Raggedy Ann

This is my sweet Ava as Raggedy Ann. My mom made this costume for me when I was Ava's age (31 years ago) and kept it. Now Ava can wear it! What a fun and special memory for me to share with my daughter!

Logan's fall Soccer team

Batman

As you can see Cooper loves Batman right now. Can you guess what he wanted to be for Halloween? Anyways, these pictures were all taken on different days. Every day for the last two or three weeks he has been wearing some type of Batman apparel. It's so cute. Cooper has such an imaginative personality. He flies around our yard, up into the tree house, on the playground equipment and even into his bed for nap. I just love how happy he always is! In the last picture, he is even wearing his cape to Logan's football game. Go Batman!

Less is More

Those of you who know me well, know that I don't usually take a less is more philosophy (it's something I need to work on). I love to shop at Sam's Club, my pantry and freezer are overflowing with food, I make spagetti sauce and soup in huge quantities, and when I see a sale on shirts - I like to buy two shirts in different colors instead of just one...so it begs the question, am I really saving money. It goes on and on. I was proud of myself today. I decided to make cookies with the kids this morning, which is always fun, but also stressful. It takes twice as long as normal and can get extreemly messy. So why am I proud of myself? Because instead of doubling or even tripling the recipe, I decided to just make one batch. It was terrific. Ava and Cooper helped me mix up the dough last night and today we rolled them out and cut out our favorite Halloween shapes. Parker sat nearby and watched as both kids cut cookies out of their dough. I have to say, it was fun for me and for them. Yes, it got messy, but the kids helped sweep up with their little brooms and dustpan. Today after naps we will decorate them with Logan's help. I definitely feel like less is more when it comes to making cookies. I was able to relax and enjoy the process instead of feeling like it was never-ending! So now we can enjoy our cookies and have the memorie attached to making them too! Baby steps, right!

Dad's 67th Birthday

Logan helps Papa blow out his birthday candles.

Papa reads Earl the Squirrel to Cooper and Ava.

Parker settles right in to Papa at the end of the day!

Loving their new Tree House

Randy has been hard at work for the last month building a tree house for the kids. It is now to a point where they can go in it. They are loving it already. Cooper was dressed up like Batman last night playing in it with Logan, Ava and a neighbor friend, Sawyer. Again today the kids played in it with Grant Heagney. What a great Daddy they have. I'll post more pictures as he finishes more of it!

Ava's First Haircut

Wow, how time flies! Ava just got her first haircut. Doesn't she look so grown up now (she'll be three in December). She did so well. No tears...she was actually looking forward to this (to be honest, I'm suprised...because she's like Aunt Casey, she hates having her hair combed).

Skelly's Pumpkin Patch

We took a trip to Skelly's Pumpkin Patch today and had so much fun. Randy's parents met us there. The kids enjoyed riding giant tricycles, playing in the corn box, playing on the wooden tractor, bus, ship and castle, dressing scarecrows and most of all doing the duck races. They each got to pick a pumpkin...but they had to be able to lift it into the wagon...too funny! We also enjoyed pumpkin donuts and a lunch of hot dogs, brats, pulled pork sandwiches and apple cidar...yummy! What a beautiful autumn day! I love fall!