Halloween

Luke with Molly.  He definitely is her guardian, if anyone leaves the door open for a second he closes it right away.

Just love his Halloween costume this year

Annual trick or treating picture BEFORE it started raining

Emma dressed up like a character from Phineas and Ferb, Vanessa Dufinsmorch or something like that.  She does look exactly like her!

Amelia dressed up like McKenna - a gymnast with a broken foot.

Of course we went to Light the Night at BCF like we do every year, and Amelia chose a pumpkin for her facepainting picture.  The kids had a lot of fun, especially since it was cold and rainy outside.  First we stopped Trunk or Treat and quickly made the rounds, getting lots of candy in a short amount of time in the rain, it is the most efficient way to trick or treat.

We made this video for a sweet friend of ours who loves "Tats".

Misc pics

Amelia's family tree with cupcakes!

A cupcake tower I made for a wedding

I get to see Neil Diamond!!!  His first stop of his world tour.

Amelia likes to dress up her pumpkin,

Amelia with her crutches

Luke and Mo with their soccer trophies

Molly got into the spirit of Halloween by dressing up as Professor McGonagal from Harry Potter.

First Day of School... a little late

Of course there needs to be a crazy picture

The girls with KK

Spontaneous playdate after school one day with lots of kids

GO HOKIES!

Luke?

Something strange is going on at our house.  I think someone kidnapped Luke, and replaced him with a much more easygoing, obedient, and helpful child.  For example, tonight at dinner, Joel asked if someone could get the ketchup.  Luke said, "I will!".  He also told us tonight that Sunday is his favorite day of the week because you get to make boxes in Sunday School and learn about God.  Emma fell on the stairs and he gave her a hug.  He made his bed without being asked.  He put his homework folder away in his backpack by himself!  And the other day he put on his shoes without being asked.  Now, he did throw a mini fit this morning because he wanted to take blue blanky in the car and we wanted him to wear a jacket, but  it was nothing in comparison to some other fits he's been throwing lately.  

Could the change have anything to do with his new girlfriend?  About a week ago he asked a girl in his class if she would be his girlfriend.  Apparently she said no, but Luke said she meant yes.  She must have because they are all giggly around each other, and her mom said she is so excited to be his girlfriend.  He chased her around the playground and when his teacher asked why he was chasing her, he replied "Because I love her".  Secret candy has been given, books have been retrieved for her, and he plans to buy her lipstick.  We wholeheartedly approve of the match :)

Other news in the house is that Amelia broke her toe a few weeks ago; she was doing cartwheels in the living room and her foot slammed down on the coffee table.  At first they thought her foot was broken too, but luckily it was fine.  This has forced her though to take a break from gymnastics, hopefully she will start up again after Christmas.

We have loved the fall weather this year!  It is the most beautiful fall I can remember.  But, I think winter and snow are on their way :)

It's Fall!

Luke found his costume at Goodwill! And he wore it at the store.

We got to go to Joe's Trees where they have a pumpkin patch that doesn't cost a million dollars!  We went on a hayride and I loved the beautiful scenery.

Luke and Moey. They are best friends at school and during soccer. Luke scored 2 goals today!  I think the promise of ice cream helped.

Mia with her crazy gymnastics 

Visiting the McKnights

The kids and I got to spend 4 days near Columbia, SC with our good friends the McKnights.  We chose to go during Joel's finals week, that way he got extra time to study.  It must have worked because he got an A in the class :)

We got to go to the Columbia Zoo one day and the kids really enjoyed it.  Luke and Harmon spent a lot of time playing Wii and the girls were rainbow loom bracelet makers!  I can't even count how many bracelets they made during our trip.  We got to go swimming in their neighborhood pool which was very fun.  I think we will be visiting them again in the near future!

Charlotte hiding among the bamboo

My girls

The gang at the zoo

Luke milking a cow

They had people feeding the giraffes so they came right up to you.  Their tongues were really long!

Mia

They had penguins inside

Tough guys

Summer 2014

These are some more random summer pics!  Here Luke was playing football at Aunt Rebecca and Uncle Ross's house. I have no idea what Amelia is doing!

Amelia's birthday party had gotten canceled last December because she was sick and I wasn't feeling so great. To make up for it, we went away alone to a hotel in Roanoke for one night.  We had a great time swimming, eating candy, watching a movie, and painting our nails.  It was MUCH better than hosting a party :)

Luke got glasses!   We knew it was coming, we just didn't know exactly when.

I think this is a Hilton Head sunset?  My happy place.

Molly is SO happy that Luke is holding her like this. When she hears him coming, she crouches down and runs to the closest shelter. She does think that if she hides under a table, we can't see her.

Fourth of July parade, downtown Blacksburg

This is Sloan.  Our favorite almost 2 year old.  We got to babysit her for a few hours one day and the girls pretty much did all of the work.  They are training to be mother's helpers soon.  She is so sweet and such a delight!

This year I was in charge of a snack for the VBS goody bags.  The theme was camping so we put the ingredients for a smore in a bag along with microwave instructions.  Charlotte was visiting for part of the week to go to VBS, and she spent some time at our house which is always so fun.  Here are the kids stuffing the bags.

Joel and the kids had a "campout" in our backyard.  They put up a tent, made a fire for smores, and were so excited to sleep outside.  I wisely slept inside.  At 10:30pm they all came indoors to sleep.  Apparently it was too scary.

The girls with Charlotte

I am not sure what Amelia is doing here?