Dress-up, Pumpkins, and Chocolate...The Best:)

We love Halloween! That does not mean that we don't always have a bit of stress trying to get everyone ready and on their way. This year Lilli was hurrying us along because her friends were waiting for her. This is actually the best picture I got of everyone together. It's really not too bad considering Lilli was the only one with her "make up" on:)

Lilli was a flapper this year. This is one of my all-time favorite Halloween costumes. Really fun:)

Lilli and her friends ready to head out and hit the trick-or-treating road. I have to admit I miss the days of all of us going out together:( I am glad the girls had fun with their friends though.

Vivien "the snow princess". Nicolette my little leopard cat...another one of my favorite costumes.

Ava was going to be the cheerleader this year. However, when we were at Costco a couple weeks before Halloween, she informed me she had ALWAYS wanted to be a poodle skirt girl...now we have a poodle skirt:)

Ava really wanted to bring her "poodle" with her and so she carried it around in her candy bag...I guess she needed more things to carry;)

Lexi was a witch...kinda...this was all of the costume she could muster. Luckily, she looked really cute. Do you notice the David pumpkin? I wonder what Archuletta would think if he new girls were carving his name into pumpkins now?

The "50's chick", snow princess, and cat...a little disheveled after a full night of trick-or-treating.

Our last stop is always Grandma's house. She always has special Halloween treats for her grandkiddies:)

It was actually almost too hot for the snow princess this year. Our weather was so warm that we welcomed the few raindrops that we got.

Oh...I love this kitty:)

A good night of trick or treats. Nicolette didn't make it to quite as many houses as her sisters. She sure had a great time though. Even though she is often so shy, she had no problem going up to the doors with her sisters and holding up her bag for treats. She also had no problem with the "tank you"...such a fun night. Happy Halloween:)

Summer

This summer my sister LaRae came for a visit. We had an awesome time running around town finding field trips to do and staying busy. One highlight is the pictures I got of these two little cousins getting bath time done. Nicolette and Ben are such cuties together. They had a great time "swimming":)

They really got into the splashing your neighbor spirit.

I think Ben thought Nicolette would never stop with the splashing.

Ben is a good sport.

He definitely figured out how to get Nicolette back. He went straight to dumping water on heads, instead of little splashes;)


Someday these two might not be thrilled with these pictures...at least I have good blackmail material;)

October 6, 2008 ~ The BIG 10!

It's true we had another b-day a couple of weeks ago. Miss Lilli has hit the big double digits.

We were at my mom's for Lilli's birthday this year. We got to invite all of the cousins! It was a great party:)


This is Lilli with her cousin Ryan. Their birthdays are only one day apart. They got to have a combined party....fun stuff!

Only in Vegas...do you get to have a swim b-day party in October;)

Everyone had fun swimming. Even Daddy ventured into the pool.

That night Lilli chose to go to the Cheesecake Factory for her birthday dinner. She invited cousin Katie to come along with her.

Lilli and Katie had some very fabulous desserts! They even wrote happy birthday on Lilli's dessert plate...lucky stuff.

Lilli is an awesome girl! I am so grateful that she is part of our family. I love her zest for life, the wonderful example she is to her sisters, and the way she is constantly trying to choose the right. She is not only an example to her sisters but to everyone around her. Thank you Lilli, for being a wonderful daughter...I love you, and happy birthday :)

For The Record!

I am posting this conversation Lexi and I had today for her sake...one day when she is a mom she is going to read it and forever be in my debt!!!

Lexi~ "Mother, please...never be late like this again!"
Me~ " Lexi, I am sorry...but, do you have any idea how I have been running all over this town all day for you girls and that's about all I have done for the day."
Lexi~ "Well, you could at least be on time with all of your running around."

~ then there was something about some random talk...your late for everything, your whole life, and mine...etc, etc...(I am paraphrasing this part.)

Me~
1."Lexi, I woke up this morning and drove you to school.
2. I got Lilli ready and out the door for school without having to drive.
3. I drove Ava to meet up to walk with Lilli because she was late.
4. I drove Nicolette for a photo at stupid Target.
5. I drove back home, a needed bathroom break. (a bathroom break at the store with a toddler...not fun!)
6. I drove to Vivi's preschool for her program.
7. I drove home and fed Vivi lunch.
8. I drove Vivi to her friend's house to play.
9. I drove home to give Nicolette a nap.
10. Nicolette would not sleep so we drove to the school to help with Lilli's school play.
11. As I was heading out of the school to drive the Jr. high carpool...(your carpool Lexi) Nicolette bashed her face into the solid rock hard floor and was bleeding all over herself and me and the elementary school.
12. I cleaned up the blood and drove to the the jr. high...yes, late to pick you up...(remember the bleeding baby here).
13. drove home and dropped you, Lexi off...another bathroom break.
14. I drove back to the elementary school to pick up those girls there.
15.I drove back home dropped off Lilli, got Ava ready for her party.
16. Drove you, Lexi to your singing lesson, drove Ava to her party.
17.drove home.
18. drove back to pick you up from your singing lesson...(only 5 min. late)
19. And, Lexi I still have to drive and pick Ava up from her party!"

" So if I am a little late...maybe you can give me a bit of a break, and maybe when your the mom you might understand this better and give me a little slack."
Lexi~ "Well, when I'm the mom I won't be late for one thing ever, and I will call you up and let you know how it is done"
me~ "lovely, that's just lovely...

Ok, if you have made it through reading this post maybe this post if for me too...I need some positive reinforcement from somebody out there! And, can someone please tell me how it is that I seem to have a teenager in my home even though she is only 12? And, isn't this far too much driving for one person? I think I feel an everyone is walking everywhere strike coming on;)
serenity now... :)

My Baby is 2 Today...

This is the same little baby who is in the right hand corner of my blog header. It is just craziness...I don't even believe it! Where does the time go...Happy Birthday Baby:)