September & October Happenings

A bumble bee, Cinderella (don't you love the hair!), & Jeff Gordon.

Halley marching in her "parade" at school today

Finding the perfect Pumpkin was quite the task this year, but in the end we found 3 of the best pumpkins!

"Let me help you with that, Dad"

Halley found the perfect pumpkin

"I found MY pumpkin!"

Cameron turns 2--October 6th!

I can't believe our baby just turned two! He had fun opening his presents, eating cake, & he seemed pretty amused while everyone was singing to him.

Not too messy for feeding himself!

Go Tigers!

Kevin & Collin went to a Tigers game together in September & Kevin & I went to a different game together.

Collin got to run the bases after the game--he had quite a fun day with his dad!

Well, hopefully I will be better at posting pictures next month! Hope you've enjoyed seeing some snapshots of what has been a very busy time for our family! Not only have we been busy with family fun, but we have had out of town company, went to Ohio for a long weekend, AND I started a new business as a Premier Designs Jeweler! So, yes, we've been busy!

Picasso or Michelangelo??

Is the next Picasso or Michelangelo living at our house?

Yes, this is a masterpiece from a real artist who, by the way, has not even celebrated his 2nd birthday! Long story short, little Michelangelo (Cameron) decided to get into the living room paint while I was helping Halley cross the street. Was I gone for 10 minutes? 5 minutes? No! Maybe 2-3 at the most. Yes, my little artist works fast & hard. By the time I came inside, he greeted me at the door with paint on his lips, his forehead, his shirt, & all over his brand new jeans! He was as proud as he could be to show me all of his handprints on the table, walls, & floor!

My little artist watching me clean up his mess--do you see that mischievous look on his face?

Thank you, Grammy. Yes, I did NEED this car!

"Look, Mimi!" (Cameron talking to his Mimi on the phone)

Halley's First Day of Preschool

Today was another "first" in our household. Halley went to "peeschool" today. Despite some apprehension leading up to today, Halley did very well. Her mom, on the otherhand, held it together just long enough to make it to the car! With every "first", it seems that we leave behind a "last". I am beginning to understand all of those statements from other moms who have said time & time again--"enjoy these days because before you know it, they'll be gone." So, that is what I'm trying to remember--to enjoy even the smallest moments.

Halley & Emily all ready for school.

Halley's locker is the one with the pretty red "buffly"

Yesterday was a fun day where we went & explored the classroom. Halley & I had a little date at Dairy Queen & then headed off to see her school.

All Ready for our First Day of School!

Showing of her new tinkerbell backpack.

Whee--Halley loved the playground!

Collin's First Day of 2nd Grade

Well, we officially said goodbye to summer & hello to early mornings and a structured routine. Routine is always a good thing for us, but I did not want to say goodbye quite yet to jammie days & beach days. Luckily, Collin was really excited for his first day of second grade. He starts school at 8 am & at 7:20, he was ready to head out the door! I think this is the fastest he's ever been ready before--I wonder how long that will last...

Today is also back to work for me. I am babysitting for our neighbor again this year--so Halley is thrilled to have a playmate all day. Cameron seems a little lonely without Collin already. I wasn't sure if he would notice, but nothing really gets past him! One last bit of news...Kevin starts 2nd shift today--ugh! Collin only gets to see him on the weekends, so this is hardest on him (at least emotionally), but we're hoping he'll be going back to 1st by October...

Well, I still can't believe that my baby is in 2nd grade...will I be saying this every year??

Good Times with Good Friends

We just finished off our last weekend of summer. Time to say goodbye to those lazy days & get back into the school routine. My best friend Kristina & her family came to visit, and we had a great weekend. We stayed busy with trips to the park, the petting zoo, and we even went out on a double date!

Collin feeding the goats at the petting zoo

Cameron wanted to be part of all the feeding action too.

Halley riding the horse

Getting ready to go out on our date.

All of the kids wanted to wear their hats to the park--even the little guys! Cameron wouldn't put his down the whole time we were at the park.

"Ballellet"

Halley had her first day of tap & ballet, or ballellet as it is known by Halley. She was a little nervous because the parents can't stay & watch, but once she was there she had a great time. I secretly watched through the door & was able to catch glimpses of her tapping her toes & spinning around. Talk about making my momma heart skip a beat! I'm sure I'm a little biased, but I think I had the cutest ballerina in the class! Well, stay tuned...Collin's first day of 2nd grade is tomorrow.

Snaggletooth...

Can you say SNAGGLETOOTH??

Collin lost his 3rd tooth last Thursday...of course it wasn't the one that we've been waiting for to come out...the one, that has taken over the center of his mouth!

Two days later, tooth number 4 came out--Finally!

This past weekend was quite eventful. We survived the stomach flu, a tornado, and came out all in one piece...as far as the tornado, it came through our small town, but we were all safe & sound at home in our basement. We dealt without power for a couple of days, but were thankfully able to borrow a generator (thank you, Dad!) to get us through.

Collin & I had to stay home from the family picnic this weekend (pirate & princess themed as you'll see in the pictures) and rest, but I hear that Cameron & Halley had a great time.

Cameron & Aunt Moonie at the picnic

Halley, all ready for the picnic

My cute little pirate, sick at home

The kids & I also were in Ohio last week...it was my first drive by myself with the 3 kids--thank you, God for DVD players! =) They were sooo good for me--yes, the movies played all the way there & back, but they were quiet & content.

Cameron & his cousin Sebastian were best little buddies--it was really quite cute to see them "talk" in their own little baby language. One would babble, and the other would respond back!



Our little bride dressed up at Mimi's house


A fun day at the waterpark.

Another Trip to the Zoo

Last night we took another trip to the zoo. It was a members only night full of fun activites for the kids, so we loaded everyone up & tried to ignore the fact that we were gasping for air because of the near 95% humidity. Somehow, Halley talked her daddy into letting her take her baby & stroller. "Do you really think she's going to push it through the entire zoo?" I asked! Of course, Halley had her dad convinced way before I had any input...so "Lucy" also came along for the ride. Did you know that when you're four, you can forget about certain toys for weeks, and then all of a sudden you can't leave them alone because they will be too scared or they might get hurt without you? (Luckily, I, like Kevin, truly enjoy all of this baby stuff. ) Anyway, we had an evening of fun with the kids--we heard lots of interesting facts about all of the animals, rode the train, crafts, puppet shows...and lots of stickiness and sweating =)

Halley & Lucy waiting in line for the train.

This picture is priceless! We were going through a dark tunnel & we couldn't see Halley's face until after Kevin took the picture!

Look, Mommy!

Read this post last--there's one before this!

Here are a few more pictures from our trip...

Halley & I in Niagara

Playing in the very cold ocean--Collin was fearless & Cameron was pretty brave too. Halley only went out to her ankles & had to hold someone's hand, but she had a blast "skipping" over the waves.

The lake by our condo

Chillin' at the beach on big bro's new wave board

Posing on the a different beach in Maine.