TRICK-or-TREAT

Finally, the time for more candy than our family will ever consume in one year!! The girls looked so adorable in their costumes - Mia chose to be a cupcake and Lily wanted to use the clown costume that Mia wore a few years ago. It was dad's turn to do the walking around the neighborhood since mom is too big and pregnant for the job this year. They were gone for a long time and returned with bags full of candy. Even today when I ask Mia what she wants to eat her first response is, "Candy from my bag!" and it is usually followed with me saying something like, "That is not an option right now. Would you like a sandwich?" We have two little girls that LOVE sugar (especially chocolate) - who needs protein and vegetables??

Mia posing as our cutie cupcake!


The girls and friends ready to start to the fun!




Lily and Russ - our great neighbor, and the girls like to call him "uncle Russ." He turned 50 on Halloween.

Lily and Annie back with their loot, and trying a little of it all. I love the sugar smiles!!

Pre-Halloween

I cannot believe these days how many ways people come up with to stretch out Halloween and the chance to dress up (and to increase opportunities for lots of candy). To name a few we were involved with - dress up and a party for preschool, for dance class, for church trunk-or-treat and then for Halloween night. I guess the good news is that you get a lot of use from the costume you purchase each year! There was lots of discussion this year about Halloween's official night out since it was on a Sunday. Some in our neighborhood and at church went out of Saturday, but the Rays are traditional and we stuck to Sunday evening out with our neighbors and friends.

Here are some photos leading up to the big night out.

Mia's school doesn't have a dress up day for Halloween, but they have spirit week leading up to it and each day is something fun. Her favorite day was slipper day.


Lily got to dress up for her school parade and party.


Our cute clown - and one of the only non-princess costumes in her class.


The kids of the cul-de-sac enjoying dinner before we got costumes on to go trick-or-treating.

Short Break

Ok, I am back...my husband decided to buy a new computer (finally he got the mac he's been wanting) and it has taken me some time to get used to using it for photos and blogging, but now I can say that I love it (after many frustrating hours of figuring it out)!! Plus, with getting everything ready for the arrival of our new baby (my c-section is scheduled for Nov 18, but I won't complain if she wants to come earlier than that), Mia's many hours of homework and school projects, October/Halloween and its many parties and preparing for 2 big birthdays (Jason and Lily) - life has gotten away from me over the last few months.

So, I am going to try and do a quick catch up...

A few weeks ago we spent a morning at the pumpkin patch finding just the right pumpkins for carving and for Mia's school project.


Here is Mia's Pout Pout Fish pumpkin for school - she was one of the winners for first grade!


Another one of Mia's projects - a diorama of the desert. She got to pick an animal, and she went for the camel.

Back to Preschool

Lily just finished her first week of preschool - and she loves it! It was a rough week and a half watching Mia go off to school every day, and knowing she had to stay home with me - all alone. Not only was her sister leaving her behind, but her good buddy, Annie, was starting kindergarten this year and she was no longer around for play dates. She wouldn't want to play with me because she said "it was more fun playing with kids, not moms!" She was dying for her school to start. Finally the first day came, and she was all smiles - with her nap mat and lunch box ready the night before. She has fantastic teachers and was sad that today was Saturday and she couldn't go to school. I have to admit, I really do miss my great shopping companion during the day while she is gone. But I am taking advantage of the time alone, realizing that in about 9 weeks it will all be over for a while. :)

Lily and her gear for the day!

 

All smiles, and looking so cute.

 

In class, and ready to go.

 

Little Dancer!

So, this was Lily's first week of ballet/tap class. I am not a mother that ever encouraged dancing (I am so not a dancer) but Lily has wanted to do it for a while now, so I finally broke down and signed her up for a class. Lily tried on her shoes and leotard so she could practice the night before class started, and she searched all morning for the bag she wanted to carry her shoes in for class. Once we got there - she was in heaven!! And I have to admit she was so darn cute to watch and actually did very well in her class. She may be the ballerina/dancer I swore I would never have. Jason and I never wanted to have to participate in the recitals, costumes, make-up, etc. but with 3 little girls I guess we are bound to have at least one! :)

Lily - ready for class!!

 

She found the perfect bag to fit her ballet and tap shoes.

 

Nice pose!!

 

Mia Starts 1st Grade

This past week Mia started 1st grade! It was a big week for her and she was very ready to get back to the school routine (and so was mom). Summer was fun, but we had lots of togetherness and Mia and Lily were ready for a break from each other. :) Mia was excited to find out that she has several friends in her class this year. The year is starting off with a sub because her teacher had a baby a few days before school started, so we're excited for her to get back to teaching. But it was a great week and she loves everything about 1st grade!! The sad part for me was realizing how fast she is growing up -- the first day of school she wasn't that sure she wanted me to walk her all the way into class. I told her I was because I wanted to meet some of the other kids and take some pictures. She made me promise that the next day I wouldn't walk her into school. She is 6, and already she doesn't want her mother around.

My first grader!

 

In class on the first day of school.

 

Mia's new bike she got for riding to school this year.

 

We love UTAH in August

We just got back from a fantastic 2 weeks in Utah. There is no better time to escape the heat of Texas than in August. We loved the time we spent playing with friends and family, camping, hiking, shopping, eating out and being outside without sweating to death. In fact one day we were swimming at meemaw's condo and Lily wouldn't get in the water because it was too cold - she is truly a Texan now. The main reason we went and stayed so long was to help my mom after her foot surgery. She had to have her foot reconstructed after dealing with lots of pain and a wearing a walking boot for the past year. The girls were sweet and gentle with her and were very interested in her cast. We were able to get her out and about during the day - the girls favorite part was pushing her around stores in the wheelchair. :)

We spent the first weekend camping in the Uinta's with Jason's family. Incredible scenery and weather!! The girls and Jason had a blast. I enjoyed the time away, but camping while pregnant isn't the most enjoyable experience - especially trying to sleep at night in the tent. But we made it, and we all loved the hikes we were able to do.

It was great to spend time with friends and family that we don't see very often. We stay in Bountiful, but we always find ourselves spending lots of time in Park City - we love it up there. I was also able to take the girls to see temple square and to the children's museum one day. They amazed me with how much they learn at church and could tell me as we walked around talking about the temple and looking at the pictures and exhibits in the museum. I am so blessed to have such amazing and smart little girls.

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip - probably since this was my last getaway before our new baby girl arrives. I took full advantage of eating at my favorite places, shopping for cute baby stuff and taking long morning walks as I took in the peaceful, beautiful scenery and the cool, crisp morning air. This was our first long trip to UT where I wasn't totally ready to come home. The girls have gotten to such a great traveling age. I hope to stay as long, or longer, next summer. I forget how much I do miss the dry climate, cool mornings and evenings, super green mountains, etc. But coming home has been nice, too. And we only had a few days to get ready for school to start. 1st grade - here comes Mia!!

The girls at temple square - love the summer flowers.

 

Mia, Lily and meemaw (and her cast)!!

 

I didn't take nearly enough pictures, but here are some of what I have.