Happy Halloween!!

Today was the day that Riley has been waiting a long time for....and thankfully I think that it did not disappoint! She was all set for school and was excited to bring her costume to change into. She said that they changed, paraded around the block (and that people threw candy at them?), and then they had a party. She was in such a great mood when I picked her up and could not wait to get home and trick or treat. When we got home, we were barely able to get Payton in her costume and snap a few pictures and then we were off. We were joined by Auntie Bika and Jay (and Diesel tagged along too). Payton was not sure what to do or what to think of the whole experience. She kept taking the candy out of her bucket and throwing it on the ground or just licking the wrappers. Riley was an old pro and most of the time did not even want anyone to come to the door with her. After one loop Riley and I left the others back at home, she grabbed a sweatshirt, and we were off to do some more trick or treating. It was quiet in our subdivision and many houses had the lights off or empty candy buckets (do any kids really follow the take 1 rule?), but Riley had a blast. After we were done, it was home for a warm meal and some cupcakes, so graciously prepared by Bika and warming up. Mike was home handing out candy and he said it was kind of slow. With all that we have left and Riley's loot, we will not be shy on sugar for a LONG time!! Happy Halloween to everyone! Now to hold Riley off until Christmas.....

Pumpkin Carving

Yesterday we had a fun family afternoon carving the pumpkins. Mike and Riley did their standard "princess potato head" pumpkin first. Riley loved using the drill to make the holes for her parts and it was funny because it looked like the pumpkin was crying when they put in the eyes. Payton just took all of the experiences in. She was a little under the weather, either because of her last molar working its way in or a cold, so she was not into getting her hands dirty....watch out next year though. Riley was very into cleaning the "guts" out of the carving pumpkin. She was in up past her elbows scooping out all the seeds and stuff and did an awesome job cleaning it out. Mike had fun carving it up as usual and it turned out awesome. I tried to take a picture of it but my flash went off and it looks like I had the lights on. Oh well, you get the idea of what it looks like.
Today Payton also played with playdoh for the first time. She was not totally into this either, but did not try to eat it so I guess that is a bonus. Riley cannot wait for her to enjoy doing these things that she loves. In the slideshow, there are also some pictures from a few weeks ago that just never made it onto the computer until now. Riley was sharing one of her favorite things...the laundry basket...with Payton. As Payton gets older Riley loves that they can do more things together, although is really starting to hate that Payton gets into all her things. And so it begins....

Riley is SUPER excited for Halloween tomorrow! At bedtime she said that she wished she could trick or treat first and then go to school:) She is looking forward to getting candy, as well as handing ours out. We will see how Payton does with the whole thing and I will try and get some pictures tomorrow.

Pumpkin Patch 2011

Last Saturday we headed out to get some pumpkins and have a little fun. We were so lucky that it turned out to be such a beautiful day!! And ironically, we met Mallory, Mike and Farrah there too. (Someone at work had recommended the same place to them...) It turned out that it was also Civil War Days there too, so it was a little more crowded that usual but we still had a blast. Of course Riley had to do the usual train ride...although this year we let her go all by herself. We also saw and pet the animals, went through the corn maze and hay maze, played in the little village, and this year we tried out the Abyss....the haunted barn! It was geared towards kids and the lights were on with no real actors, but Riley still said never again:) They said they closed down the scary parts and Mike would really like to go back at night some time. Payton had a blast walking around all of the open space, especially in between all of the pumkins! It was hard to snap any good pictures of her. We all had a beautiful fall day at Dollinger's! Next weekend...carving those great pumpkins that we got and trick or treating:) (Riley is counting the days....)

Future musician??

On Thursday night Payton picked up Riley's recorder. We were so shocked when she was able to make it work immediately! She was so cute walking around playing it. Of course she was moving quick....as she always does...and it made snapping a photo and video difficult.

Kindergarten Pictures

Here is Riley's kindergarten picture. She looks so grown up to us!! She is finally all adjusted and we cannot believe how much she is learning;)