Halloween...

Halloween...

Before...

...and After...

Trick or Treat!

I didn't used to be a big fan of Halloween, but boy does having kids change that!! What a fun holiday now! Ella loved it. It was so fun to see her really "get" Halloween this year. She was great at saying "trick or treat" -- at least until we actually got to the houses, and then she was a little shy. And, for the second year in a row, I got her in a panda costume! She was going to be a duck in the costume her Mimi got her, but when we asked her if she wanted to be a duck or a panda, she said - "panda!" Luckily, we had a panda costume that we bought last year that was too big. And, she got to wear the duck costume to her My Gym party on Friday!

Think I can still get her in a panda costume when she is 16?

Ready to go!

Trick or Treat!

They close down Lee Street in Old Town for Halloween. So fun, and tons and tons of families all dressed up! And amazing Halloween decorations! Maybe when you buy a house on this street you sign a contract agreeing to partake in the festivities...

A view of the street.

Talking with the wildlife.

Waiting for her turn.

Trick or treat!

But the night wasn't over yet! Zoe (aka, Dorothy) came to visit when we got home!

Sharing :)

Dreams Really Can Come True...

Ella's lifelong (i.e., 21-month-long) dream of riding a "neigh" came true this weekend. The Washington International Horse Show was in town -- and they offered pony rides! Ella was thrilled. She was so excited that we waited in line to ride the pony again a second time! After riding the pony, we went into the horse show to watch a little of the competition. She loved it!

Beautiful Day for a Bike Ride - and Pumpkins!

What a beautiful fall weekend! On Sunday, we went on a bike ride into Old Town.

Our first stop was at the bike store to get Ella and Mama helmets. Much to our surprise - and relief - Ella loved her helmet! She insisted that everyone wear their "hats" when we were riding bikes.

Next stop was for crepes. Yum!

Then we carved pumpkins. Ella made one attempt at helping Daddy remove the inside of the pumpkin, and then wanted to know if she could wash her hands.

The pumpkin family! Mama, Ella and Dada. Emma wants to know where her pumpkin is.

Ella loved seeing the pumpkins like this!

Yay pumpkins!

p.s. -- Ella -- tonight when I was rocking you to sleep, we had an almost 45 minute conversation. You kept asking for one more song, and we sang itsy bitsy spider, rock-a-bye baby, somewhere over the rainbow, and did "here is the church, here is the steeple..." all at your request. Then you pointed to my neck and said - "Mama's neck. Mama's necklace?" I showed you my necklace and said Dada gave it to me as a present. You said - "Present from Dada? Happy Birthday Mama!" Too funny, I guess you've fully associated birthdays with presents :) I love you Ella!!

Apples, Pumpkins, and Hayrides, Oh My!

We spent this beautiful Saturday apple picking with the Ogden family! We had a great time. The kiddos ate their fill of apples, we took a hayride to the pumpkin patch, and ate all sorts of apple treats.

Do we have to put them in the bucket, or can we just eat them?

Taking a break from picking.

Little Miss Taylor.

Way up high!

Hayride!

Exploring.

Mamas and daughters.

Where's Taylor?

Three kids for sale.

Work in Progress...

The blog is a work in progress..... don't worry, the mismatched colors will be fixed soon (or as soon as we have time!)

A Wahoowa Weekend!

We spent the weekend in C'ville! It was a beautiful weekend for tailgating, cheering on the 'Hoos (despite a rather sad game), visiting with Aunt Farrell and Uncle David, running on the Lawn, and eating some of our favorite C'ville treats!

Ready for the tailgate!

Helping with bearpong.

Playing Bearpong with Lilly Kate.

Getting ready to walk to the game.

So this is where Mom went to school, huh?

Looks like a pretty cool place!

Goofy with Papa.

Big girl!

Family!

Run, run, run!