Veteran's Day school project

 Amara was sent home with a Veteran's Day project to complete and of course our first thought was to focus on Grandpa Young! We got lucky and they happened to be coming up to visit--so I grabbed a quick picture of Amara and her favorite vet, and then later we got to work on the artwork. 

We had to complete her project before we left for Disney--and we wanted to get it done so it would be included with her class presentation. I think she did a GREAT job on it and she was very happy and proud to be able to recognize her grandpa with her school mates. 

Trick or treat with the Frabott's

Because we have such awesome friends...we were invited to go to TWO trick or treats this year and BOTH were awesome weather! 

When it was time to go with Mal and Mik--the girls had a long day of cheer, a party, etc. but they were raring to go!

We got to walk all around their development, bumping into friends, bonfires, and just a great, fun evening--the police were even on hand handing out treats from the cruiser and they loved that! 

By the time we got about half done, they were tired and we stopped for a bathroom break, but we kept on. The girls got along well and had a great time--even though it sprinkled a little on them. We are so lucky to have such awesome friends!

Callie's halloween party

Our school friend Callie invited us out to her Halloween party on Oct. 31, which was between the last Upward and that celebration and trick or treating with the Frabott family. We rarely turn down a party and love this family, so it was on! Baby Nolan and mom Miranda were dressed as an oompah lompah and Violet from Charlie and the Chocolate factory and looked awesome. 

Callie was strawberry shortcake complete with red hair!  They set up an awesome scary forest in the back which i'm SURE was more scary later after dark, but the girls loved it anyway. 

And what fall party is complete without a hayride? We went all over the back and into the front up and down the hills. It was sprinkling a little but it was awesome. 

And they had cookies set up inside to frost--it was about the only thing i could get the girls interested in eating, they were too busy having fun~ it was a great party and perfect night (although busy) and we really had a blast!

Upward end of season celebration

After the girls last game of the season, they were invited into the church to perform one last time and be recognized for all their hard work.

We ran out for lunch then came back and the girls were excited to be on stage. They announcer read their names and they all ran out and got in formation. They did their pom routine together and just like that were back in their seats.

The rest of the groups performed too, so they got to see other teams, and then at the end, they were given a tote (no trophy? it's ok, i'll order one) for their work. It was fun having them on the same team, but challenging. We'll see if they want to keep that up, haha.

Cora's Noah's ark party at preschool

We were thrilled to learn Cora's preschool was hosting a Noah's Ark party for Halloween--meaning Cora got to get a second costume, and she picked a black furry kitty cat. (complete with purple gloves, haha)

I volunteered to help out in the room, so I got to see all the little animals, lots of cats for the girls and a variety for the boys. They had animal crackers, cheese, and apples and got to decorate sugar cookies as the craft.  After that we headed downstairs as a class to do some trick-or-treating. 

Ms Emily was dressed as a dalmation and all the cuties lined up for me to take a pic. 

And i snuck one with my little kitty too.

And after the costumes came off, who knew, Cora and Ms. Emily matched!! Cora wanted to leave the kitty ears on--so they didn't match perfectly anymore, but the kids had an amazing party and a total blast at school that day and i'm thrilled i could be there!

Trick or treat with the Black Fam

The Black Family invited us to trick-or-treat with them again this year and we happily accepted! It was a perfect night and the girls were dressed as Mal and Evie from Disney's Descendants, complete with wigs, gloves, and capes I'd made--so we were all excited to get started!

We made our (now famous) wassail/ spiked cider and texas queso to take over. The Black fam had several families there, so the kids grabbed hot dogs and the grown ups grabbed soup before heading out. 

After trick-or-treating, the kids took turns passing out candy--which they had JUST as much fun doing, if not more--getting to see all the costumes and bing the candy bosses. 

We didn't stay too, too late, but it got dark early, and we needed to get home to get ready for school and Cora's Ark party the next day, so we headed home with full bellies, candy bags, and a great memory to fall asleep to!

Carving pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns

We had a MILLION pumpkins to choose from to carve this year so boy did we ever!! They were slightly cold inside, but the girls didn't mind and we dug RIGHT in, it was awesome!

Everyone had their scoopers and scrapers and templates and tools. I bet we spent 3 hours in all working on these. After I had my pumpkin done, I started on sorting seeds and had a side-plan going...

The kids picked out their own stencils but couldn't get things scraped out fast enough! these were thick and took some scraping. They never ONCE offered to quit!

We did take a small pizza break in the middle, but they were right back on it and before we went to bed, they had the tea lights flickering in them and the girls were SO excited! 

After they went to clean up, i went into the kitchen to whip up some pumpkin seeds and WHAT A HIT those were! the cinnamon sugar ones were gone before time to brush teeth and the savory ones eric bagged up for work--SCORE and free!

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/93408/toasted-pumpkin-seeds-with-sugar-and-spice/

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/55091/toasted-pumpkin-seeds/