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/

Young Fall festival at the Jahns

We had an absolute blast at our fall party this year! The weather was perfect, in the 50's--not so cold that it wasn't fun, but cool enough for a great bonfire! Eric and I found some fun games for the now "older" kids, like relays which he loved--

Cora and Amara loved that Maria drove up from Virginia to do face-painting for everyone and it was amazing as usual!

Amara ran around playing host all party, while Cora just slid down the giant slide as many times as possible, can you blame her?

All the kids school and activity friends came and had a blast with them--it was a really great time with all of them that we hardly ever get to see!

By the end of the night, and after a few hayrides, the gloves and hats were coming out and the kids were still going strong--on their second rounds of hot cocoa and candy. 

I know i reflect every year, but we are so lucky that the girls have made such great friends in their different sports and at school. We love this party to be able to catch up and have all the kids play and just relax!

grandma Jackie's surprise 70th party

Dad asked me to put together a surprise party for mom this year for the big 7-0, and of course I did. We agonized over the where but the when was always on her birthday. The girls and Eric did a TON of work to get ready, we invited 50 of her closest friends, and then prepped for the surprise. 

We all had a blast at the party (she was surprised.) Jim brought his food truck, Loops, and everyone loved that for sure! The cake and cupcakes were amazing, the favors were cute, and I had lots of help cleaning up. 

Mom told me it was the best party she'd ever had and seemed really happy--I guess mission accomplished for now :) 

picking apples with the Vogts

We were both happy and sad to go pick apples with the Vogt's this year--happy that it's our 4th year in a row to do this loved tradition but sad that it's probably the last, at least for a few years. 

We met up on a perfect fall day, warm, to get our hands on some yummy treats! The girls took off picking apples as big as their heads, running and exploring with Johnathan and giggling all the way. 

They love sampling in the orchard probably best of all! Some of the apples ready were very tart while others quite bland or sweet--I love their exploring. 

Rich got this great shot of all of them at the end. Cora was literally a BABY our first year in the big red chair, so we got one of those too. We grabbed our fruit slushies in the market and some other goodies and headed on our way. We did all stop at McD for lunch for the kids to play some more, but for sure we are going to miss these awesome people. 

show night at elite

Since it had been a while since we had done a full session at Elite and the last time Cora was in the mommy and me group--this was the first official "show" night for the girls and I was so excited to see them! Now, i'm there every week--but this was a time for them to get to "show their skills" and parents are allowed to get up close and really be engaged and they loved it. They were both focussing and yelling at us to watch them, you could see how into it they were. 

Amara seems to really enjoy the different stations--though she's still struggling with the floor tumbling. I am not sure if her broken arm from the winter might be bothering her mentally? Either way she was shining on the beam and bars and her handstand vault is amazing--though too fast to catch on my slow photography setting apparently...

Cora was rolling and tumbling all over the springfloor and literally smiling ear to ear with her coach the entire time. She loves make the final move with her hands above her head--i'm surprised she doesn't do it more at home!

And Amara knew her floor exercises without being coached or prodded at all. She whipped through her skills as if to say "what else do we have here" and was done in a flash. I'm betting they have her move up to the advanced class this winter. 

At the end, all the girls lined up to wave and they were all just so proud of their accomplishments. Every single girl out there was smiling--and they wanted to be there. It was so great to see them so proud of their work and I just wanted everyone to be able to share in that moment forever. 

Daisy Investiture Troop 2252

After just a few meetings and months and outings, it was time for Amara to officially become a Girl Scout Daisy! The girls made invitations and mailed them to the Youngs and the Jahns--we also signed up to bring food for the celebration and the girls got dolled up in their fancy dresses. 

The Daisies did their songs, and pledges, and their petal lesson for the week. Then one at a time they received their certificate and patch and then it was time for snacks. 

We brought Amara a bouquet of Daisies to celebrate this special day for her too and took lots of pictures of her in her smock!

Amara loved seeing all her new friends as she always does, Cora loved being involved. And it was nice having the grandparents there to share and celebrate with Amara too. I'm really glad we did this for her this year--and I hope she stays with it. 

Cora's ladybug hayride at Circle S

Cora Bee has officially had her first preschool field trip!! I was so excited to see this event roll around--that I did with Amara a few years ago--and Cora was excited too :) She and I headed out to Circle S on a beautiful day--and waited to meet up with the rest of the Ladybugs. 

Ms. Emily was soon there and we got our class shirt-but not before some posing ensued ;) haha! no idea where that came from!

Cora, Amelia and Katie all had fun climbing on the big old stumps!

(and then there was more posing)

and then group posing--after the kids played themselves out on the giant hay slides inside the barn. there was so much hay and dust flying you couldn't even see! they loved it :)

And after our doughnut and apple juice we visited the animals then headed out to get our pumpkin. Cora picked some cute ones for she and I both and then loaded back up on the wagon to our car--I took her home with me to enjoy the rest of our special day home together, I just love that squeezy girl.

grandpa's pumpkin patch

This year's visit to grandpa's patch at the Caldwell farm was bittersweet--it's last year at this location after so many great ones. The farm is changing hands, so dad won't be planting there. It's been so great for so long, we wanted to soak it up this year.

We made sure dad could go with us of course, and mom but as a bonus the Black family came too. The kids ran all over searching and sorting and it was a beautiful day!

Jackson came along too to help the girls and i got this adorable shot of he and Cora, one of my favs for sure!

It was early enough in the day to get home and have plenty of time to play--but the girls weren't ready to carve up their pumpkins yet. 

We snapped some pics of everyone, loaded up our vehicles, and got on the way! We brought most of our pumpkins home to decorate, but we'll take them to mom and dads before the girls fall party for the kids to take home of course. 

It's been an amazing run for the old patch!