Ah the Joy of Halloween!!!!

Most people know that Halloween is my FAVORITE holiday! 

I love the spookiness, the costumes, the decorations, the treats, the stories, the history and most of all the time of year. Living in the midwest for the last 7 yrs we have been able to enjoy the color of the season but haven't really gotten to enjoy the fun of Trick or Treating. It was always too cold. But finally being back in the west we have seen lovely weather for this fun activity. I know lots of people posted here on base would beg to differ but it sure as heck beats the rain/sleet/snow we saw in Ohio for 5 yrs. Kadi was SO excited for Halloween to come, she would ask everyday if it was here or not.

I had my work cut out for me too. I initially thought that she would want to be a princess again or even a super hero, however she found out that one of her little friends was being a My Little Pony so that is what she wanted as well. Instead for trying to find a costume that was modest and not TOO dumb looking I decided to decided to make our own costume that would be sturdy enough for her to wear for dress up too. I am pretty pleased with how it turned out. Since Kadi had decided to be Fluttershy we decided to dress Teagan as Angel, Fluttershy's pet bunny. That costume I didn't make, and that is ok. 

 Our friends the Frei's, Twilight Sparkle (Scarlett), Pinkie Pie (Ivory), Spike (Forest) and Starr.

 I decided to slightly dress up as Rainbow Dash...you do what you can when your a busy mom.

Kadi and Scarlett were much more excited to be ponies then they look.

 On our way to find CANDY!!! We hit half our street before daddy got home.

We had to have our at home superhero dress up as his alter ego...a Marvel superhero.

He even sat still while I drew a mask on...as best I could with what I have. We love him and appreciate him. He truly is our every day hero!!! 

 Trying to charge his "ring". 

Kadi LOVES to dress up and LOVES to show people her outfit. Kadi's dance class had a Halloween party where her teacher let the girls where their costumes. Since Kadi's costume is so big and tricky to dance in she borrowed a dress from the studio. She was SO excited!!! She LOVED how it sparkled.

This little miss had her first Halloween. She is such a happy girl, as long as she can see her mommy. Such a momma's girl...I don't mind most of the time. She is even starting to play more and entertain herself.

I do believe she has started to teeth...at least I don't think she has reflux anymore...that's one positive note.

Another month down...growing so much!

This past week my dark haired beauty turned 5 months old!

I can't believe this little girl is getting so big!!!

A few of her developmental milestones include,

Rolling from tummy to back

Grabbing toys firmly

Sleeping thru the night

Working on sitting up

And of course...tons of smiles and giggles!

She LOVES her sister!!! She is very much a momma's girl...which can be frustrating sometimes but I love it too. She has darker hair, eyes, and skin then Kadi did at her age. Not to mention she is SO much chubbier than Kadi EVER was!

Teagan

Kadi

Similar but yet SO different!!!

I LOVE my girls!!!

Pumpkins, Thriller, cousins and a Ferriswheel!

We LOVE it when we get daddy for a long weekend!!!

We were able to work on some of our projects we have around the house, hunt for pumpkins, and to dance to Michael Jackson. 

Travis showed Kadi our dance game we have on the Wii recently which is a good amount of MK music. She fell in love instantly! She has always loved our Rock Band games but this was something new. And with her love of dance it made for some fun evenings. She now knows several songs by name and even some of the lyrics. We also decided to try one of the corn mazes near home to explore and to choose pumpkins. Sadly the big maze was closed when we had daddy with us, so we just went to a local nursery who had a small maze and pumpkins.

Even though it wasn't the big place it was still tons of fun just being with the girls. We did take our neighbors, the kids love each other so they chased each other forever.

Kadi trying to give her scared face!

"The spider is watching you!"

"I found a BIG pumpkin!"

While we were reorganizing the garage Kadi decided to show some of her Thriller moves as we were listening to his cassette tape...remember those?!?!

Over the weekend we ran to Billings. Levi (Trav's oldest brother) and Riki were coming in from Wyoming for a youth temple trip. When we know they are coming to town we try to make it down since it is a half way point for them. Even Grandma Judy and Papa Dude came to town.

We played with cousins, fed ducks, attended a temple session, went swimming and rode on the ferriswheel at Sheels. 

Kadi got to ride it twice. Once with daddy and once with Grandma.

She is getting so grown up...but even big girls need their daddies.

We had so much fun with family. 

Thank you for watching the girls so Travis and I could go to the temple...it had been a while.

We're SO excited to see everyone at Thanksgiving.

Fire Safety Week

I love my girls!!!

