Trick or Treat?

We had a bit of a scare. Poor Rhett had a stomach virus and almost couldn't go trick o' treating but by the time the night arrived he was feeling much better and we decided to go for it anyway. We defintely didn't get too close to other children, but I just couldn't imagine having to keep him away when that was all he'd been talking about all week! We did go and had an excellent time and got lots of candy, candy, candy!

Ella told me she wanted to go as a "Happy Wicked Witch" this year and I looked for the happiest witch outfit I could find. There is a pointy hat, but tonight of all nights she told me she wanted her hair in pigtails and I wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to put her hair up. Forget the hat, Ella wanted her hair up!

She is giving me a mean wicked witch face.

Yes, that is a huge bow. No, I wouldn't put it on her on any other day (I would though if I knew I wouldn't be made fun of! I love bows.)

Rhett said he wanted to be a turtle. I said, "A ninja turtle?" and he said, "nope, just a turtle." Luckily the gods were with me and there was only one turtle costume at TJ Max that I just happened upon that was just his size. Shew!

He kept calling the shell his "shelf." Don't look at my laundry. Who wants to do laundry on Halloween?!

Joe modeling the pointy hat. We went as the "cute couple" (ah - how cute!).

Ella saw Daddy giving Mommy a kiss and she wanted to do the same. Now that is cute.

Somebody asked me what Lucy was going as and I said "warm."
I could just eat them!

Pumpkin Carvers

For Family Home Evening we did the tradition carving of the pumpkin. Rhett had a good time digging out the guts while Ella decided to sit that out and just cut small pumpkin pieces into smaller pumpkin pieces. Lucy crawled around looking for random items that might have fallen off the table to give her some idea of what we were doing. They decided on carving a spooky (or as Ella would say it "pooky") pumpkin and were very quick to remind us every night up until Halloween to light it.

Twinkies

I am so excited to have girls that are going to be so close in age!! How cute do they look dressed alike? I hope they love each other as much as I love my sister. I wish Lisa and I were closer in age so that we were able to grow up together, but perhaps our realtionship wouldn't be as it is now if I didn't know how to appreciate her. At least we never were fighting over who got to wear a shirt the other one wanted. I hope Ella and Lucy never take each other for granted.
Lucy knows when the flash is going to happen and always quickly closes her eyes.

Rhett is 5!

I can't believe that he is 5 years old. Two years ago I held his 3rd birthday in this very spot. Walking on ground that I had previously walked on for a similar reason. The days have passed so quickly and I am very grateful that each year passes with comfort and health. That being said, the party went perfectly. Rhett had a lot of his friends come and he had a great time. The pavilion is in a park with playground galore and we had pizza and cake and presents. It was a Spiderman theme as you will see and for Rhett's birthday present from Ella, she decided to blow out his candle for him - much to our surpise. She was sitting right in front of it so I guess it looked like a big, shiny red button. We of course lit it again and Rhett had his moment and then played and played some more!

This is Catarina. Pretty much the love of Rhett's life. They go to school together and obviously share the same love of Spiderman which is a good foundation for a strong relationship. Up until the time she arrived Rhett kept asking if she was coming and when was she going to get there. Thank goodness she came!

I have such a wonderful family who helps me out tremendously with every birthday party (Mother not pictured, but she is definitely included!) and I am so grateful for them.Yes that is a cop. What can I say? Do you think that I would throw any kind of party that a cop wouldn't eventually show up? I just decided to go ahead and invite one so I could get on his good side early. (He is also the husband of one of my girlfriends.) Catarina's mom in the navy blue, I should probably get on her good side as well the way Rhett talks about Catarina.

Jumping for [Birthday] Joy!

For Rhett's 5th birthday we decided to buy a trampoline. I found one in pretty good shape on Craig's List but I really had to act fast. Turns out everyone wants a used trampoline. Joe and I were pretty reluctant to get one and most commonly refer to them as "death traps" but knowing how they build muscle and self-esteem we couldn't see not getting one. It definitely was a good purchase and I think I probably enjoy jumping on it just as much as they do.