Halloween 2008

Our Halloween:
We were so fortunate to have April and Cailyn here to share Halloween. We started the day off at the VA Zoo. We wanted to keep the girls busy, so we wouldn't have them (or us) anxious for trick or treating. After a fun morning of animal gazing and an afternoon picnic, we headed back to the house for a little rest. Around 4:30, we got the girls dressed and web chatted with Daddy, Grammy and Grampy Shaw and Nana and Papa. Technology is truly wonderful!! After all the web chatting, we were just about to head out and we got a call from my friend Erin. Her son Jack was unexpectedly sick, so we offered to take Sylvia with us for the evening. SO...it was me, April and four little girls under four trick or treating!!

Although it was a little hectic (herding cats would have been easier), we all had a blast. Our street does such a great job of being outside and enjoying the Halloween fun with the entire neighborhood. Lily was our "pretty witch", Emma, a Navy Cheerleader, Cailyn, a Victorian lady and Sylvia, a fairy. Here are loads of pictures. You know me...I just can't help myself. I guess it's the scrapbooker in me. Always trying to get the perfect shot. Enjoy...

DD 23

We REALLY do love each other!

Preschool Halloween Concert

On Thursday, Lily's preschool hosted a small Halloween concert in the courtyard. It was a cold and windy morning, but the kids were all troopers with lots of energy and big smiles. They started with a costume parade and then sang four Halloween songs. Lily was so cute, I could tell she was cold. However, she still managed to sing her little heart out and hang on to her witch's hat in the fierce wind. Here are a few pics and some short video clips.

Happy Birthday Kim

Happy Birthday to one of my dearest and sweetest friends!

So happy all your wishes are coming true!

DD 22 A "ME" DAY

What a wonderful day....

Sleeping in
A quiet breakfast
A peaceful shower
Meeting Kim at the Cheesecake Factory for her birthday lunch
Pedicures with Kim
An uninterrupted phone conversation with Jeff
An amazing dinner
(baked chicken, potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green beans with almonds and rolls)
A relaxing evening with my sister and some yummy dessert

THANKS SO MUCH SIS....YOU ALWAYS KNOW WHAT I NEED!! Now I am rejuvenated for the next few weeks until my next visitor....KELLY!!

Forget my camera, but still wanted to share my pretty pedicure. My feet are in heaven!

Lily 3.5

Lily at 3.5 years

• LOVES school, especially computer class and craft time
• Writes and recognizes her name
• Enjoys anything outside, especially rocks, sticks and digging
• Is NOT a super girly girl
• Loves pirates, tools, playing soccer....but also loves dress up and The Little Mermaid
• Loves all things pink
• Doesn't really nap anymore, but is in bed by 6:30
• Enjoys the Library and reading books is one of her favorite things to do. Top of the shelf right now, Bear Feels Sick, Pinkalious & Purplicious, Alice the Fairy and her new library books each week
• Kitty is her best friend and is always with her
• Is a WONDERFUL eater and enjoys all food, not fussy at all...yay!
• Favorite foods: tacos, corn, peanut butter and jelly, pancakes, fruit, yogurt, chocolate
• Wears 4T and size 8.5 shoe
• Enjoys singing (she can actually hold a tune) and playing instruments
• LOVES learning and is doing great with numbers, letters, shapes etc...
• Favorite toys, her laptop for playing letter/number games, her camera, books and instruments
• Some of her best buds are Jack, Sylvia, Jenna and Cailyn
• Doesn't always share with her sister (we're working on this)
• Can say the Pledge of Allegiance
• Has lost some of those baby curls
• Can brush her teeth, get dressed and go potty by herself (but doesn't always do it)
• Can draw actual pictures, mostly stick men and happy faces
• Is a Daddy's girl and misses him terribly
• Is a bit sassy at times and pushes Mommy's buttons
• Is very thoughtful and always gives spontaneous compliments
• Is helpful without being asked
• Takes great care of her pet fish Dorthy, loves to walk Kastor and plays with/pets Kody
• Loves T.V., her favorites: Little Einsteins, Dora, Backyardigans
• Is super friendly and will strike up a conversation with anyone/everyone
• Likes talking on the phone and chatting on the web cam
• Gets up at the crack of dawn....grrrrrr!
• Her favorite spots.... the Zoo, the Aquarium and Kangaroo Jacks
• LOVES receiving mail
• Loves baking and cooking with Mommy

IS GROWING UP WAY TOO FAST!!!!

Emma 17 Months

Forget to get these up....

Here are some stats of Em at 17 Months

• Finally likes school
• Loves coloring (especially on the floor) and arts and crafts
• Eats well with a spoon and fork, sits at the table with us
• Sleeps 13 hours a night from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., naps are usually 1.5 hours
• Fights with big sister A LOT, including biting and hitting (we're working on this)
• Can say MANY words and will repeat just about everything
• Counts sporadically 1 to 15
• Sings ABC's, mostly the melody, but knows many letters
• Uses the potty every day and asks "go potty?" She is not potty trained yet, but she desperately wants to be like Lily and use the potty
• Loves playing outside and swinging
• Is fearless
• Wears between 18 and 24 month clothes, size 5 shoe and size 4 diaper
• LOVE, LOVE, LOVES Elmo
• Is super sweet and cuddly, very much a Mommy's girl
• Doesn't watch t.v., except for a little Elmo or Wiggles once in a while
• Favorite books, Elmo's Animal Adventure, Googlie Farm and PJ Time
• Loves to talk on the phone and chat on the web cam with daddy
• Sleeps with Sleepy bear, Elmo, Monkey and her Daddy doll
• Drinks NON stop all day and is a good eater
• Is a giggly little girl
• Favorite foods, mac and cheese, cheese, yogurt, goldfish, fruit, green beans, corn, pasta, still doesn't eat a lot of meat
• Has the curliest brown hair and the biggest blue eyes
• Is extremely ticklish
• Loves bath time and playing in the tub with Lily
• Has a TEMPER!!!
• Her best buds are Jack and Sylvia
• Has a blast at gymnastics
• Favorite animals at the Zoo....elephants and monkeys
• Says "I love you" spontaneously

DD21

Sharing our nightly routine with our cousin. So glad you're here with us!

Kangeroo Jacks

Tuesday, October 28th: Day 3 of April and Cailyn's Visit

Lots of jumping fun at Kangaroo Jacks in Chesapeake. April and I had a blast chasing the girls around and even enjoyed a little jumping ourselves.

Out of focus....but still a great shot!!

Hunt Club Farm

We had beautiful weather for our morning at Hunt Club Farm. The girls had a blast experiencing all the farm life. We enjoyed a hayride, the petting farm, the pumpkin patch and playing around on the playground and tractor. The best part, watching Lily and Cailyn having a hay fight in the huge mound of hay. Em's favorite part, all the special attention from Auntie!

DD19

What a FABULOUS day! A fun morning with giggling little girls, an afternoon shopping with my sister (thanks for the treats Mom) and a girls night out with lots of yummy food and adult conversation. A big thanks to my wonderful friend and right arm, Michelle. She baby sat the girls, cooked them dinner, cleaned up and did baths! She and the girls had a blast doing crafts and baking cupcakes. It was truly a relaxing day with family.

DD18

April and Cailyn have arrived!! Yay for a fun week with with my sister and niece. A big thanks to Cindy and Josh for driving them to the airport. Lots of exciting things to do this week....

DD 17

Just hanging with Em

DD 16

Doing fall chores... wish you were here Daddy!

The finished product, our lawn is growing in nicely from the fall seeding!

DD 15

A trip to the Public Library for Story Time and some new books.

New Granite Countertops

During the last several months we've been saving for new granite countertops, an undermount sink and faucet. The kitchen needed some upgrading, so while Jeff was busy with work ups this summer I did some research, watched the sales and found the best bargain for our buck. Here is the finished product. The best part, Jeff and I were able to pick our very own slab of granite. They were installed a week before Jeff deployed so he was able to enjoy them for a few days. If anyone is in need of granite, let me know. I feel like I became a bit of an expert after I talked to so many companies and contractors. Here are the pictures....I am SO happy!!

We've Been "Booed"

Thank you to who ever "booed" us, the package and kind words were great. It cheered up my entire day. I have already been eating way too much of the chocolate goodies inside! Not sure if you meant to leave your name or not.... but I still wanted to send out a special thanks!!

DD 14 Two Weeks and Counting

Well, we've made it through another week and we're actually staying quite busy. Another link came down and more fun activities are filling up our calender. Next on the agenda, a week long visit from Auntie April and Cailyn. I'm really looking forward to our first round of visitors and some respite...I'm tired!

Some shots today of our movie star in the making