Trunk 'n Treat!

We spent this Halloween with family. The best way to spend any holiday - really the best way to spend any day at all!

Eisley holding my grandpa's hand. Such a precious photo.

My grandma holding Eisley.

Eisley at our church Trunk 'n Treat event, trying to eat a Butterfinger. She did eventually tear it open!

As a new little walker, this was the cutest costume ever. Her 8 little legs swayed back and forth adorably as she walked.

Emmett and his cousin Wyatt. Both are "wild animals" which Emmett was pretty excited about!

My sweet little lion. However, after I painted his face, he looked in the mirror and declared, "a mouse!" "It's not a mouse, it's a lion. Does that look like a mouse? Did I do it wrong?" Oh well!

Eisley and her cousin Icyle

Emmett and I were the narrators in the skit Eric wrote. It was fabulous!

And Eric was the lead :)

The kids in the chaos of the trunk 'n treating.

Family photo.

Extended family photo. Isn't this a great one!

My little lion with his slap bracelet.

Eric took the boys out trick or treating in our neighborhood.

Emmett came home with rosy cheeks and a bag full of candy!

I've become quite a fan of trick or treating. It's a great lesson in obedience, waiting your turn, and saying "thank you!" Eric took Emmett out trick or treating house to house for the first time this year. Emmett did a great job and I consider it a wonderful use of a teachable moment :).

Maple Maze

Today we went to the Maple Maze with my sister-in-law, her two kids, my in-laws, and my friend's 3 kids. We had a blast!

It was really high! I even crawled up there - to save a stranded child - Emmett...but eventually he got used to it and then climbed up and down numerous times.

Yea! He went down the slide!

Can you spot all 4 boys?

Who needs a quarter when you have a Papa?

Eisley chasing her friend up the ladder.

Eisley carried this wipe around with her forever.

Emmett getting in on the action.

I Love that smile!

I had 5 kids in my lap when we started getting the camera out for a picture, of course those picturesque moments never last long!

Afterwards we went to my in-laws house where Eisley fell in love with the drum!

and the microphone.

TX meets MN

My sister-in-law (who is also one of my closest friends), Amber, came into town from TX today. She and her two kids are spending almost 2 weeks here and we couldn't be more excited! Our sons were born 2 months apart and our daughters were born 6 months apart. The problem is, whenever she's in town I get WAY behind on my blog for two reasons 1) we take a gazillion pictures so it's hard to decide which to post on my blog so I don't post any at first 2) we spend so much time together so that the kids (and I) are so exhausted I just go to bed instead of blog. So anyway, I may get a bit behind, but don't worry, I'll catch up!

Since it was (almost) freezing and pouring rain, instead of going to the apple orchard as we had originally planned, we went to the Mall of America to play with Legos.

"Ooooo, Lego Land!"

Eisley was thrilled (albeit briefly) to be sitting amongst the Duplos.

This is what she looked like, just moments later.

Emmett building his car...

Amber and her kids.

My kids and me.

My kids.

After the mall, I left the kids with the rest of the gang and went to see my friend, Jennifer, and her son Stellan, in the hospital. We celebrated his first birthday!

I made this amazing sign (insert sarcasm) :)

Amanda made this amazing cake (absolutely no sarcasm, it was amazing).

And Jennifer made this AMAZING child :) (well, you know, with a little help from God and PC).

Turns out my kids didn't miss me one bit during my time with Jennifer. Emmett filling his mouth with whipped cream. Life doesn't get much better than Grandma and Papa's house!

Amber and I doing a "laughing to hard you pee your pants (literally)" (all you moms out there you know what I'm talking about - sorry to the rest of you) photo shoot. This is, believe it or not, one of the least creepy pictures. We were trying not to smile.

at home shopping

Today the kids "went shopping" at our house. They shopped for groceries, gourds and of course..

..."bideo dames."

How cute is this?

Side note, it really bugs me that the color changes so drastically when I upload the photos to blogger. Anyone know what I can do about that?