All Hallows Eve

This has been my favorite Halloween to date. I'm typically not a huge fan of this holiday, but I have to admit that with little kids I'm warming up to this fun and festive holiday. The girls were very excited to get into costume, but no one was quite as excited as my superhero husband, Superman! Alex had no idea what was going on, but he made the cutest Yoda I've ever seen. Ella was cleopatra and Amelia was a peacock. We had fun doing their makeup and getting them into character. And in keeping with tradition, we went to the trunk or treat Friday night and then we trick or treated with friends in the neighborhood Saturday, which this year just happened to be Halloween! I did not dress up this year. I was the behind the scenes costume coordinator, make-up artist, meal preparer, and candy hander outer. But that's fine by me. I loved watching them have so much fun!

Just hanging around

Kids Photo Shoot, 2015

11 year anniversary

Say what? 11 years of marital bliss!?! Impossible you say? That's what I say. We're not old enough to have been married 11 years! Seriously where has the time gone? Like so many things the days are long but the years fly by. This was a sweet post from my hubby today and it's worth re-posting here. "11 years ago I made the best decision of my life to marry my beautiful wife. She is everything to me and I would be lost without her. Thanks for saying yes." For our anniversary this year, we went on a date. That even in and of itself is a big deal because since having Alex we haven't been out often enough, and this was actually the first time we left all three of them with a sitter and didn't bring Alex along. But to make it an even more special occassion, we decided to drive out to Loudoun County and go to the property Shaun used to live on. That property is very special for many reasons. It's the place where Shaun took me on our first date and it's the place where he proposed. It's a beautiful piece of farmland that holds so many special memories for both of us, and it was a wonderful way to celebrate the day! It was a reflective time, and still a lot of fun! So kudos to a simple but very special evening with the man I love, my best friend! I love you oodles, and look forward to many more memories to come.

Siblings are the best

These kids of mine warm my heart. They may be fighting and arguing one moment, but then I turn around and find Amelia reading to her brother, or Ella and Amelia playing sweetly together with their toys (these moments aren't all of the time, but that's why I appreciate them so much when they do happen). They really do love each other. Amelia is such a good big sister, and Alex adores both of his sisters. You can see it in the way he watches their every move. So for as exhausting and trying as motherhood can be, these moments remind me of what it's all about. I'm so glad to have them, and I'm so glad they have each other!

My lil' Pumpkins at the pumpkin patch

It's finally October! One of my very favorite months! We get to watch General Conference, celebrate our anniversary, and enjoy the beautiful fall foliage of Virginia as leaves begin to peak! One of our other favorite traditions is going to the pumpkin patch with the kiddos! They love picking out their pumpkins, and enjoying the hayrides and other adventures offered there at the pumpkin patch. Our house for the fall... I love our wreath and the beautiful mums and pumpkins. Quite the curb appeal if I do say so myself.

Alex's first hair cut

So many firsts... first birthday, first beach trip, so we needed to add first hair cut to the list. Actually, my little guy was starting to get quite the comb over, so it really was time to trim his golden hair. He looks so grown up! I love the look, but I wasn't expecting to be so sad to see him growing up. My baby is now a toddler and I'm not quite ready for that. But he's a handsome hunk! And now he's a handsome hunk without a comb over! My friend Becca cut his hair for me (the day before she moved to California even), and she did a fantastic job! Too bad she won't be around to keep it trimmed for me.