Family Pictures 2011

We had a friend from Rockland take our family pictures this year and I am pretty happy with them. I haven't decided which one is my favorite yet, but I am glad to have options.

Prepared for Rain

So, the girls are still sharing a queen bed while we fix their room up (it is coming along - slowly). I put them to bed one night and came in around midnight to check on them and this is what I found. Silly girls, I always wonder what is going through their heads when they do some things, "hum, I think I will sleep under an umbrella tonight." I can honestly say that the thought has never crossed my mind. Good thing my very superstitious grandmother is not living to see this picture she would have a conniption fit about that umbrella being open in doors. Hopefully Bad Luck will not rain on us because of my little girls' creativeness. As a side note, we do own pajamas, but my girls take them off in the middle of their sleep every night.

Halloween 2011

For trick-or-treating Elizabeth was a green apple fairy.

We had seven events to attend during Halloween, so we busted out the costume totes and the girls chose to be something different at every party. I was really bummed that my camera wasn't working. I totally missed Spirit Week at Abigail's school because of my camera and I missed a few of our Halloween events as well, but my friend Natalie let me borrow her camera for about a week and I was thrilled to get pictures especially since Darin was out of town until November 2nd.


For trick-or-treating Emily was a pumpkin fairy.
For trick-or-treating Abigail was a purple plum fairy.

Abigail was a flower power Disco Diva for her class party. One of the things I love about Idaho is that they still celebrate Holidays in school. The kids had an awesome class Halloween party and got to go on a costume parade.

These girls love to pose. Well, Abigail and Emily love to pose and Elizabeth is not so sure about all of her sister's silliness.
We went to the Chubbuck 2nd Ward Halloween party and dinner and the relief society presidency dressed up as witches and passed out candy while the missionaries were miniature aliens handing out candy on the other side of the building. The kids got to go trick-or-treating from room to room.
Emily was thrilled that her best friend from church Isabelle was Cinderella just like her.
Pretty Princesses for the Ward Party

We have been learning about shapes, so we tried to incorporate a shape lesson into our pumpkin carving activity. Abigail really got into it this year.
Elizabeth AKA Belle
Emily AKA Cinderella
Abigail was a witch for her dance class party.
This is my cute little pre-school class at our Halloween party.
Abigail AKA Jasmine for the ward party.

I missed getting pictures of the twins at their music class in their circus costumes. Emily was a clown and Elizabeth was a Circus Princess. I also missed getting pictures of the twins at their dance Halloween party where Emily was a pumpkin and Elizabeth was a spider. This Halloween was pretty fun cause we had so many costume choices from previous Halloween's and thanks to dance. We had a lot of fun at all of the parties. I think I spent a total of $20 on this Halloween for candy and treats and that is it. That's my kind of way to celebrate a Holiday.

Camera

I am so upset! This week is red-ribbon week at Abigail's school and she has dressed up for it every day.

Monday she was a Nerd

Tuesday she had crazy hair

Today (Wednesday) is silly sock day

Thursday is red day

Friday is sports day

AND my camera completely died (3rd camera in 3 years by the way) My first camera lasted 5 years, but the last two cameras have not been good to me and I think have been dropped one too many times. Also between the three girls we have seven Halloween events to attend in costume and my camera picked a fine week to die on me. BOO! They have looked so adorable in all of their costumes thus far and I know my memory won't be sufficient in remembering these days. So sad! I have decided that I need to purchase a better quality camera, so it may be Christmastime or later before I get a good camera. I will try to video record some of these things, but for now, no pictures on the blog.

Pumpkin Harvest

We decided to plant our own pumpkin patch this year. We harvestd a few of the pumpkins and squash yesterday, this is only about 1/5 of what we will have by Halloween. The kids love it and it only has cost me about $4.00 for the seeds that we planted in the spring, plus the water. All of the vines went crazy and kind of took over the right side of our yard, but the kids have had a blast checking on the plants every day and watching them change.

Fall Haircuts

We didn't get back-to school haircuts this year, so we decided to all go for fall hair cuts before our family pictures. I love the lady that cuts our hair, she keeps up to date with trends, but isn't too extreme either. The salon that she works in is really cute too.

Elizabeth's cut was the most drastic. We took about 4 inches off the length.

Christmas in October

Elizabeth LOVES these Christmas pajamas that are a hand-me-down from Abigail. Elizabeth discovered that her daddy had a matching pair and she insisted that they wear them one night before he left for Pennsylvania again. She is so proud to have matching pjs with her dad and he was a good sport for participating, especially since it wasn't really cold in the house and those pajamas are fleece.

ISU Homecoming Parade

The girls dance studio always participates in the ISU Homecoming Parade. Abigail got to ride on the float this year and the twins cheered her on from the curb in their DSDS attire.

Emily was much faster than Elizabeth when it came to getting candy, but she shared with Elizabeth every time she got some and Elizabeth didn't. I was very impressed with her generosity because Emily is usually the one that struggles with sharing the most.

The camera wasn't working before the parade, so this is a tired Abigail after the parade was over. The parade lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes, that is a pretty long parade if you ask me. Then we had to try to locate Abigail in the sea of orange and black and that took another 45 minutes. I think she had fun throwing candy from the float though.

Unfortunately, this is the only picture of Abigail that I got on the float, you can't tell by this, but she is having a blast.

Making Tortillas

I have always wanted to make homemade tortillas, so I attempted to yesterday. I think they turned out decent and the twins had fun helping me.

My Grown Up Second Grader

This is Abigail on picture day. I can't believe she is in second grade. She brings a lot of joy in our life and there is never a dull moment when she is around. We love how friendly she is and how her personality lights up a room with fireworks! She is loving her school and her teacher. We hope that second grade is a good year for little (or not so little) Abigail.

Hanging Out

I love it when my girls are sweet to each other. It doesn't happen often, but when it does I try to snap a quick picture. In the top picture the twins are watching a movie together snuggled up nicely with each other. In the bottom picture, Abigail is reading a bedtime story to the twins and they are listening to "Brown Bear Brown Bear What do you see?" by Eric Carle.

Some things never change

The top picture was taken of the twins in September of 2008. Fast forward 3 years and the twins are still wrestling with Elizabeth pinned under Emily, unable to escape.

Potato Harvest

Darin has been driving a big 18 wheeler for the past couple of weeks while he waits to hear from his Pennsylvania job. He is working long days, but is having fun being on the road in this big truck. While Darin was on a route he decided to pass by the house. I am sure the neighbors thought he was lost when he parked right in front of our home.