Halloween Fun!

From carving pumpkins to trick-or-treating, our kids had a very fun Halloween this year!  Here are a few pictures of our little ballerina princess and dragon!

 

Carving Pumpkins!  Elijah loved getting messy and stirring up the pumpkin 'guts'.  He even tried to put the insides back into the pumpkins once we had them all out!  Bella, however, helped pull one handful out, then decided that she would 'just watch'.  She did like helping design the jack-o-lantern faces though:)

Bella the Ballerina Princess

Elijah the Dragon

Trick or Treating in the neighborhood

YUM!  Time for some candy!

 

They made out pretty well!

 

Happy Halloween!

Oktoberfest Weekend

Just over a week ago the four of us took a long weekend trip up north with Matt's parents and sister.  We went up to a resort on a lake to celebrate Oktoberfest and help Matt's dad at a craft fair held there.  The whole weekend was so fun and family friendly.  The kids loved it and we had a wonderful mini vacation.  

 Donuts and rice crispy bars for breakfast-my kind of vacation!

At the craft fair

Balloon Animals

In the bounce house!

 

 Watching the Teddy Bear Band

The first snowfall of the season began on Sunday morning just before we left.  This kids were watching the snow come down outside our window-they were very excited about it (although in this picture Bella looks more like how I feel-Snow? Already??!)

Bella and her new favorite Christmas decoration whom she affectionately named, Jingle:)

 

Our weekend away was a success!  Now were are excitedly awaiting Halloween.  Pumpkin carving begins tonight:)

Our Little Gymnast

Bella just completed her seven week long gymnastics class.  She had a great time and really improved on a lot of her skills!  She loved going to her 'nastics show' as she called it, and had lots of family come and watch her.  Her are a few pictures of her from week to week.

Bella's 1st Week

Week 2

Week 3

Week 5

Week 6

Bella's last week

We are so proud of you Bella girl!  Way to go!

Old is the new new!

Matt and I recently found a few antiques for our home and I am so excited about them!  So although they are old, they are new to us and I love them:) 

A butcher block island for our kitchen.  I didn't think I needed one until we got one.  Now I use it ALL the time!  Yes, it's a little beat up, but that's what adds the character and makes it a one-of-a-kind piece. On the shelf below I now store my flour and sugar containers for easy access while baking.

This adorable shelving piece is the perfect thing to hold my cookbooks! (and notice the cute little man helping me show it off:))

Here it is with some of my cookbooks on it.  On the top are two antiques clocks I found.  They are set to the times of birth of my two beautiful babes!  Bella was born at 8:30pm, and Elijah was born at 1:31 am.  I love the idea of having the times set for those two amazing moments in our life! 

 

There you have it.  Old is the new new:)

Fall Fun!

 

Our Fall adventures continue!  We have been to the market place corn pit with some friends, pumpkin gathering at our local fire station open house, and enjoying the fall colors on the trees in our yard.  It's been a fun fall so far, and we are looking forward to a fun family weekend coming up. 

Corn Pit Fun!

 

Asher, Clay, Bella, and Elijah tried out the pumpkin jumper!

Duck Races

Some of our favorite trees in the yard!

 My two favorite pumpkins with their two favorite pumpkins:)

Love these two silly munchkins!

Happy Harvest!

Apple Orchard Visit

One of my favorite fall traditions is our annual trip to the Apple Orchard.  This is a tradition that began in Matt's family and we are continuing it with our kids.  We love it so much and are so thankful to share it with Matt's parents, Debbie and Al.  

We usually begin our trip by looking at pumpkins, gourds, and farm animals at one of our favorite spots.  Then it's off to the Orchard for apples, treats and adventures.  We love the cider, apple doughnuts, apple muffins, and (of course!) the caramel apples there!   

 

Pumpkins and Gourds

 Grandpa always has change for the rides:)

Elijah loved the animals!

We found some apples:)

Pumpkin Hunting

My two favorite boys!

 

What a fun day with the family!  I hope you are having a beautiful and bountiful Autumn so far.  What are some of your favorite fall activities?