Trickin and Treatin

Halloween this year wasn't as eventful as we had initially planned. Gracie broke out in hives earlier in the week and came down with a fever that wouldn't break unless she was constantly drugged for a couple of days. Payton started to not feel good Halloween day, so we had to reevaluate our initial plans. On Halloween day, we ended up missing a first birthday party, a wedding, and trick or treating with some friends at night.

Payton was begging to go trick or treating and wear her Cinderella costume. Since she was feeling better after taking a nap, Ryan decided to take her out to a couple of our neighbor's houses so she could collect a little candy. I stayed home while Gracie slept and I handed out candy to our many trick-or-treaters.

She was so excited!!!

Next year we will make Halloween more fun! Thankfully everyone is feeling better for the time being and hives have finally left our house!

A little treating

On Thursday, October 29th, the girls' friend Austin had a Halloween birthday party. All of the kids decorated their own mini-cake, had yummy Mickey pancakes and goofy eggs, Buzz apple juice, etc. The party was so much fun!

Gracie as Tinkerbell
Payton as Cinderella (her favorite!)

Gracie, Payton, Hudson, Birthday boy Austin, and Maddie

Fairy-Taylor, Tinkerbell-Gracie and Monkey-Grayson

Most of the kiddos

Back row: Monkey-Noah, Octopus-Charlotte, Astronaut-Neil, Monkey-Hudson, Train Conductor-Will, Kenji Johjima-Ryan, Panda Bear-Caitlin, Cinderella-Payton

Front row: Pirate-Levi, Shark-Jack, Tinkerbell-Gracie, Buzz Light year-Gabriel, and Astronaut-Adrian.

Fairy Taylor, Ariel Jordan, Cinderella and Tink

We looooove chocolate!

Blessed

An amazing group of Moms whom I am blessed to have in my life! I don't know what I would do without these women. My family and I are so fortunate to know them!

Back row: Stephanie, Molly, Elesha (holding Cole, Samantha's son) Teresa, Abbey, and Hilary

Middle row: Natalie (holding Taylor), Nadine, Kelsie, Samantha, Me, and Priscilla

In Front: Karen

The leaves are falling..

Payton and her friend Jack out in our front yard playing in the leaves..

Somehow our pumpkins wandered off of our porch to play in the leaves too!

Happy Fall!

Field trip with Payton's school

Wednesday, October 21st, Payton's class had a field trip to Craven Farm in Snohomish. It was our second time to the pumpkin patch this year, but we were very excited to go again. It was a VERY rainy day, which made for a wet and muddy experience, but it was still fun!

Payton's best friend Jordan and her with Snow White and a couple of the dwarfs.
Gracie and her "Na-Na"
Her bunny blankie goes EVERYWHERE with her and the pumpkin patch was no exception.

Gracie, Jordan, and Payton

me and my girls.. a little wet

Natalie, Taylor, Jordan, Payton, Me and Gracie

We have a picture of Natalie and I with Jordan and Payton when they were one and at the pumpkin patch. So fun that we are able to have their little sisters with us on this one.

Trip to Carleton Farms

Last week we went to Carleton Farms in Lake Stevens. Ryan and I have been going there every year since we've been married and have made it a tradition to take the girls now too. This year, Ryan's mom came with us! The weather held up, we picked out a few pumpkins, and a wonderful time together. We can't wait to do it again next year!

Payton at the " How tall this fall".

She wasn't standing up very straight, so it's hard to tell how much she's grown since last year.

Click HERE to see Payton from last year.
Gracie can now stand on her own, so we can take pictures of her every year now.

Payton, Grammi, and Gracie

The girls were so excited that Grammi was coming to the patch with us!!!!!

Grammi waiting at the end of the tube for Payton

Payton inside the tube

Grammi hiding behind the corn to sneak up on Payton as she was running by.

Washing our pumpkins

Our family

Gracie and I

Me and Payton

Alone without Kiddos

Thursday, October 8th, Ryan and I headed out of town to Portland, OR for a few days child-free. The girls went to my parent's house in Cle Elum to be spoiled rotten while we had much needed alone time! Ryan had been planning our little getaway since August and we were so excited to be alone, we could barely contain ourselves!

Our drive down.

Ryan was trying to look serious.. it worked.
Us at Stanfords.
We actually sat in the bar, enjoyed happy hour, and had some drinks.. everyday!

The ice rink at Llyod Center

"Made in Oregon" sign

We went to a street fair in Oregon. It's held every Saturday and Sunday, ten months out of the year. This particular vendor had all of his artwork displayed on his bicycle.

We wrapped up our weekend at Buffalo Wild Wings.. very yummy.

Ryan and I had such a wonderful time together! We slept in, held hands, shopped, ate yummy food, spent a lot of time together chatting and laughing, and overall reconnected. It felt like we were dating again. Our hopes are to have a four day getaway every October, just the two of us.

Here is a video of a few guys playing their buckets at the street fair.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Friday October 2nd, the four of us headed over to Cle Elum to celebrate my Dad's birthday. All of us kids (my brothers and I) and our families were coming over for the birthday celebration during the day and then Dad and Rosie's friends were coming over for dessert in the evening.

The girls playing the piano. Grandma is going to give the girls piano lessons when they get older.

Trent, Kaden, and Payton
Friday night the kids slept in the living room

Gracie greeting them after they all woke up

Saturday:

My step-brother Jon and his family arrived around noon. My step-mom Rosie loves to take pictures, so we all knew that since we were going to all be together for the day, to be prepared to have a photo session! Here's a few that I took with my camera. Once I receive the ones from Rosie's camera, I'll post those.

Gracie and Kyleigh (in the back)

Brooke, Kaden, Payton and Trent on the rail

Six of the eight grandchildren

Jon and Rachel

Kyleigh and Brooke

Rachael and Ryan

Kaden and Trent

Rosie and Dad

Ryan and I

Payton and Gracie

Saturday evening:

After we all had a yummy dinner, Dad and Rosie's friends came over for dessert.

Dad's cake with all SIXTY candles.

Dad successfully blew out all of the candles!

We had a wonderful time celebrating Dad's birthday. It was great being able to hang out with my brothers and all of our kids got to play. I didn't get as many pictures as Rosie did, but I'll post them once I have them.

Happy Birthday Dad! I hope you had a fabulous day!!!

Sisters