Halloween

I can't decide what Alley was more excited about today...playing outside, seeing "friends" (everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, who walked by today she claimed were friends coming to see her!), giving out candy or going to church (which she asks to do everyday).  Whatever it was from, it was infectious and we all seemed to have had a good day. Of course my excitement and enthusiasm today could have had something to do with the fact that BOTH girls decided to sleep in until after 7am...or possibly the huge amounts of sugar consumed between Friday afternoon and now...it's anyone's guess;) 

After nap we got the girls dressed up and ready for some early Trick-or-Treating. We decided to make it a short and sweet night. Both girls were perfectly happy to just get a small taste of walking around asking for candy. 

Alley super excited about seeing "friends"

 I just can't pass up her cheesiness:)

It was Kendall's bottle time, doesn't she look thrilled about Trick-or-Treating;)

Leading the way to stop number two, our friends house 

She was talking non-stop the whole way...we "might" not have been listening to her...

Here we are at "Uncle Phil and Aunt Jess's" house - we can't seem to get her to stop calling them Aunt and Uncle! Anyway, she adores them and their kids and talks tirelessly about them. So we definitely had to make them one of the three houses we hit up:)

saying "trick-or-treat"

Kendall (much happier now that the bottle has been drained) trying to rack up on candy - sorry girl, not this year!

off to our last stop...Granny's

Alley checking to make sure the candy was still in there...No Alley, mommy hasn't gotten to your bucket yet;)

Kendall showing off for Granny...look, almost no hands;)

Since we didn't have time to carve our pumpkins (which I feel bad about!), I thought we do something fun and seasonal for dinner. Alley and I made BBQ pizza and made a jack-o-lantern face with the cheese:) It's a sad replica of one, but it will do...besides, it was yummy.

 After dinner, the Trick-or-Treaters began to come in droves. Alley had the most fun handing out the candy. She absolutely LOVED it!!! I think this was definitely the highlight of the day. She was so excited when people started to come towards our house, she even ran to meet some halfway so she could hand them their candy! But if you had a mask on, you would not get the same reception! They scared her to death. She wasn't about to give them candy until they removed their masks. She started calling out to them "show your face", then after they removed their masks she would give them candy. Too cute:) We ran out of candy fast, so the night was a quick but enjoyable one. I hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween:)

Early Halloween

Happy Early Halloween:) This "holiday" is not really one I tend to celebrate or think much about. To me it's just the halfway point to Chirstmas;) Just teasing...sort of. No really, I've never really been much for dressing up, going out and begging people for candy. Don't get me wrong, I love the candy part...I can't get enough of M&M's:)...but other than that, not so much a holiday I look forward to each year. Besides, I hate being scared. With that being said, and my opinion of it stated, I have to allow Alley to be a child and enjoy this holiday until she is too old to dress up and beg;)

Andy and I were both able to participate in the celebrations the daycare put on. This morning the older classes at daycare went to Trinity Missions and Trick-or-Treated with the residence. Andy was able to escape from work to capture Alley's first time Trick-or-Treating. He said she was so cute. Here are some pictures of her morning fun.

Alley (a butterfly/fairy/whatever you want to call it) and her best bud Ava (Minnie Mouse) waiting to begin...don't ask who the creepy one is...no clue:)

 and they are off...Alley is very unsure of what's going on

looking around and checking out the scene

Trick-or-treat

such a nice man - Thanks:)

Alley and her buddy, Stryder

Cheese:)

After nap time, Alley's class had a Halloween party. I was able to make it for that and even Kendall got to join in. She was super bummed that she couldn't eat all the yummy treats everyone had brought. Next best thing, Yogurt bites;)

Look at our cute puff-a-lump the pumpkin:)

Happy Halloween

Party party...yum-yum:)

Alley and Ava eating "dirt"

our failed attempt at getting the girls to sit for a picture!

After the party, Alley went with Ava and her family to Centra Southside Hospital for their Halloween celebration. She had a blast dancing, getting her face painted, playing in giant blow-up bouncies and eating. Thanks Tibbs family for including Alley in your family!! She LOOOOOOVED it!!
Overall we had a great day of partying and fun. All of us are tired and ready for bed;) Fun day!

