All Hallows Eve

With all the partying we've been doing this week, Halloween day pretty much came and went without too much excitement this year. The kids were excited when we started putting on their costumes, but by the time it was time to head out and beg for treats, they were both a little spent.






Still, they tromped around the neighborhood with Dad for a good 1 1/2 hours! But it was mostly costume and decoration looking. Neither of them were in a huge trick or treat mood. But that's just fine with me - those kids have enough candy from last night to last them 2 lifetimes!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I had a great time watching the kids dare themselves to knock on my spooky door. Sorry to say I don't have any pictures of this years decor. Blame the pregnancy brain I guess.

Trunk or Treat

Another Halloween party? That's right - the ward Trunk or Treat was tonight. Talk about a haul! The kids filled their treat bags - and this is still pre-Halloween candy! Everyone had a great time, and we all saw some really cool costumes! Pancho joined us and helped me dish out candy to the kiddos (who thought he was a kid in the most fantastic dog costume they had ever seen!)






The first activity when we got back home was for both kids to dump their candy out so they could survey what all they got. James goes straight for the chocolate while Izzy has a major love for smarties and all things tart. How can a girl not be fond of chocolate? Don't ask me, I take after the boy!

Preschool Party

Today was James' preschool party. He had a great time decorating pumpkin cookies, making a pumpkin card using real pumpkin seeds, and doing a little pumpkin bowling!

Daddy's Birthday

Happy Birthday Daddy!! The kids have been so excited for Dad's big day. Naturally, we started the day with presents!

Grandma and Aunt Muggs sent some awesome running shoes that came with their own toes. Isabel was ALL about the shoes!



Grandpa and Nana sent a fantastic book that James has taken a great interest in, and a great t-shirt!



Pancho's favorite part was the wrapping paper and cardboard boxes. Is it possible for a pup to be this happy with himself?



After the pre-celebration, the kids and I went to our ward playdate/Halloween potluck. It was great - the kids were free to roam around the gym and play with all the toys while the Moms could just sit and eat and chat. That's my kind of party!



Once Izzy woke up from her brief nap, her and James went to play with Rose and Ginger while me and JL took the boat out for one last spin before calling it a winter. Talk about a great day to be on the lake - there was no one else there! I got to practice my driving and getting JL up on the board. Basically, it was his heaven and a perfect activity for his birthday!




What more can you cram into one day? Cake, of course! The kids helped me frost, decorate the pumpkin face, and add the sprinkles! James begged and begged to blow out the candles. It was a fantastic day. Happy Birthday Daddy - we love you!

Testing 1 2 3

Yesterday, James couldn't resist giving the ol' costume a test drive....

Pumpkin Patch 09

This past Saturday we made our annual treck to the pumpkin patch festival.


James absolutely loves this place! What boy wouldn't love to ride on a tractor! Isabel enjoyed herself a ton this year. Last year, she was still little and not walking. This year - she tromped around like a trooper and played with everything there was to play with. She wasn't sure about the tractor ride at first, but quickly came around to her brothers way of thinking.


We visited the duck pond
And the face painting station. James got a tractor while Izzy got a flower.
James did a little more tractor driving
We spent a lot of time petting the animals. Izzy loved this donkey. She would pick up handfulls of straw and feed it to him.
James found a Goat who was more than happy to pose for a picture.
I think both kids' favorite part was the pony ride!
I wasn't sure Izzy would sit still long enough, but she loved it! And she held on all by herself!
Pushing the dump trucks around is one of James' favorite parts of the whole event!
Izzy tried to see the fun in it, but lost interest quickly.

She was much more fond of the pumpkins and the animals.