Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! What a busy day this has been. I am so proud of Zoey's costume and got so many compliments on it!

Chris picked up the girls about 3:30 got them dressed with Bobbie's help and brought them over to work to trick-or-treat there. It was fun to show them off. We headed from there over to Aunt Sarah's, then to McDonald's to have dinner with Nana, then to Papa Craig's, then to Grandma and Gpa H's, then to Aunt Jana's, then home! We did have a few trick or treaters here as well.

Zoey and Cadee had lots of fun, Zoey is really starting to get the hang of this, and Cadee pretty much has a good time whereever! :)

Tonight I am making up my portion of the Amish Friendship bread. That is where we get a little bit of batter in a ziplock bag, and follow the instructions for 10 days, and then tonight I get to bake it and pass it out again. I got to try some of my co-worker Jayme's bread, and it totally convinced me it is worth the trouble.

Practice, practice

I figured I better be getting the girls's costumes out and make sure I didn't have any detrimental surprises come Halloween. :) I was a bit nervous because when my mom and I went shopping for Cadee's costume, we apparantly just went for the cutest, not most size appropriate costume! haha We bought the cutest skunk costume, and a couple of months ago (when we bought it) it probably would have kinda worked, but now that Halloween is here, it is barely working, but after cutting holes in the feet for her feet to get through, I think we can make it work for a couple of hours.

Zoey is going to be a cowgirl. I am really excited about that this year. I'm not exactly suzie homemaker, and I didn't make this costume, but it is more put together than the Target specials I have bought in the past.

I had leather chaps and vest from when I was a little girl, and they fit Zoey great right now. We bought her some cowgirl boots, and a hat, and are practicing our braids, so that we can really "ride em cowgirl" tomorrow night.

So I can't resist passing along a few more pics. Love to you all!

Weekend Wrapup

Goodness, feels like it has been a busy weekend. (and I didn't even get a test run of the girls's halloween costumes like I had hoped, good thing I still have a few days knowing I have some altering of Cadee's to do yet).

Today we got up and went to Church and Sunday school, and this afternoon we had the opportunity to go and see Misery at Topeka Civic Theatre. We love to go to the plays and laughing matters shows there. They did an excellent job. It was really fun to watch and got me more into the Halloween spirit. We had our second "paid" babysitter this afternoon. My old bosses daughter Hannah came out to watch the girls and sounds like everything went really well. I always get so nervous on these things, I don't know why.

I suppose I should sign off for this evening and get things ready for another busy week. Hugs and take care!

Happy Birthday Dana

Saturday was my friend Dana's 28th birthday, Dana and I have been good friends since college and have been celebraing our birthday's together pretty much since then, so I always look forward to it. Our kids are close in age and have a great time together. They came over on Saturday evening for a meal and some cake and ice cream. Silly me, I was so proud of myself for making my first cake with egg whites only! (Jana, if you are reading this, you inspired me by sharing that you had done that when we celebrated Matt's birthday) What can I say, its the little accomplishments for me when it comes to the home-making part of my life. :)

Food, cake, ice cream, video games, toys, and much visiting, we had a great evening.

(Zoey and Cadee hanging on the couch while we vacuum, getting ready for company)

(Cadee & Jena catching up on the big news)

Edkin Pumpkin Party!

On Friday night we had a great time. After work, Wayne, Kelly, Lexi, and their family invited us over for a Pumpkin Party. I had never been to one had had such a great time. They served a great pumpkin and fall themed meal, decorated cookies, and then we decorated pumpkins. (Wayne is helping Zoey frost her huge pumpkin shaped cookie)

Chris choose a cool haunted house design to carve out which I think was a little more time consuming than he had planned, but it turned out great! (Zoey and Lexi eating their giant cookies -- check out the frosting on Zoey's nose!)

Zoey wasn't so sure about cleaning out the pumpkin, she stuck her hand in there a few times, but definitely preferred to use the scoop over getting her hands all dirty. She also thought that carving with Dad was less fun than just really gettin in there and painting it.

Cadee and I just had a great time watching and taking pictures.

Goodby Max

Just feeling a little sad today because it has been a heck of a week. We decided this week that Max wasn't working out with our family. We have a lot going on, and kittens need more attention than we can give right now. Willie and Max didn't turn out to be the long lost buddies that we were hoping. Willie was already getting attention deprived, and this wasn't helping.

We put an ad in the paper, and when we got home from work, there was 4 messages. The first callback we made wanted him. It will be a good home for him, with another cat for him to play with. Zoey took it pretty well, just had a lot of "why" questions (as any 3 year old would).

So that went better than expected, but then this morning (after oversleeping) we carpooled, because we are going to friends after work for a pumpkin carving get together. Chris asked this morning what car we wanted to take, so I said his (gets better gas mileage). I feel bad because we hit a dog on the way into town. Just crusining along on 77th street about 60 mph (still dark) and there was a large brown dog dorking around in the street. Chris tried to slow down and the dog tried to jump off to the left, but we still caught him on the corner. We turned around and told the nearest house, and the lady thought that it might have been her neighbors dog. Chris walked the ditches but couldn't find him. Zoey said "that made me scared and sad" I told her its okay because I feel the same way. The front bumper of Chris's new (July 07 purchase) car is messed up too.

I feel bad because
1. Poor dog, I love dogs.
2. We carpoooled, and Chris wouldn't have taken that road
3. We could have taken my car, which may have taken the hit a little better
4. I called the body shop and a new bumper will be $1000! ouch!! (its only a cosmetic thing, but still really stinks that his car is so new)

Just not the best way to start a Friday. We do have a fun weekend planned ahead, so hopefully things start to get better.

