Happy Halloween!

The kids went as a pair of dice for Halloween this year.  At first they were very skeptical of putting a box over their heads, but after we told them that if they put it on and said "Trick-or-Treat" they would get candy, we had a hard time getting them off! 

We went to the Outlet Mall where the kids could trick-or-treat through all of the stores and they had a costume contest.  There was a 3-way tie for first place and the kids were one of the first place winners!  They had fun collecting candy and were very excited to see their Aunt Jen there too.  Then, we went to visit Great-Great-Grandma Barbara.

Grandma B was so excited to get to see the kids dressed up and we had a nice visit with her.  Then it was time for more candy colleting!

So, the kids collected enough candy to very easily last them the rest of the year and we had a fun time showing them off :) Now, to just get them to sleep tonight.....

**Thank you Grandma Sheryl for all of your help!**

Carving Pumpkins

Tonight we carved the kids'pumpkins.  The kids helped to clean out their pumpkins, then drew faces on them for Daddy to cut out.

Braison was fine until the face got carved into his pumpkin! After that he wasn't too sure, he didn't want to get too close! Lilian, on the other hand, kissed the pumpkins goodnight before we headed inside!

Family Photos

We got our family photos back, here are a few...

This is the tutu that I made for Lilian














We had a lot of fun doing these photos, thanks Jennifer!

Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday we went to the pumpkin patch to get pumpkins to carve for Halloween.  We went with Ron's sister, Jen, and our friends, the Blankenship family.  We all had fun, the kids enjoyed themselves.

Braison and daddy by the scarecrow, Braison wouldn't sit by himself, or even with the other kids.

Lilian and Cooper only sitting by the scarecrow long enough to get their photo taken!

They take you on a hay ride out to the pumpkin patch.  The kids loved the fact that we were being towed around by a tractor.

Braison and Lilian enjoying the ride.

 

Braison and his Aunt Jen

Then we all got to pick out our own pumpkins to bring back.  Five adults, three two-year olds, one baby, and eight pumpkins was no easy feat to get out of the patch, but we made it!

It was a great experience and we look forward to doing it again next year.

(Never could get a photo with all three of the kids, oh well)

Swimming Lessons

Monday night Braison and Lilian started swimming lessons.
My dad and step-mom had asked if they could put the kids into swimming lessons a while back, but we couldn't really find a place to go that we like. We tried the YMCA, but it was so incredibly packed that we weren't comfortable with it. Also, their classes are large and the kids would go every night for two weeks. That would be too much for us! A lady I work with was telling me about her son being in swimming lessons at the Nampa Rec Center; the class was small and they went a couple times a week. So, I looked into it, and it is wonderful! The kids go twice a week, on Monday and Wednesday nights for a half hour for six weeks. And, they only have 6 other kids in their class, so lots of one-on-one time with the instructor. My dad and step-mom have taken them this week and will probably continue to take them, it is something fun for the four of them to do together (also coupled with the fact that Ron does not really care for the water!).
Lilian instantly loved the pool. Braison was a little more aprehensive, but warmed up fairly quick. By the end of the first lesson they were both very excited and loved practicing "up & downs." They are so fun to watch learning new things!