Last week of October

We tried for family pictures on Sunday.  It was very windy and surprisingly cold out!  A couple of favorites outtakes:

Look at those chubby hands!

Have I ever mentioned that we love Halloween around here?  It really is one of the kids' favorite holidays.  They love decorating, more decorating, re-arranging the decorating, dressing up, pumpkins, and of course, the candy.  That is what we have been doing this week.

 Jens doesn't do so much Halloween inspired art anymore, but Sylvie has stepped up to take his place, so don't worry, we are well ghosted, and jack 'o lanterned.  She made several pictures like this and hung them in various places around the house using grey yarn. (from the stair rails, door knobs, drawer handles, etc.)

 She made faces and wrote the names of her most important people on these pumpkins.  Love it!

 And here is one of her cute, girlie pictures.

 We carved pumpkins on Wednesday night.  I was actually a little worried that we were going to run out of time, but we made it work.  Jens stayed home sick from school Tuesday and Wednesday, so he couldn't go to soccer practice Wednesday night which gave us just enough time to get them done for Halloween.

 Jens carved his own.  Sylvie designed hers and helped carve one of the eyes--I helped with the rest.  Her pumpkin was strangely thick and difficult to carve!

 End product:

 Pretty darn cute!

 Halloween Jens was well enough to go to school for crazy hair day. (phew!) Sylvie had a costume parade, program, and party, which Cora and I attended.  It was fun to see her class in action.  She was very pleased with her costume, which she designed and assembled mostly on her own, with just a few helps and suggestions from me. (She originally wanted to wear short sleeves and have me paint her arms, hands, neck and face pink, which I thought might be a little terrifying looking--we settled for long sleeves, gloves, and a little face paint.)

Cora was a bunny, too.  I think that convinced Sylvie to not be "Barbie," which was her original, NOT approved by Dad choice (although we both think she really meant she wanted to be a princess). 

 We had dinner and trick or treating with friends, after hopping up to El Dorado Hills to visit our friend, Wendie Day.  She made the kids special treat bags and got them some really fun sticker books.

Our little crew:

 Looking scary!!

 The loot!  Cora looks pretty happy with it.

 We got home in time to pass out candy to some big groups of kids including a bunch of people from Jens's class.  Mike and Jens joined their group and went out for another hour of trick or treating while Sylvie, Cora, and I stayed home and passed out candy.  Everyone ate lots of sweets, went to bed ridiculously late, and had a great time.

Happy Halloween!

October, weeks 3 and 4

Jens got himself a Rainbow Loom with some of his birthday money.  He has been "looming" up a storm.  We have so many rubber band bracelets we could open a store. He loves trying different color combinations and patterns.  He has already gotten his money's worth out of it, I think!

The kids had Columbus Day off (weird, I know) so we took the opportunity to go to Apple Hill.  We had a great time picking apples and stopping for treats.  The kids were so well behaved and pleasant to be with.  It was a fun morning. 

Sylvie and Cora color coordinated this day.  Sylvie compiled and put on Cora's headband so they would match even more. 

Sylvie's first school picture day!  What a cutie. 

Mike ran a half marathon on Saturday morning, so it was just the kids and me for Sylvie's soccer game.  We thought it would be cold, so we came prepared, but the sun was so bright and warm that Jens used his blanket as a shield instead.  He is reading Harry Potter under there.  

I think I mentioned Cora's love for the blue seal last week?

Jens went to the school's All Goblin's Festival in conjunction with a birthday party.  He likes looking scary--definitely zombie-ish!I think he was muttering "Braaaiiinssss!"

While Jens was partying, we took the girls and met friends at Costa Vida.  Cora has taken to Sylvie's old move, "The Noodle."  It makes her feel extra heavy. 

This is one of my favorite outfits that Sylvie has.  It looks especially great with her red clogs.  I insisted on a picture before she and Mike went to school. Sadly, she spilled something nasty brown and permanent on both the sweater and skirt at school.  I tried bleach with no luck.  If anyone has suggestions, I would love to hear them!

I got to go with Sylvie to High Hill Ranch (Apple Hill) for her school field trip.  We had a tour and a hay ride and finished with apple cider and an apple.  She and Cora were both very good and it was a beautiful day. 

Our cute little bug is growing so fast!

I had a birthday.  I am 35 now, which seems so weird.  And look at all those kids!  How did I get here? I'm not sure, but I know I am pretty darn lucky!

And MORE soccer!  Does anyone feel like the soccer season is lasting forever or is it just me?  Good thing it is fun to watch!

Saturday night we got a head start on eating ourselves sick with the ward Trunk or Treat and chili dinner.  It was very fun and featured a lot of treats (cookies, ice cream, chips, AND candy--Mike's dream come true!)  This is the only picture of the night, courtesy of dear Leslie Grayson--glad we captured that little kitty cat!