Parade of Princesses

Oh how I love Halloween, especially now that I have kids! It is so fun to see the kids so excited for Halloween. Isabelle was counting down the days! We had several Halloween parties/events that we went to. Isabelle took that as an opportunity to have more than one costume. So this year she was Silver Mist and Cinderella. She was very proud of her Silver Mist costume because she saved up her own money to buy it. We have been trying to teach her the value of money and she is so proud when she buys something herself. Anya was her favorite princess, Snow White. I had also picked up an Aurora dress for her, but she just wanted to be Snow White. Normally I don't let the girls leave the house in dress-ups so they thought it was great that they got to go everywhere dressed in their costumes. Isabelle acted like an old pro at the whole trick or treat scene and Anya only took a couple minutes to get a hang of it.

Our very own Silver Mist at the ward Trunk or Treat

Isabelle and her best friend Addi were inseparable. Addi and her family moved to Texas just a couple days after the ward trunk or treat.

Anya and her friend Brielle (Addi's little sister).

We went to a fun Halloween party at the YMCA. The girls got to decorate cookies, get their faces painted and go on a Trick or Treat Parade. I couldn't believe Anya kept still to get her face painted.

Halloween party with Isabelle's class at school. The kids had fun Trunk or Treating and decorating Halloween cookies.

What a fun Halloween Season, can't wait till next year!

Pumpkin Patch

To kick-off the Halloween Season we made our annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch. It is so fun to see the girls so excited about picking out a pumpkin, and extra exciting for Anya to be a part of the action this year. They each got to pick their own little pumpkin and then one big one for the family to carve. Once we got home the continued to carry their little pumpkins around with them wherever they went.

We got our pumpkins!

Time to carve

Doing the dirty work

Isabelle wanted a "Spooky" pumpkin this year.

Girls Trip!

We had our 4th Annual BYU Luv Shack Reunion. Unlike other years where we have gone to someone's home, this year we went to Laguna Beach, CA. Thanks to an awesome hook up and discount from our friend Tiffany, we were able to stay the weekend at the Newport Coast Villas. Gorgeous!!! It was absolutely perfect for us. We had a fabulous weekend full of shopping at malls and the Swap Meat, eating, and having much needed girl time. I'm still amazed that we are able to coordinate all of our busy schedules and find a weekend every year where we can all get together. This was the first year that I have been able to go without a baby, so that was a nice break for me! Charles did a great job holding up the fort while I was gone.

The six of us, plus two little munchkins!

We found this fabulous restaurant on the beach called The Beachcomber. We could have gone back there for every meal, there were so many things on the menu that sounded delicious.

My delicious lunch!

The two pregnant mommas. I guess we know who will have babies with them next year!

Did I mention how beautiful it was? I have a new love for California!

We thought we would try and be young and hip again by renting a red Mustang. Too bad it was too cold most of the time to put the top down. We were quite the site all packed to the max with four of us in the car and all of our luggage.

I am so grateful to have such good friends where regardless of the distance between us, we can always pick back up right where we left off. I'm also grateful for all of our wonderful husbands who allow us to have a little time each year to have our girl time!

Erin's Baby Shower

We had a lovely baby shower for Erin. Carol was the mastermind behind it, but she put us all to work and it turned out so cute. We had a grey and yellow theme going on as you can tell in the pictures.

My masterpiece! It was my first time making a diaper cake, but I think it turned out pretty good.

Dessert table

Party favors made by Maryssa

The girls loved the chocolate covered pretzels!

Our Summer Getaway

There aren't many places more relaxing to me than the North Carolina Mountains. All through my childhood we have gone up to the NC mountains in the summer. Those are some of my fondest childhood memories. It seemed like our family was always the happiest when we were there. No worldly interruptions, no fighting and no responsibilities. As we continue this tradition of going to the mountains, I hope that my kids will find the NC mountains as wonderful as I do and that we will be able to create some wonderful memories as a family. Two years ago we found a great place called Bear Lake Reserve, near Cashiers, NC. We absolutely loved it, so Ma rented two cabins there again this summer. The day the exchange students left here we took off for two weeks to the mountains for our much needed family vacation. Charles and I were both burned out from work, so we were ready to get away. This year we shared a cabin with Carol and Addison, while Ma, Aunt Louise, my mom and the rest of the kids were in the other cabin. Isabelle and Addison shared a room and thought it was the best thing ever. There were a couple nights we heard them up talking, but for the most part they did great. Bear Lake is so great because there is so much to do right there in the development. Our cabin was a 5 minute drive to the Lake Club, which has a huge pool that the kids love, and is right on the lake. Down on the lake there is a great beach area for the kids to play at. There are also canoes and kayaks that you can take out whenever you want and pontoon boats that you can rent. There is also a little movie theatre in the club house. Our cabin was also 5 minutes away from the tennis courts and golf course. We played tennis several times. Charles had a great time trying out his new golf clubs at the driving range almost daily and playing a round one weekend when Brian came up. I joined Charles one time at the driving range and then we continued our tradition of walking the golf course and looking for golf balls. We only walked 5 holes, but we found around 30 balls. Not so shabby.

There was a great picnic area with a pavilion and fire place up at the top of the mountain. We cooked dinner up there a couple of times. It was just breathtaking.

We attempted to get a good picture of all the grandkids, these are the best three that I could get. Addison wouldn't even stay in the first two pictures. It's not easy to get a good pic with 3 youngsters.

Even though it was a little bit cloudy, it was a beautiful sunset!

Isabelle has become a big fan of s'mores. She was especially excited about these super-sized marshmallows.

One happy girl!

Catching some rays!

Of course Charles made crepes for everyone a couple of times.

Addison and Anya playing with Ma

Ever since we were little we have been going to Sliding Rock when we go up to the NC Mountains. This year was no exception. Although I did stay back at the cabin with Anya, everyone else went and had a blast.

Jumping into the hole!

Kids playing on the shore at Sliding Rock

Back at the Lake Club there is a great beach area on the lake that the kids loved to play in. Isabelle loved it! She could walk way far out and not have to worry about waves.

Out in the lake there was a floating dock that had detached from the shore. Charles, Brian, the twins, Ashley's boys, Laila and Kenzie had a blast playing on it. They spent an entire afternoon jumping off it and trying to make each other fall off. It was very entertaining to watch.

Anya and Addison were happy as can be playing in the sand on the shore as the other played out in the lake.

Laila and Isabelle

Anya loves playing with Addison. Pretty crazy that Addison is a year older than Anya. Anya is almost as tall as Addison, and is definitely a bigger girl. I love her rolls!

"Cheese!"

We had a few discipline problems with Anya, so she got very used to going in time out.

This was one of my favorite moments. The girls were playing around this little table and when I walked up to see what they were doing I found them taking turns saying prayers. What sweet little girls.

We had such a wonderful time on vacation. It was just what we needed! We are so grateful that Ma is so generous as to rent cabins, year after year so that we can all have a wonderful family vacation.