Halloween

Pre-Halloween apple picking with both sets of grandparents, Aunt Cari, and cousins Brynna and Makena. Perfect apple picking weather!



Eugster's Farm visit with Aunt Cindy and the Hubers. How hilarious is a plastic cow you can milk???





Trick-or-treating in Michigan with Aunt Angela, Uncle Casey and Cousin Liam. We had a fantastic time until Anna puked, prematurely ending yet another Michigan visit. Anna keeps talking about going back. Today she asked if we could go to Michigan instead of Target...if only it were that close. We miss you guys!

Halloween night with the Billmeyer and Andres Families. This was the least blurry of my 5 photos with all the kids together. Dress up, permission to beg for candy; can you believe they were excited?! Next year I need to remember to get a photo of the adults, too. We all stepped up our costumes this year. Except for Ryan who wore the same T-shirt as last year (under a sweatshirt!) and deemed himself Spiderman. My plan is to shame him into wearing a costume next year.

Claire is 5!

A fun family party. Check out Ryan's awesome last minute cake save. In my hands the cake was turning into an "after" picture. As in "after" the castle was stormed.

Claire received replacements for her beloved ruby slippers. She has not given up the old pair, "I LOVE them!"

A costume party with Claire's friends. Lots of super heroes, fairies, and princesses attended.

Our yearly birthday trip to American Girl Place in Chicago.

Summer

School is here, summer appears to be ending...a look at what we did this summer.

Anna Turns 2!

Anna turned 2 on May 21! We celebrated with lots of cake, lots of friends, and lots of family. So much fun!!!

Happy birthday Banana!

E.L. Visit

We visited Liam and his parent's this past weekend in East Lansing. It was a great trip, until Anna started throwing up. Thankfully she waited until the last day of the trip to get sick...and we're hoping she kept her germs away from Liam. Angela posted a cute video of Claire and Liam on their blog.

60 Years and Baby Liam

We celebrated my parents' 60th birthday this weekend. Even baby Liam got to join in the fun. Above: my parents, Claire, Anna, cousin Liam and cousin Brodey.

Hilton Head

Our annual trip to Hilton Head, SC with the Hubers!
We made overnight stops at the TN Rileys 1/2 way through both ends of the drive. Thank you, thank you Rileys -- looking forward to all of the fun we get to have with you guys makes the drive much more fun!

So much fun was had in Hilton Head. About 4 days after being home Claire asked if we could go back "on Tuesday". It's so fantastic to be able to share a vacation with our fabulous friends. Thank you, thank you Prescotts for sharing your home with us. So generous!!!

Otto helping Anna put on her "crackers".

Anna, Claire, Otto and Elanor checking out the fountain in Savannah.

Mermaids: Elanor and Claire

Water folk: Anna and Otto


Claire enjoying the bubbles


Elanor and Claire heading back from the park.

Anna loved moving the water -- ocean to sand.

Our girls!