{ Preschool Pumpkin Patch }

Hallie had a little field trip to the pumpkin patch with her preschool. It was fun that I was able to come along. They got to pick a small pumpkin out and then paint them at school. She loved it!

She was the last one to finally decide on a pumpkin. It was hilarious. She picked so many and then when she was about to buy it, decided it wasn't the right one. Oh dear, she has already gotten my indecisivness.

Her little friend was so cute. They were "buddies" at the pumpkin patch and he kept jumping in every picture I tried to take. It was cute. It's fun to see them be friends at school now. I love hearing them say hi to each other and go off to play.

Lots more Halloween and birthday pics to come...



{10.11.10}

{ PEYTON DANCING }

Hallie started up dance class again and last Friday was her third time going. I think Peyton was sick of taking "Hallie to dance class" "Hallie to soccer" "Hallie to preschool" and thought quick about how she was going to fix that.

She came into my room saying "Yook Mama! I ready to go! I did it all by MYSELF!" (add dramatic arms flying in the air). She managed to find an old leotard and some ballet shoes (that were 4 sizes too big), get dressed all by herself, and was so excited because she thought she was going to dance class too! Well she managed to charm her way into class. Hallie ran in ahead of her. Peyton sits down, gets her shoes on again and books it into the room before I could even stop her. Her teacher is super nice and let her join in. She LOVED it! It was so cute to watch. She thought she was just as big as all the other girls and had so much fun. Seriously, she was on cloud nine all day! She wouldn't let me wash her hand forever because she didn't want her stamp to come off. When she noticed it was off she said all dramatically, "Oh NO! I go back to dance class!"
THANK YOU THANK YOU NANCI!

I wish I would've known so I could've brought my video camera and/or camera. These are from my phone, so not great quality, but you can see her. Hallie is next to her in all but one.
(remember to push pause on the music sidebar)

Silly Dancing (that would be Peyton you can hear)

And some pics from the phone: (sorry for the quality)

 Pretty sure she put her leotard on backwards :).

I love my little ballerinas. So lucky to have them.

{ Sea World Halloween }

I took the girls to Sea World the other day to see all the fun Halloween festivities they have going on. We had such a fun time. I love spending time with my girls.

 I didn't take many pics. Somedays, it's nice to just enjoy and not always worry about getting a good picture in.

Hallie LOVES her "binoclers" and had the great idea to bring them with us. I caught her at all the shows and animals using them like this and saying, "Let me get a closer look." She's so funny.

They had fun going to "FantaSea" trick or treating. Unfortunately my camera got put on some weird setting (hhmmm...couldn't have been Peyton?!...little stinker) and this is the only picture that turned out. I couldn't believe Hallie was finally brave enough to get close enough to all the people. Peyton wouldn't get near them, but sure loved grabbing the goodies and running while yelling, "shank ew".

And of course we had to stick around for the Elmo's Countdown to Halloween show.

{10.16.10)}

{ Sleeping Beauty }

Everyone tells me when I was little I could fall asleep anywhere. We have lots of pictures of me asleep in the weirdest places. On the arm of a chair, the bar next to my bowl of cereal, the stairs, Grandma's closet etc, etc. Well, it looks like Peyton and I have alot in common. I can't tell you how many times I will walk around the corner to find her asleep on the tile floor, in little corners of my room, closet, etc.

It's been since about May that Peyton discovered how to climb out of her crib and pack n' play. Hallie had been wanting bunk beds for awhile now and so while we were in AZ (in June), Aaron built the girls some bunkbeds (yes, I'm aware I still need to post them and the playhouse, and my whole house for that matter :)). They love them.

Peyton did really good in her bed for awhile, but lately she has been really struggling. As soon as she's tucked into bed, the same routine begins everynight.

P: "Hallie. (no answer) Hallie! (no answer)"

H: "What! I'm trying to sleep!"

P:  "uh, I hungy."

H:  "Ahh! Peyton you're always hungy. You can eat in the morning."

silence for a few seconds

P: "Hallie. Hallie!"
H: "What!"
P: "I wanna snuggle"

P: "Hallie. Hallie."

H: "What Peyton?"

P: "uh. pickle."

(lots of giggles from both of them)

P: "Hallie. Hallie!"

H: "What Peyton?"

P: "uh..caca!"

(even more giggles.)

Needless to say, it continues and the going to bed is not happening. I go in, give my two sense, the door is shut and they go to bed. Or so I think. When I'm going to kiss them goodnight before I hit the sack, I will be welcomed with one of the following pictures. Not sure why she thinks the hard cold tile floor is more comfy than her bed. I think she just wants to get as close to me as she can without getting in trouble.

Apparently, she's getting a little more daring because as I was sitting on the couch watching tv, I watched her tip toe little by little around the corner by the door. She just stood there forever. I pretended I didn't see her. She didn't say anything and then finally decided to go to sleep. Silly girl.



good thing she remembered to bring her "SO cold water" this time :).



And if you're wondering...Yes, these are all on different nights. She just has a MAJOR obsession with Hallie's Tiger and Pooh nightgown. She has it on before I even say "jammie time". Lots of afternoons, I'll find her clothes on the floor in a pile and she is either naked or in the nightgown. Silly girl.

She thought she'd be funny and pretend that she was asleep on Aaron (who had crashed on their floor after a LONG day).

Here's a few more I found on my phone. She's so funny. During nap time, she crawls out of her bed, plays in her room for a bit and then finally decides to crash I guess. Silly girl.

