More Halloween....and this isn't the end!

Like I said before, each year the Halloween production gets larger.  It's been a little overwhelming having it all packed in, but the girls are loving every minute of it!

Thursday was Brooklynn's school Halloween party.  She was pretty excited to show off her costume!  (I always wanted a "Thing 1" and "Thing 2", so I figured I'd better torture them now while they're younger and will let me).  They ended up so cute!

Brooklynn and Mrs. Baker

Friday evening we drove to the Startzels for a spooky Halloween dinner party for the kids.  The kids enjoyed playing together, while the adults enjoyed some bonding time. 

The kids table

It was tough, but we sort of got them lined up for a picture

And then pumpkin decorating time!

Saturday we went with Grandma & Grandpa Wesling to the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden.  We'd never been there before, but knew the girls would love seeing all the trains.

With their unicorn rainbow face paint (they opted out of the goulish spider one)

Our scary monster faces!  (Well I think only I look scary - come on Steve, can't you ever show off those pearly whites)

The girls passed out on the train ride

Saturday evening we were looking forward to enjoying a family night at home carving pumpkins and making spider treats!  The girls wouldn't attempt to clean out the pumpkins (coming from the girls who pick their noses and compare boogies).  They had a great time stabbing the pumpkins though. 

Our finished pumpkins

Sunday was our annual Boo at the Zoo trip with the usual crew.  It was a gorgeous day and always entertaining to see the costumes!

Steve and Chris the milkshake

(Steve was a good sport to dress up and Brooklynn was so excited for his costume - she was bragging to everyone about it.  Sure glad I get to be the dorky mom sometimes.....)

All the kids - soon to outnumber adults.....eek!

Family pic - gotta be one of my fave costumes together - so what will we do to top it next year? 

Had to get in the carousel ride before we left with Gabby the Bee

And to think Halloween hasn't even come yet!  Wow!  I sure will be a little relieved when it's all over, a short breath and then bring on the holiday season!

October Birthdays, Pumpkins, and Goodies!

October always feels like the craziest month of the year!  I think our October weekend calendar was filled up back in August.  It's the month with all the fall and Halloween activities, but it's also the last opportunity to squeeze in those outdoor activities before the snow hits!  So as soon as we returned from Virginia Beach we had to kick it in gear and get our social game on!

Last weekend we went to Gabby's 2nd birthday at the WOW Museum - always a favorite!  Brooklynn sprinted right to the costume section!

 Sitting with the birthday girl

 Playing some tunes

 *I wished I would've gotten a pic of Gabby and Chandler.  They're only 2 weeks apart, and they almost look like they could be sisters.

Then on Sunday we had the Hepp girls over for dinner and our annual cookie decorating.  The cookies were much more successful this year - Chandler and Kaitlyn were able to help a little, but mostly ate the frosting.  The older girls rocked it!

Yesterday the whole herd of us took the kids to Mile High Farms in Bennett.  I know, Bennett, of all places!  It's actually a really neat place with lots for the kids to do.  I wish we had the stuff growing up that Bennett has now - a rec center, a King Soopers, and a McDonalds.  I hardly can recognize the place!

The kids had a blast!  It's just always so fun to see them all together!

 In the jumpy house

 Talking to the pirate (Yes, they have a pirate theme out there and a huge pirate ship just off the highway)

 The girls and Owen

 Just me and my girls (Steve stayed home to watch Tebow's debut)

 Bless her!  She had to try to carry every pumpkin

 We're ready to go now!

Next up:  Lots of Halloween activities - I think the girls will be in costume for 5 days straight....Whew!  Sounds like lots of laundry to me!

Where's the Beach?

A couple months ago we decided we should cash in some airline points and take the girls on a vacation before Chandler turns 2, and we actually have to pay for 4 tickets.  Ouch!  After some researching we thought it'd be fun to take them to Virginia Beach.  Steve has his uncle, aunt, and cousins out there, and I'd never been there.  Our biggest concern was taking Chandler on the plane as a lap child - that girl can't sit still for more than a half hour.  How was she going to travel across the country?  Needless to say, both girls were awesome on all 4 flights!  Whew! 

We stopped in Chicago, and they went into the cockpit and even pushed lots of buttons!

We were greeted by a nice hot meal and some excited family members.  Steve's cousin, Kim, has 2 kids that were ecstatic to meet the girls, and the girls just loved playing with them!

The next day we took off to check out the beach and the Neptune sand castle competition.  The castles were amazing!  Our biggest fear - that Chandler would run out and destroy them.  Luckily I caught her before she got to one of them.

Afterwards, the whole family went to the beach to build our own sandcastles and take a quick dip in the chilly water.

Brooklynn & Kim working on their piece of art

Watching Evan build his

Just our feet!  That's all I put in that cold water!

The next day we decided we'd head to the beach again.  Steve absolutely loves the water, and I think now, he has two water-loving girls.  Here's us in front of the Neptune statue:

Then some playing in the water and sand!

One of our faves! 

Steve made Brooklynn into a mermaid, and she was so excited!

Friday we went to the Virginia Aquarium with Larry and Kelly.  They have a great aquarium with lots of fresh water and salt water animals.

Another of our faves!

Touching the sting rays

Petting the starfish and crabs

Eating lunch with Uncle Larry (mooching chips)

And then Cousin Kelly (more chips.....)

Brooklynn loved the "movie nights" with Jordan and Evan.  Here they are all cuddling together.  Awww...

Saturday we all packed up and went to a fall festival close by.  They had the largest pumpkins I've ever seen!

Petting the baby ducka

This was their idea - love it!

Had to do it......

And Kim and Kelly

And the hayride to end the day!

Our last day, Sunday, we wanted to do one more day at the beach!  This time we got out the swimsuits and got down and dirty in the sand.  Chandler actually stayed still to be buried by Evan - hilarious!

Sunday night we went out to eat seafood.  Steve was insistent on eating some fish, so we all packed up and ate at this restaurant on Chesapeake Bay.  When we showed up we got to see this beautiful sunset.

Brooklynn enjoying one last snuggle with Uncle Larry

One last pic before we take off! 

The trip was fabulous - great hosts, great company, and most importantly yummy food!  We'll definitely be back......hopefully soon!