Happy Halloween

Tonight we took a break from the usual Halloween festivities. This year we decided to actually go trick or treating. We went with Meg and Eme to her sister's neighborhood. It was really nice and the girls enjoyed it and the nice weather.

she could not hold out

Maddie-11 Months

My Dearest Maddie you have grown so much over the last few months. You have turned into your own person. Here are some of your highlights.

• You are sleeping in your own bed like an angel. Well most of the time. You still wake up sometimes once during the night. But as soon as Mommy or Daddy walk in and you see us, you lay back down and fall asleep.
• You are in size 9 months clothes and size 2 diapers.
  
• Clothes are not your favorite, and you spend a lot of time trying to take them off.
• You are on table foods for the most part, but you still like eating baby foods.
• We have switched you over to Whole Milk about a month early, and you love it
• We have had a few rough bed times over the last week, and our guess is that you are teething.
  
• You are still not a big fan of traveling, but you are doing better since we put you in a front facing car seat.
• You love playing with your sister and you would much rather play Barbie's than any of your toys.
• Some of your favorite words are Dada, Chloe, Ellie, and just recently you started saying Mama (but only when you are crying and want something).
• You are quite bossy and can be a little mean if you do not get your way.
• You show Ellie who is boss and do not allow her to push you over
• You are starting to become bashful and hide your face when people talk to you.
• You are in to everything. You love to climb and I am starting to believe that you are fearless

You are such a special little girl who brings an interesting piece into our life. We love you so much and can not wait to watch you grow.

Happy Birthday Ry-Ry

Happy Birthday Aunt Shannon

My Love

Today marks nine years since I snatched up my wonderful husband. I love him more and more each year.

Happy Anniversay Love!

Kids in the Kitchen

Today I took Ellie (and Maddie tagged along) to Adrienne Bakery in Jeff for their kids in the kitchen. If you have not taken your child there you should definitely consider it the next time they have one. It was fabulous. They got to decorate two cupcakes, a cookie, and they made a pumpkin rice crispie treat. Well worth the $7 that it cost. Maddie was pretty good, most of the time, but she gets a little squirrly once she is not the center of attention for awhile.

Getaway

Bob and I just got back from our first trip where both of us were away from the girls over night. We decided kinda last week, that we would go to Gaitlinburg for Fall Break weekend. We had a nice travel down on Friday. I love traveling with the internet on my electronic devices. I ordered Maddie the cutest pair of Sperry's. I can not wait to get them in.

It took quite a while to get to our room once we got off the exit. Traffic was horrible. Of course, my husband who has no patience was trying to take side streets that ended us up in either more traffic or at a dead end and back on the main road. But eventually we did find a "alternate route" as the GPS calls it where we bypassed the majority of the traffic.

We decided to stop and eat at our favorite restaurant there, the Apple Barn. We also noticed that they have free wine tasting. Now alcohol is not something that I have ever been in to, but I sure do like to wine taste and to have a glass every so often. Not only did they have free wine tasting there, but there is a trail of two other places along the main strip. We decided to go into Gaitlinburg Friday night because we had nothing else better to do. The weather was perfect. 70s during the day and cool at night. I really did not find much. Bob says that it is the same stuff every year and it never changes. :)

Saturday was spent mostly shopping. We went to the big outlet mail. I did get "a few" items there. We went back to the room and rested while Bob could catch up a bit with work stuff. Then we went back out to enjoy "our" little shops around Pigeon Forge and of course to play Fire House Golf. Ironically my best friend Meghan was on her way home from Daytona. She called to let me know that they were going to stop in Gailtinburg for the night-hmmmm. When they got into town we met them for dinner.

This morning we were pretty tired so decided to head straight back to town, plus we really missed the girls. We were home before 1:00. I finally had some time to get caught up from the weekend away and spend time loving on the girls.

The Gang

I first would like to say YAY it is FALL BREAK. I get excited about days off (that are scheduled-I hate snow days). It is not that I don't like my job, but it is nice to sleep in and spend extra time with my girls once and a while. And I have been looking forward to some quality time with my husband (more on that later).

But today was actually a little more busy than normal. I did not get to sleep in much because E had preschool, but I did get to take her. Of course it was raining. The good thing is that Mom was keeping Maddie, and I did not have to get her out in the rain. I am now convinced why I am a high school teacher. I walked into the preschool and immediately became stressed out. All of the little kids and their questions and hugs for the teacher was overwhelming to me. Ellie made me so proud though. She was such a big girl and knew exactly what to do.

After I dropped E off, I had a few errands to run. Then I met the gang in Scottsburg for lunch. I love CHS, but I sure do miss my friends. It was nice to catch up with them.

Next back to Ctown for play rehearsal. It was not really a rehearsal but more of a identify with your character opportunity, and we sorted out the costume room.

Then finally, I had to go to class at IUS. Again I do not know why I do this to myself.

Max and Ruby

A couple of weeks ago a friend posted on facebook that she would like to take her daughter to see Max and Ruby at the Palace. I had just received an email earlier that day for a presale code. I messaged her about the code, and she asked if we wanted to go with. I thought that Ellie would enjoy it, plus it was at the Palace and she had never been there.

I don't think that I have ever wished for something in that forum to be over like I did at Max and Ruby. I have a huge creeper problem with adults playing adults on kid/toddler shows. E is not allowed to watch those shows when I am around. There were a few adults (who played adults but acted like kids) in the show. I don't know why I have such an issue, but I do. Ellie really enjoyed the show, and was excited to see Ruby. She could not wait to come home and have a "birthday party" just like they did in the show.

Love the Palace

Ellie's New Do

I finally convinced E that she should cut her hair. It is beginning to get really stringy and with the upcoming dry weather I figured it would be much more manageable. I had done a great job of preparing her, but I forgot to prepare myself. I was really nervous when Melissa starting cutting. She was so good. After it was done she looked so cute, and she loved it. She would just toss her head and laugh.

before...

after :)

Happy Birthday Aunt Tricia and Fall Festivities

Today was a very busy day. We started off at Montgomery Farms with Meghan and Eme. It had been a long time since I had been there. I was not as impressed with it as I am with other places around the area, but for what the girls needed to occupy them, it was enough. They really enjoyed riding the cow train.

Best Friends

They loved the cow train

They found their pumpkins

Love this pic of Eme

Some yummy Jeeves and Company for lunch

Later this evening we went to Tricia's surprise 40th birthday party. The girls were pretty tired, but had fun anyway.

This is the only good picture I got of the evening