Pumpkin Patch

Well, not really a patch, but at least we didn't pick them up at Wal-Mart! :) There is a local church here that we have gone to buy our pumpkins from every year since Zoey has been with us, and I am more than willing to pay their prices to have it go to a good cause, and the photo opportunities have been great!

We decided that we would have time and did stop on our way home after the circus. We picked out 2 big pumpkins for carving, and Zoey got to pick out her "special" pumpkin from the smaller ones. She loves doing that.

So many good pics, I'll just let the rest speak for themselves. I love fall and this time of year!

Happy Halloween!

Lovin the NFL, and Random

I just had a few random pictures I wanted to post out here mainly for my Mom. Mom loves her Broncos and bought Cadee this outfit. Cadee wore it for the first time the other day so I took some pictures for mom. Since this is a great place for me to share pictures, here you go mom!

We are a little of GO Bears, GO Chiefs, and GO Broncos around here so its all good, I just really enjoy watching NFL football.

The other picture is of both girls from the other morning. Zoey was having trouble waking up because she had gotten up too many times during the night, and Cadee was being her own cheerful morning self, so I put her in bed with Zoey to try and wake her up. It was pretty cute.

Circus, Circus, Circus!

Today we had our first family outing, outing is maybe not the word I was looking for, but it stands out for me as the first time we took all 4 of us out for some planned recreation. We had a great time.

"The Greatest Show on Earth" came to the Expo Center here in Topeka, and so we bought tickets. Several years ago before Chris and I had kids, we went with our friend's Dana and Corey and took their little 2 year old at the time, and I really enjoyed it, I knew that Zoey was to the age that she might enjoy it too. Cadee I wasn't so sure....

Cadee sure surprised me, she was enthralled, clapping all the time. Of course one of her favorite activities is clapping, she claps for all kinds of reasons, but it was so fun to see both kids watching so closely. Until into the second half, when the fact that Cadee hadn't had her afternoon nap started to kick in. Unfortunately Cadee has never been much of a cuddler, especially when she is trying to go to sleep. So despite all efforts of trying to hold back, she fell asleep on Daddy, except when people started clapping, and she was jolted awake flapping her arms. Zoey sure liked the Elephants show, and I think that she enjoyed it all. It was fun to eat the popcorn, watch the all the activities. And we all enjoyed the music, singing, dancing, and clowns.

I'm so glad I got to experience this with them, its a good time I won't forget. :)

Flu Shots

Zoey and Cadee went in for their flu shots yesterday afternoon with daddy. Zoey was able to get the whole shot since she had it last year, and Cadee got her first half. The nurses were so impressed both girls did so well, neither cried! They said that it is so rare to even get one kid like that let alone two.

Chris also got a well deserved compliment about how well he does with the girls. I am so proud of him and so lucky to have him as my husband, I know that I don't tell him that enough.

This morning Zoey's bottom and arm broke out in a little rash, I'm not sure if it was caused by the shot or not, but hopfeully it is a temporary thing.

Cadee

Look at me under the table!!




Just wanted to post and update and some updated Cadee pictures since I have not taken the opportunity to give new pics.

She seems to be doing much better since seeing the doctor and those medines must really be helping. So nice to see her doing better.

Cadee did finally get in her 3 and 4th tooth this week. She got in her first 2 teeth first part of July and then stalled out. Her 3rd and 4th tooth came in on top off to the side, not on top of the exisiting teeth like you might think they should be. It is so cute though.

Her latest thing is that she likes to make a fishy face with a kissy noise! :) I just love it, and I got a good pic of it, and some video too.

Here are some other great Cadee pictures as well....

Hey Willie....

Cadee and her good buddy Jena :)

Awanas's

My little girl Zoey is already in her first "club", outside of Sunday School her first activity on her own, and she just LOVES it, she lives for it. She remembers and counts down the days till she gest to go! She knows "3 more day at Bobbie's, till I get to go" "2 days, etc" She knows that she gets to go all by herself. I am excited for her to branch out and meet more kids in are area.

Awana's is a great organization that I remember being in when I was a kid. It is a non-denominatal Christian organization where kids get to learn about God and how much he loves them. It starts the foundation for learning verses is great exposure.

http://www.awanas.com/

Good friends of ours, Dana and Corey, encouraged us to get Zoey involved, they help with the organization and their boys have be involved for the past several years.





Zoey is in Cubbies and will be so for this year and next. She has a vest that she gets to wear and earns patches by completing certain activities. Thought I would share some pictures.

Max & Willie

So we've adopted a kitten, not sure what to think about him, but he is pretty darn cute. I've been a little reluctant to show my enthusiasiam because of a bad cat experience I had growing up, but he is really cute.

A couple of weeks ago my boss had a department get together out at his farm, and Zoey just fell in love with this kitten and he was so tolerant just letting him her carry him all around. You don't find many cats that will put up with the roughness of a 3 year old like that so it wasn't a week later and we asked Bill if we could adopt him. He was just glad to get one of them off his hands! :)


Willie was obviously our first born and so he has some (not much, but some :) priority, so it was so important to me and all of us that it works out. So we had Max declawed so that Willie's eyes would not be endanger.

They seem to be getting along much better than expected. Although Willie has a good 40 lbs on him, Max is definitely top dog. :) Willie has always been a big baby though, so this isn't a huge suprise. Willie is curious, and Max is tolerant but aloof. I think that it is going to work out well.



We are really enjoying the "Max & Ruby" books and tv show, so Max seemed like a great fitting name. So instead of Max and Ruby.... we have Max and Willie. :)




Cadee likes to try and touch him, but he's too quick for her. So cute though!

I'll keep you posted, but in the meantime..... "Welcome Max!"