Pumpkin Carving

Two nights before Halloween we decided we better get busy carving our pumpkin. Much to my surprise Arron decided to carve the 3 little ones that the kids had picked out for themselves as well. He did an awesome job with the faces for all of them. The kids helped him dig out the guts of the big pumpkin. Anna was totally grossed out by it this year and really didn't want any part of it, but she helped some with the use of different kitchen utensils. Noah actually used his hands some this year. He normally doesn't like to touch the stuff either, but Gracie was the best helper of all three. She dug right in there and nearly looked like she was going to fall in the pumpkin.

Getting ready to dig out the pumpkin.

Anna preferred using a spoon to dig out the pumpkin, but really didn't want to do it all.

Noah dug in with his hands this year.

Gracie was our best pumpkin digger outer.

Our little pumpkins with their little pumpkins.

All of our carved pumpkins. Arron did such a great job.

Halloween Parties

We had two Halloween parties to go to, one with our mom's group with lots of moms and kiddies and a smaller one with our bestest friends. We all had so much fun at both parties, spending time with all our friends, playing little Halloween games, making crafts, and eating yummy food too. It was a wonderful time with friends, and the kids all dressed up in their Halloween costumes at both parties too.

Anna playing ring toss.

Now Gracie's turn.

Catching the little rubber duckies.

Gracie loved this.

Playing inside with all the toys.

Gracie loved the car garage with all the ramps for the cars to go down.

Anna working on her jack-o-lantern craft.

Gracie making her jack-o-lantern.

Anna was Little Red Riding Hood for the party, and Gracie was Minnie Mouse.

Showing off the jack-o-lanterns they made at the party.

At our second Halloween party. Gracie did not want to take the group picture.

Gracie painting her jack-o-lantern candle holder.

Anna working on hers.

Enjoying snack time together.

Playtime in the bouncy house after snack time.

Anna's pumpkin candle on the left and Grace's on the right.

The Great Pumpkin Hunt

Before Halloween we went out one afternoon to go look for our pumpkin to carve. The kids had a great time looking at all the pumpkins and picking one out. They each got to pick out one of their own while Daddy picked out our big one to carve. I got some cute pictures of them while we were there.

Checking out all the pumpkins.

Noah found a big one.

Anna found one.

Gracie found one with warts.

Posing in the big pumpkin tunnel.

Our cute pumpkin pic.

Gracie found a pumpkin just right for her.

The pumpkins they picked out.

After our own little pumpkin hunt we went on another pumpkin hunt. This one was like an Easter egg hunt only with pumpkins. First we started off on a hayride which dropped us each off at our pumpkin hunt location. They were divided into different age groups so none of the kids were in the same group. Noah got to hunt pumpkins out in the woods on the nature trail with Daddy. Gracie and Anna's pumpkin hunt spots were right next to each other so that was good. I took Gracie, and Grammy took Anna. Everyone had so much fun, and they all filled their bags to the top with pumpkins.

On the hayride.

Anna getting ready to hunt her pumpkins.

Gracie getting ready to hunt her pumpkins.

Anna picking up lots of pumpkins.

Gracie picking up pumpkins.

Noah finding pumpkins out in the woods.

He filled his bag overflowing, and then filled up the hood in his jacket too.

Church Fall Festival

The week before Halloween we had our church fall festival. The kids could not wait to go and had so much fun. They played games, won candy, and bounced in the bouncy houses. The bouncy houses were the biggest hit of course. We could not keep them out of them, even Gracie who's usually so shy with so many people around. At the end of our time at the fall festival they all did a potato sack race together, a first for the girls. They loved it and didn't care who won. They all got candy at the end anyway. Then they couldn't wait to dive into their treat bags as we were leaving.

In Memory of Nanny

My grandmother, Nanny, passed away in September. She was born July 9th 1918 and died September 27th 2011. She was 93 years old. She will be so missed, but is in a much better place now and no longer in any pain, and we are so thankful we got to have her in our lives for so long. She got to watch all her grandchildren grow up and get married and got to meet all of her great grandchildren. Not many people get to live long enough to see all of that, and we are blessed that God gave us her for a grandmother and let her be apart of our lives for so long.

Nanny holding baby Noah.

A four generations pic we took one year.

Noah helping her blow out her candles on her 90th birthday.

Nanny holding baby Gracie.

Anna helping her open her presents last Christmas.

Last Christmas

This past Mother's Day