Halloween Weekend

We had quite the adventures this Halloween Weekend. Our adventures started as Trevor and Marian hosted a Halloween Party in their barn. Since Josh's whole family lives out by them, it was nice that my family actually came out and stayed with Marian & Trev for the weekend. It was fun having almost the entire family from both sides at the same place at the same time. The kids LOVED it!  We had lots of time before the party to visit as we were setting things up and getting in our costumes. I was a baby and Josh was some funky Lion's fan. The girls were thrilled to once again  get in their princess outfits and have their dragon go with them.  We also had lots of fun during the party. The girls were so excited for Carson and Blake to come so they could play together. The kids played tag together with a giant spider that they found. You could tell even by the very start of the party that they had already had WAY too much candy. Whew, sugar high! They then all thought it was great to use the hay bales as their own personal stage and sing songs. We got quite the renditions of ABC song, Jesus Loves Me, etc.  We were up until 11pm. The last hour Caleb was so full of energy- definitely got a second wind so that he was literally running around like a crazy kid.  It was great though since the next day they slept in until 9:30am! I'll take it! Marian & Trev finally told everyone that they are expecting a baby in May- YAY! I am so excited to become an auntie again! :) The girls are determined to having a baby girl cousin, while all the boys want another boy.

Lots of family photo shots!

Our family

Our two princesses and cowboy! :)

Caleb the dragon is sneaking up on cowboy Carson who has just rescued the princesses, Kay & Grace.

Grace dancin'

Ahhh.... he's gonna get me!

Caleb & Blake picking hay

Grace, Caleb, Kay & Carson ready to eat some candy!

Ashley & Grace

Nana Cheryl & Blake

A baby?! Yep, Marian & T are having a baby in May!! :)

yeah, man....

Katie, Josh, Jason and mom eating dinner

Howdy partner- time to get some grub!

They are blur they are running so fast to get away from the sheriff. Tag your it!

Cousins!!

Me with my boy (who kept yanking out my pig tails! :)

More family! We look like a crazy bunch!

Quite the costumes, eh?

Too much partying for grandpa and Caleb!

Katie, Grace, and Kay prepping the cookies for the party

Tada- final product!

Grandma Karin & Kay - say cheese!

Caleb hiding in his camo with  Scott

Kay, Grace, and Carson busting out a verse of the 'ABC song'

We were a swinging - (check out Caleb's face- geez!)

Getting ready for the party.... scary!

A nun & a plug.... hmmmm....

Definitely something wrong with this picture!

Baby boy or baby girl?!

Grace & Carson busting out another song! Little performers!

I could have danced all night....

Kay & Grace busting out their moves

Grace, my beautiful ballerina

Kay spinning

Since Grace and Kayleigh's birthdays are so close together, it is a struggle to figure out what to get them each year. I really like to get them things they will both enjoy and need. This year I thought I had come up with a great idea.

Over the last year my girls spend ever waking moment either pretending they are princesses or ballerinas. They LOVE dancing and twirling around. So what idea do I have for this years birthday and Christmas present you ask...Dance Lessons!! :) I, of course, am instantly thrilled with the idea. They will be able to interact with other kids their age, get out of the house doing something fun and active during the long winter months, and best of all, get to dance to their hearts content! I can get them dance shoes and outfits for their birthday and Christmas and then tell them about the lessons.  I love it; they will love it- it's perfect.....

.....perfect until I start calling around for prices. :(  The cheapest I have found will be over $100/ month for 4 months and that doesn't even include the other $100 for costumes and another ??? for outfit and shoes. It would be bare minimum over $500 for one session!!!  Yeah, WAY out of the price range that we can afford. :(  I am probably as disappointed (if not more) than they would be if they knew about it. How do people afford this?! I about had a heart attack. I still haven't given up all hope. I am praying there is a place around the area that is a bit cheaper or has shorter winter sessions. Anyone know of any good (cheap) places to take dance lessons for 4 year olds?

Pumpkin Walk

Grace was greatly enjoying her cider and donuts

Grace, Kay, and Caleb are ready for a night of trick or treating!:)

Our Halloween has officially started. Tonight we went to the Nursery's Pumpkin Walk. We go every year with my parents and I love it. They have jack-o-lanterns lighting the entire path and costumed people handing out candy along the way. There are cool props and even a troll under the bridge. The kids loved it!

After going to the store at the last minute and realizing there was only a duck and dinosaur even close to Caleb's size, we realized that our options for costume themes were limited.  We finally decided that the girls would be princesses and Caleb would be a dragon. Yes, that meant we are pretending the dinosaur costume is a dragon (they are similar, right?) The sad part is that the dinosaur costume was only in size 12 months.... yeah,Caleb is definitely 18 months + now. Needless to say it is a tad on the short side. He is still cute as a button though. The little tail on it just cracks me up every time I see it. So funny!
The girls are more than thrilled to be princesses. An opportunity to wear pretty dresses with crowns and wands out in public is like a dream come true for them.  I was trying to hold off on this costume for a few more years, but when we could only find a 'dragon' costume, it was too good to not do the princesses. 

It was actually a pretty rainy night, which was unfortunate. While the girls sang "Rain, rain go away" all the way to the Pumpkin Walk, the rain didn't listen. We practiced saying 'trick or treat' all the way there, yet when it came time to say it, the girls were completely mute. Oh well, at least we have two more times to practice before Halloween.

After lots of trick or treating, the kids had a great time eating donuts and drinking cider.   Caleb decided that he really preferred the sprinkles on top to the actual donut so needless to say he ended up as a sticky mess. He was cute as a button though. Overall, it was a wonderful night and a great start to Halloween.

C

Help... daddy is going to get me!

YUM! This dragon likes donuts!

Hmm.. I'll take twizzlers too!

Princess Kay

Princess Grace waiting for candy

Kay, Josh, Grace, Caleb, and me.

The king and queen with their princesses and dragon

Grandpa & grandma with their princesses, Grace & Kay, & Caleb dragon.

Little moments

 Below is a random glimpse into the last week. With all the craziness of break ins, insurance, weddings, showers, and family fun, it has been hard finding a moment to take time to enjoy the little moments. Below is a glimpse into some of my favorite moments over the last week. :)

I found Grace on the floor by the door wall.  When I asked her what she was doing, she responded, "Mom, I am sun soaking with Halo. He decided to be my foot rest." This from my child that has never suntanned in her life- in fact she is covered in hats and sunscreen whenever she is in the sun. What can I say; we are quickly becoming sun deprived!

Popcorn and movie night. I love movie night as much as they do. They get ready for bed themselves quickly and willingly, we get to eat popcorn, and there is lots of cuddling (after they get their greasy popcorn fingers cleaned up!)

This is one of the first times Caleb has been allowed to participate in movie and popcorn night. He actually sat in his chair and cuddled with us for most of the time. He even got his own popcorn- a first for him! :)

Wedding weekend

 This weekend we had the pleasure of traveling up to Lansing to celebrate my cousin's wedding. The wedding was at Eagle Eye golf course. It made Josh drool and greatly regret he didn't bring his golf clubs. While he spent most of the night watching the MSU game on his phone, the rest of us danced the night away. Being that we were near MSU with a bunch of State fans, the whole wedding went nuts when they won the game. It was quite fun! :) While it was not much fun driving home afterwards while everyone else crashed at the hotel, it was definitely a great night!

Mom & dad - "say cheese!"

The happy couple!

Josh was more concerned with getting a picture of the golf course in the background then a picture of us! :)

All 7 of us together in 1 spot!

The 5 kids! :)