I love the fact that Teagan looks for her big sister. Anytime she sees Kadi she smiles SO big.

Sure she has bad days and so does Kadi, but the girls are always so sweet to each other. I am such a blessed momma.

This week on base has been Fire Safety week.

It is a time where the fire fighters on base show off their trucks, have a mini parade, and even come to read stories at the library.

I can't believe how grown up Kadi is now.

She was so nervous last year to see Sparky. This year that is what she was the most excited about. 

She waited so patiently for her turn to take pictures with him. Even though she isn't the most polite to me at least she treats others with love and respect.

I am doing something right.

Exploring the truck thoroughly.

Teagan has figured out her napping schedule. After she goes down for a nap I send Kadi up for a quiet time so I am able to have quiet time as well. 

As you can see...totally partying it up!

Oh the joys of being a mom, no time for the weary thats for sure.

Home again, Home again, Jiggity jig!

We are home from Ohio. Now to get the girls back to their Montana schedule.

It was an AWESOME trip. We LOVED seeing our dear dear friends.

Michelle and Beth are as close as sisters to me. So seeing them after being gone for a year was a breathe of fresh air. 

Ohio is so beautiful this time of year. We took the girls for a drive several times just so we could see the leaves changing colors. We were able to visit with 2 of Trav's old coworkers (Annie and Jen Sweat). Spent several days with the Kraczeks (Michelle and Jeff), a day with the Grobergs (Tanisha, Andrew and their girls) and I was even able to see one of my old students (Anna).

It was a whirlwind of a trip but we had so much fun and loved seeing those that we miss.

Now that we're home school has resumed, Trav is back at work, and doctor appointments are being scheduled. 

Dermatology-followup after they removed a basal cell melanoma (skin cancer) 2 yrs ago.

Renal Artery ultrasound-looking for a reason behind my high blood pressure. Travis heard a abdominal brewery one evening so the tests will figure out what is going on...hopefully.

I would love it if our everyday schedules were totally relaxed and normal, but apparently that's not how our family works. That's ok, at least we have each other and have fun every moment we can.

Our trip back to our Ohio home

This weekend has been amazing!!!

We are so blessed to be able to make it back to Ohio this week. It was absolutely necessary to come back for our dear friends wedding.

Adam Bihn and Elizabeth (Beth) Greschner have been together for 6 yrs, 4yrs of which engaged. I have known them for most of that time. They were both a major part of our lives when we were in Dayton. Always there when we needed and supported us through all our trials.

Needless to say we consider them family.

It was a beautiful simple ceremony. Totally fitting that it was outside, and it ended perfectly as the sun set. Perfect for pictures after....I haven't uploaded the other pictures yet.

We didn't get to visit as much as we wanted during the reception so we visited the next day at the AF Museum.

Kadi LOVED chasing after Adam, looking at all the planes and just running in general.

Sunday we went to our old ward...briefly...and then went to one of our favorite Metro Parks, Germantown.

Kadi being our trail leader.

This was one of the first hikes we went on when we moved to Ohio...this valley had less growth 6 yrs ago.

I HAD to post this jewel of a photo!

Kadi would take my water bottle and figured out that her view changed...guess what so did ours! 

Silly silly girl!!

Lastly it's time for a update on Little Miss Teagan.

Teagaroo turned 4 months right before we left for Ohio, growing like a weed!!!

Weight: 11 pounds 8.48 onces...you've almost doubled your weight yay!!!

Height: 24 1/2 inches

Head: 39 centimeters

• Along with helping sister with her preschool work your working on your own achievements...rolling from tummy to back!
• You only wake up once a night now, better than your big sister sometimes!
• You love watching your big sister. She loves to give you kisses, hug you, give you toys, and dance for you.
• You still don't like going to anyone else other than momma, you put up with daddy but still prefer mom.

Kadi's stats November 2012

Weight: 12 pounds 3 onces

Height: 24 3/4 inches        

Head: 41.8 centimeters

Just some fun...

The joys of being a stay at home mom...no obligations just LOTS of down time and fun with adorable girlies!!!

We had to have a photo session...not sure Teagan was a fan at the end.

In efforts of trying to get ready for our week in Ohio I needed a hair cut, went back to dark hair with some added PURPLE!!! I enjoy being able to change up my hair so easily.

Travis' goal was to change up Kadi's bed before we left so that she would be used to a big girl bed before we left. Kadi's bed is convertible however it did not have a foot board. So Trav took the side ends and built his own foot board and frame. I can't believe my little girl is ready for her own double bed!!! She is getting so grown up!

There you have it, the end of the week for this busy home...on to the next adventure!