{9.28.10}

{ MORE SOCCER }

I scanned this from her professional photos.



Hallie: "Mom, I don't want to go to soccer today."
Me: "How come?"

Hallie: "I don't like it berry much. The games are just SOOO long!"

Me: "Well, we have to finish out the season. But if you don't like it we don't have to sign you up again."

Hallie: "okay."

We go to the game. She does awesome and is actually really good. Lots of people are telling her good job, etc. etc. We start to walk to the car.

Hallie: "Mom, I was just joking! I teased you!"
Me: "What are you talking about?"
Hallie: "I actually LOVE soccer! I was kiddin this morning."




Peyton had fun cheering her on "Go Howie! Go Howie!"



{ Visit from the Olsen bunch }

My family (minus the brothers. darn work.) came to visit at the end of September. It was SO MUCH FUN! Going through all my pics makes me miss having them here. They all stayed in Bandera at the Flying L Ranch. The girls and I spent alot of our time up there with them. Aaron was working Trauma but was on nights so he was able to spend some time with them too when he wasn't sleeping. It was fun that my sister Natalie and her whole family could come and see what Texas was all about. Hallie and Peyton had a countdown going forever. They couldn't wait to see their cousins.

WHAT WE DID:

Had my ultrasound to find out it's a boy. Yes, I realize I am already huge. This pregnancy is SO different. I was looking at my blog post of when I was pregnant with Hallie and Peyton and I was nowhere near this big. Oh well. I'm lucky to have a sweet baby growing inside me. I guess I'll take the big belly. It was fun to be able to announce it at one time rather than making a bazillion phone calls.

Celebrated Chelsey's bday. Her bday was the day before she came. I made a cake and the kids had a blast. My girls get so into birthdays. Peyton would NOT let me take the birthday signs down for like 2 weeks. She walked around the house saying, "No mama! It's Chelsey's birthday!" Aaron finally couldn't handle it and took them down amidst Peyton's screams. Sorry Chels.

I am SO happy to say that Peyton LOVED Kate this time. They got along great and had a blast together.

P.S. I was making waffles the other day and Peyton thought she'd try Grandma's little game out again. Except it was Baking Soda. Not quite the same face. ha ha. It was hilarious.

Their place had a fun little water park that we all enjoyed. It had slides, lazy river, wave pool, and a fun pool for kids. They loved it.

My dad got these pics of them. I'm so glad he captured this. They had country music playing super loud over the intercom and my girls were hilarious dancing in the water. Peyton got quite into it.

Since I'm prego and already need a doughnut for my bum (yes, don't laugh), I volunteered to be the babysitter while the rest of the adults and Carston went horseback riding. They had a good time and did some skeet shooting after.

We played lots of games! I'm an addict. Get me started and I can't stop. Our new favorite is Ticket to Ride. Jared and Chels brought the expansion and it was awesome. Bonanza was so fun too. And this one in the pic. I can't remember what it's called. I was a little slow at it, but it was fun. P.S. Aaron, you look stoned. Maybe you should stop working 80+ hours a week.

I don't know if you could even consider my mom's trip a "vacation". She was pretty much the entertainer and caretaker of all the kids. She's the best. The kids had a blast with her and Grandpa making crafts and going on a treasure hunt, etc. Every five seconds I would hear a kid say, "Grandma, could you please get me___". She's the best.

 


It's blurry, but still cute. I love my family



We went to Pump It Up. It was so fun! Seriously, I felt like a kid again. Too bad my kids are wussies and wouldn't dare go down the big slides. I finally forced them. Sometimes, ya just gotta do that with my girls. Natalie got Peyton to go down all by herself. But I didn't get any pics. She was really proud of herself.

She climbed up this, turned around at me and said, "cheese". 

Peyton was running around with her tongue out the entire time. I'm amazed she didn't fall and bite it in half.



 
 



Peyton LOVED jumping and running around. She was hilarious.



Avery and Hallie were inseparable the entire trip. They are so cute together.



Hallie was too busy in her own little world  to let me snap any pics. They are off flying to the next room.



  

Checking out the ponies at the Ranch.

Had lots of late nights. Can you tell?

My sister is the best and cut my nasty hair. Thanks Cho! I love my sisters. I'm so glad Hallie and Peyton have each other. I can't imagine growing up without my sisters. I don't know what I'd do without them.

We also did some yummy eating out, shopping (while John took all the kids to a movie by himself. He's awesome!), and relaxing.

Saying goodbye to the fam! Sorry John that you're taking the picture. And Peyton was taking a much needed nap.

The downfalls:

We were having the effects of the hurricane right when they came. So it poured rain and was super humid/hot pretty much everyday they were here! Bummer. It ruined some of our plans but we still had fun. It made for some cool skies though. Of course right after they leave, we had the perfect weather the entire next few weeks. Mid 80's to 90's, sunny, not humid. It's been awesome weather lately. I'm lovin it.

 
Also, I'm beginning to think my family has a curse on Hallie. Hallie rarely gets the stomach flu. In fact the only times she gets it (minus one) is when we're with the family! No joke! Hallie and Peyton spent the second night with my family so they could babysit while I went to my ultrasound appt. the next morning. When I went to their place after, they told me Hallie had been up all night puking! Poor thing. And poor poor family who had to clean it all up. They were so sweet. Hallie was devastated that she was going to have to miss preschool. Well of course, I got it next, then Jared and Chelsey too. I felt so bad. Luckily it didn't go through everyone. But it wasn't fun.

Thanks so much for coming everyone! We had so much fun!

 {Sept. 18}