We're Still Here

OMG, I am such a bad blogger, I have no idea how some moms can post daily. We are still here, just so busy! But, the good news is, I have Christmas shopping done, I have things all laid out for our trip to Orlando for Taylor's surgery, in less than 2 weeks we leave. We are heading up Saturday to take 5 of the kids to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. (I got free passes, lol) And I have my house all decorated!

We had dinner with our Asian kids group one night.



Our group, I don't know what this look on Dawns face is all about. (Sorry, Dawn, this was the only picture I got)






Having Christmas craft/fun at Bass Pro












Another weekend for Bass Pro fun. (I'm not really sure who has the most fun, the girls or the bigger guys)












The girls have a small Christmas tree in their room, so one afternoon after ballet Jesse helped the girls put their tree up.



We had a farewell beach day to Dawn and her kids. (We are so sad to see you moving back to Wisconsin, I will truly miss you Dawn, BFF).





The girls big sister Chrissy crocheted the girls beanies for them! Thank you so very much Chris, the girls love them, and of course they look so stinkin' cute in them too!











Thanksgiving Day, I got no pictures until we left my moms house and went to stop by the fire station that Brandon was working at that day. (We were just so busy. The girls always make Christmas gifts/crafts and our project lasted all day this year. But, we had fun and got our projects done) I got these pictures of the girls playing at the fire station Thanksgiving evening. The girls had fun swinging on the rope the fireman and medics work out on.














Black Friday. The girls don't look too happy here in the picture, but mom just had to get a few of those Christmas deals early.



Brandon bought himself an early Christmas present, a Wii, here's the girls playing it though.




Another weekend at Bass Pro.






The girls had so much fun throwing the "snow" until a grumpy elf told them to stop. Oh well, the girls had fun while it lasted. (I'm actually trying to get the best Christmas card photo, which, we have not gotten just yet)






Today was The First Sunday of Advent, and without realizing it I dressed the girls all in purple along with the paster and the church decorated in purple. So, one of the ladies there just had to snap a picture for the bulletin board. Mama had her camera so I had to take a picture too.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I know it's a little early to be thinking too much about Christmas but tell that to the stores!

My guys are BIG Bass Pro fans so on Sunday Bass Pro kicked off their holiday season with Santa arriving! We had to go.

Santa arrived by boat which the girls just loved!



They had the PERFECT spot to watch from!



We picked up our "Bass Pass" for a 4:30 appointment with our time to meet Santa, but in the mean time while we waited we.........

colored pictures,



posed, but not very good for some pictures,



played the shooting game, they had to do this because of course the pink guns were according to the girls, just so cute", and they thought it was just so great that the guns matched their outfits,







they colored Christmas stockings,



they also ate cookies and played with remote control cars.

Then, our big moment arrives to go see Santa, and notice that someone is missing from the picture. Hailey stood at the little archway going to see Santa and SCREAMED bloody murder. At least this wasn't like it was our only chance or anything. All in all the girls had a great afternoon!



We also last week took daddy to the Dr, he is having his knee scoped again next Wednesday, it's the 5th time so it should be a piece of cake. So, on the way home we stopped at Grandma & Grandpa's.

We ate lunch with them.



They love to go for rides on the golf cart.



And, indulged mom with a couple of pictures.





We went out to dinner one night and this is just Hannah being her silly self.



We did some Christmas shopping too.

Happy Halloween

The girls had a great Halloween!

I had to do 99% of the work by myself today though as the guys were all suffering from............ "The Man Cold"! I'm sure all you women out there have heard of this, lol, but Jesse has a sinus infection, Brandon had some sort of throat infection and Ted, at least I can give him some break is having knee problems which he will probably have to have surgery for in a week or so, but this will be the 5th surgery on that knee so what's up with that? He ought to be able to deal with it better don't ya think????? (I'm really just kidding honey!) Check out this video though, it's so funny! (you'll have to scroll down the bottom of the page to shut off my music)




We started our day off by having a Halloween chorus/ballet recital. The girls were soooooo darn cute too!

















We iced and decorated sugar cookies when we got home. They all were eating the icing before I even handed out the cookies. I love this look on Hannah!












We carved pumpkins.







My little Cinderella's already to go Trick or Treating!





The girls saw a family (that lives in this house) taking a picture of their little girl in this spot and just assumed that's what you're suppose to do, sit and get your picture taken there. (Hailey was pooped out by this point sitting in the stroller)



Checking out all their "loot" when we got home.

Hot, hot, hot!

It's been so hot here still but I'm not going to complain because I know some of y'all are having blizzards like our son who lives in Denver. So, with it so hot out still (in the 90's) we went to the beach with Dawn and her kiddo's from A Family We Will Grow.

Hailey & Lize are best buds!





All our kiddo's today. Luke was out numbered. (someday he'll enjoy this) His mom was down visiting Dawn from Wisconsin and they are waiting for their referral for a little girl from China.











Sophie



Lize

Moms Club Halloween Party

Yesterday the girls had our Moms Club Halloween Party which I was in charge of again this year, I think I'll let someone else do it next year though. It's a huge party for our group every year but the girls had so much fun! I rented one of the shelters at our local park and it was a beautiful 83 degrees out.

Last year I got Jesse to cook for me, and then this year Brandon helped. That way it gives the parents free time to chase kids and socialize. Thank you Bubba, you did a great job!!!!!!





The girls had face painting done.







The girls all decided on Cinderella costumes this year. And yes, I did sew them.







The kids all waiting to go "Trick or Trunk".





It's always so much fun!







By the end of the day, Hailey was one tired little girl.

A fun day out!

The girls and I went with a friend of ours and her kids to our favorite outlet mall for some Halloween craft fun. The girls made Halloween bats, played on the playground there then we went and shopped at the mall. It was a great day for all.









The girls love to throw pennies into the fountain, but I think Taylor is wanting to keep hers! I made these dresses for the girls but they are so big. I'm trying to move the girls up a size from 18-24 month stuff to 2T but it's just huge on them.



I have no idea what Taylor is looking at.

Daddy's Birthday & The Pumpkin Patch

Ted's birthday was yesterday so we decided to take a picnic and cookout then go to the Pumpkin Patch!

The girls had fun with their bubble guns.







They LOVE to sing Happy Birthday.



It started getting colder out so I changed the girls into jeans with a sweater, we went and did the pumpkin patch, played on the playground then rode the Halloween train which I didn't get pictures of, but we froze to death. I was thinking what a horrible mom I was to only have sandals on the girls but it has been in the mid 90's here so I was unprepared for the cold. When we got into the truck to leave at 8:00 I checked the external temp. outside and it was........... 71! We Floridians are such whoosies! I'm not kidding there were people there in winter coats, too funny, and the northeners are at the beach!





We made the birthday boy stand with the girls.









Trying to find the perfect pumpkin!