Weekend Away

What??!! A weekend without kids? In a hotel room?? Eating out every meal???!!! Count me in!!!;) Have I ever told you how much I love hotels and eating out?!...;) 

Yes, Andy and I escaped and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I have no shame in saying that I needed this time to myself to be with Andy. No snotty noses to wipe, no hurrying around so we don't miss nap-time, no whining because of hunger (well, I might have done a little of that...), no packing a duffle bag just for a trip to the grocery store, nobody clinging to me saying "no, MY momma" to another child. Yes, a break was needed!:) Don't worry though, those two little cling-on's had plenty of fun with Mimi and Papa...in fact, I don't think they even realized or cared that we were gone! (sniff, sniff...) 

On Friday, Andy and I went off to Baltimore to take part in a marriage retreat put on by LifeWay. It was a wonderful weekend and we came back completely refreshed and ready to meet the challenges of everyday life. After one day back in the real world...I think I'm ready for another weekend away;)

Here are some photos from the girl's time with Mimi and Papa.

Oh how Kendall loves watermelon! She is DEFINITELY my child;)

 Alley patiently waiting to eat

 yeah Kendall, you better hold on tight! That sister of yours really likes to rock hard and fast on that rocking horse!

 Big sissy showing little K how it's done

sporting their pumpkin hats

 Alley waiting patiently for watermelon...she's a melon lover too:)

sisterly love...gotta love it!!

Zoo Fun

Yesterday we took our first trip to the Richmond Zoo! We've been talking about going ever since Alley was a baby, but we never got our act together enough to make it over there. Finally we made it! Since Andy was out of town on Saturday, we met up with Alley's best bud and her sister and mom and took a trip to the zoo. What a BEAUTIFUL day for the zoo:)! After stuffing our bellies full of pancakes and hash browns, we were ready to start our adventure. We got there right when it opened (which was a fabulous idea!) and were able to really enjoy the sights without many people around. The weather was amazing and cool. It didn't start warming up until we were ready to leave...and that's when the crowds of families starting coming. Kendall just hung out in her stroller and Alley and Ava acted like twin sisters...one minute they couldn't hug enough, the next minute,"mommy, she's touching/looking at me"...they are hilarious!!!! Here are some pictures from the day.

"twins" watching the crazy and LOUD monkeys

all smiles and ready to begin the sight-seeing

whoa! crazy monkeys!!! Aren't they precious;)

umm, mom...what are they doing?

cheesey cheese

helpful big sister and what's up with Alley's face?;) I told her to smile...??!!

Checking out the tigers...right after this picture, the tiger popped up in their face and stared at them...can we say freak out?!!

looking at the "deer"

I just thought this was silly...

okay, this is not a zoom in...I was actually that close. You can feed the giraffes and they are ALL up in your business!

This is what Kendall was doing the whole time...just so content to hang out and play with her toys

"helping" feed the giraffes...they were kinda freaked out by the loooooong tongues

watching the alligators

sweet thing just relaxing

they were all about Kendall...just making sure she is loved on;)

We had a great time! We are definitely going to have to go back:) BUT, the next trip with the "twins" is going to HAVE to be closer to home...yikes! ;)

The Big 3-2 :)

Andy turns 32 tomorrow! I'm just sayin....;)

Because Andy will be out of town tomorrow on his birthday, we decided to celebrate it tonight with the girls. Friday nights are our traditional "forced family fun night" with pizza and a movie, so we just added a birthday celebration to it. Alley and I made yummy cupcakes for Andy and then serenaded him with a wonderful rendition of "Happy Birthday". We chowed down on the cupcakes and then couldn't hold Alley back any longer...it was time for presents! She is definitely my child...we're all about "helping" the birthday boy/girl open their presents;) Every family needs a control freak...or someone who is perfectly fine with taking charge...;) (I think we have two....)

presenting daddy with our yummy cupcakes

Oh so proud of herself

snuggles before eating

gotta give daddy some sugar:)

"helping" daddy open gifts

Andy, all I can say is that I love you more and more with each day that passes. Thank you for being an amazing husband and father:) I am truly blessed!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY