Pumpkin Carving

This is the first year we have carved pumpkins... I know, bad parents, but Julia was never interested so we didn't bother. This year she was way into all things Halloween - including carving pumpkins. She did a lot more "managing" of the pumpkin carving then any actual hands on work. She liked to work the pumpkin knife, but the guts and goo were not her cup of tea. (or mine - thanks Andy!)

Pre-carved pumpkins...

Having a little fun...

The finished product!

Playing Catch Up!

I am very behind in blogging, and everything else in my life for that matter. Definiltey playing catch up from being gone and then Maria was sick so I had to miss another day of work...Yikes. I have cut my computer time down to almost nothing and now I have decided that I either need to stop sleeping or lock myself in my house for a few days so I can get life back in order....

So, some thing you have missed....

MARIA IS WALKING!

As soon as I figure out how to post a video I will get it up here for you to see. She is still in the wobbly stage, which is soooo cute! Go Maria!

The Como Zoo Boo

We thought it was going to be outside so we bundled the kids up like eskimos and then it was inside. It was over crowded, over hot and over rated. I am certin that if it would have been outside we would have had a much different experience but it is going to take a lot of convincing to get Andy back there next year. The kids had fun and I guess that's all that matters. We went with my sister and her family.

All dressed up!

Julia being a lion at the Zoo Boo

Parker's 6th Birthday Celebration

My mom made lasagne and we hung out at their house. We had a PokeMon cake and he opened presents. Andy and I splurged on him this year and got him a Wii - a combined birthday Christmas gift - and he was really excited so that was fun!

Who knew all you need is a strip of bubble wrap to keep them ALL entertained!

The birthday boy with his Wii.

Halloween Pictures
My friend Melyssa took some Halloween pictures of the girls and they turned out really cute!

That is all for now - much more to come with all the Halloween activities this week!

Flamenco Friday

Today we went to lunch with my sister and my niece. Molly came over afterwards to play for a little while. I was really excited to give Molly her souvenir from our trip. We got her and our girls these super cute Flamenco dancer dresses when we were in Barcelona. They even had one in Maria's size. We had a little Spanish dance party this afternoon and it was just about the cutest thing I have ever seen. Check out the pics below. (And, no, I did not get one. What a sight that we would be. Me + Flamenco dress = scary. )

Maria was getting man-handled during the dance party but I think she was having the most fun. She kept her dress on the longest and I had to pry it off of her when it was time for her nap.

Shake it girls!

The three Amiga's!

Little Fish

The trip stuff is coming - when I get a few hours to download my pictures - but until then, life has gone on.

Today was Julia's last day of swimming lessons for the session. It is the only day that we are allowed to take pictures. (They are very crazy about cameras at the Y after the whole camera in the locker room incident a few years back...) Jules has been doing a pretty good job in class. She is definitely more comfortable in the water then she was before. We are going to take a break for the winter - subzero temps + wet hair = sick kid, so we are going to take the winter off and start back up in the spring. I am pretty excited because Thursdays will now be wide open. No activity or commitment in sight, and that feels pretty darn good.

Julia "rescuing" her pink & blue haired teeny-bopper teacher

Go Jules!

Our Little Fish

Home Sweet Home

Just a quick post to let everyone know we made it home safe and sound. Spending time with the girls, the laundry, and forcing ourselves to get back on track sleep wise. Once I have downloaded my pictures (800 +) I will post a little recap of the trip. In a nutshell, AMAZING. Sad to leave the adventure behind, but there is nothing, and I mean nothing, like coming home to hugs and kisses from my sweet angels, and as much fun as we had, we missed them like crazy.

Happy 6th Birthday Parker!

Today is my nephew Parker's 6th birthday! I am so sad that we are not there to celebrate with him. (I wrote this to be posted while we are gone....) We are going to whoop it up when we get home and give him his present then too. It's a really good one! I did send him some Pokeymon Cards to get on his actual birthday. (What the hell are those by the way?) I honestly can not believe that he is turning 6. He is the first born grandchild, a lady killer (um, went to pick him up at Sunday school and some little chicky-poo was smooching him on the cheek...) and it is not overstating it to say that he is my favorite little boy on the planet. Happy Birthday Buddy! Auntie Jenny, Uncle Andy and Julia & Maria love you soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much!

Julia & the BIRTHDAY BOY a couple weeks ago

Tarah Tagged Me

My friend Tarah has "blog tagged" me so I am going to oblige and list 7 random things about myself and I am supposed to tag 7 others to do the same. Problem is, all my cyberspace homies have been tagged, so I am just going to tell you 7 random facts about little ole' me....

1. I have an intense fear of drownding when on small boats. Don't mind big ones so much, just the little ones...
2. I still eat like I am in college. Mountain Dew, Ramen noodles, microwave popcorn, mac & cheese.....
3. I always knew I would have 2 daughters. (Actually, it's really three, but let's not get ahead of ourselves here...)
4. My pants are getting a little tight. Time to hit the treadmill. Big time.
5. No one makes me laugh harder then Andy.
6. I miss my grandma.
7. My 2 favorite part of every day is snuggling with my 2 girls in the morning and checking on the sleeping beauties before I go to bed at night.

Weekend Recap

Here is a quick weekend recap because frankly, I don't have time to do much more. So much to do, so little time.... I keep telling myself that it will all be worth it when Andy and I are having some much needed away time next week in the Mediterranean. Um, yeah, the freaking Mediterranean. To say we are excited would be the biggest understatement EVER. Friday will be here before we know it and after we say goodbye to the girls, I know I am going to cry, we will be off for a week of fun, relaxation, friends, and new places to explore!

Friday

Friday I hosted the neighborhood Mom's Club Ladies Night at my house. After a very long absence, I am back and having so much fun! We played Keno and I didn't win a darn thing but I think everyone had fun, well most everyone, and we had a huge group! Thanks for coming ladies! Andy took a group picture of us but it didn't turn out so I am not going to try and post it. Trust me, we are a good looking group of suburban mommies!

Saturday

We went to the Pine Tree Apple Orchard. It was a GORGEOUS day and we had so much fun on the hay ride, in the pumpkin patch, and eating treats. It was a little crazy but well worth the trip. We got a new camera and I got to try it out. Even just on the auto setting the pictures are awesome! Saturday night we went to a birthday party at Pump It Up and Julia was so excited and had a blast. Even Maria was in on the jumping action! Happy Birthday Mac & Tess!

Sunday
Today Julia and my niece Molly got presented their bibles in church. All three year olds get one and Julia is very excited about it. We have been trying really hard to get to church and she is enjoying Sunday school. I am not of the opinion that you need to have your butt in a pew once a week to be a Christian, but we are trying non the less. After we met my mom and dad and sister and niece and nephew for breakfast. While I was at church, Andy was running the TWIN CITIES MARATHON! In the pouring rain. Yes, I speak the truth. He is totally crazy. He did it and did awesome and I am so proud of him. He is a little sore, but doing great. I am thinking about joining him next year. Ha! JUST KIDDING! That will never happen! Way to go Andy! (I have no pictures of the marathon because I was doing the church bible thing - but we were there in spirit!)

Julia & Molly with their bibles at Perkins after church

Have a great week everybody!

First Field Trip Freenzy

Today we went to Lendt's Pumpkin Patch with Julia's preschool class. Her first field trip and her first bus ride. It's been quite a day! We took a hayride - not exactly sure how much hay Maria consumed - whoops! - and we got to pick Indian corn too. To say I had my hands full is a major understatement. Maria is not walking yet and strollers were obviously not an option, so I was carrying around a 25 pound kid and holding the other's hand while trying to navigate a pumpkin patch and a corn field. I thought my arms were going to fall off. Note to self, don't try that again. Despite the intense arm workout, we had a lot of fun! Julia loved picking a pumpkin and found one for Maria too - only small ones, I had to carry those too - and the corn. (I promised her she could pick out a big one when we went this weekend to the apple orchard with her daddy....) We had a nice picnic lunch and took some cute pictures and then headed out - both the girls were asleep before we hit the highway - always the sign of a good outing!


Jules in the corn field