Happy Halloween!

This year for Halloween Claire was Tinkerbell and Quinn was a kangaroo. Claire was beyond excited to be Tinkerbell and has talked about it for a week. I was afraid Quinn was not going to be too keen on being a kangaroo only because she wants to do what Claire does. I was expecting her to say she wanted to be a princess or Tinkerbell too. Once she realized her costume came with a baby kangaroo she was sold. No worries! I did buy her a wand too because I knew there was no way that Claire would be able to carry a glowing wand around and her not be able to. I had the girls put their costumes on yesterday to take pictures. I knew that once we got trick or treating that it would be dusk or dark and my camera is horrible at taking pictures in low light. It turned out to be a good thing that I did because this afternoon Quinn caught some sort of stomach bug and was throwing up. I was so sad because I knew she was going to be upset that she didn't get to get dressed up. I contemplated everyone just staying home but Claire had been talking about it all day and was super excited. Claire and I left Quinn and Jared at home and went to a friends house to trick or treat. I purposely did not have Claire's costume on so Quinn wouldn't be fully aware of where we were going. Jared said she cried a little but then crawled in his lap and laid on him for over an hour. She must not feel good because she usually does not sit still very long. Claire and I had a good time with our friends and Jared and I... I mean Claire really raked in the candy! When she got home she dumped her bucket as soon as we got in the house. She didn't even wait to get on the carpet. She was allowed to eat one piece of candy...she picked a box of nerds that took her 20 minutes to eat. She is one smart girl because she picked something that would delay bedtime. I hope Quinn wakes up better tomorrow. She has some yummy treats waiting for her when she feels better. Claire doesn't know that part yet. Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Painting

The girls had such a fun playdate with their friends this week. We painted our first, and not last, pumpkins of the season. Claire had her friends Alex and Kaitlyn while Quinn had her friends Jaycen and Mathew. The painting of the pumpkins lasted all of about 6 minutes. The kids didn't care they were off to play in a hurry. Desiree was so good she even had brownies for them to ice and decorate with Halloween colored sprinkles. A couple of plates had all of the icing gone but the brownies remained...Claire and Quinn!!! I am so grateful that my girls have good friends with good parents that raise them. We are looking forward to the next time we all get to play together.

Claire the artist.

Claire amazes me everyday with the different things she can draw. It seemed like she was just scribbling. Right now she is really into drawing circles and then coloring them in. On this day Jared was telling her what to draw and this is what she drew.

Jared helped her draw the roof of the house and the stars, that is it. (I of course wrote her name...she's not that talented.) She says that it is a picture of her family and our house and a rainbow. I am so proud!

Wow! Now that is pink!!

I finished painting Claire's dresser. She wanted hers painted once she saw Quinn's. She opted for pink. I had painted it a pale pink but didn't like it so we went with Raspberry Fizz. It is HOT pink and Claire loves it!!!

7 year itch? Nope!!!

Yesterday Jared and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. Everyday I am thankful to have Jared in my life and that I get to live life right beside him. He makes me smile and laugh just about everyday. He loves me even though he had no idea 7 years later that on some days he would come home from work and I would still be in my pj's with my hair in a ponytail with no makeup. He has loved me through hard times and he has loved me through good times. He loves our girls and for that I am so grateful to the Lord. I am in awe of him every time I watch him interact with them. He also loves the Lord and he wants to follow him and wants to do whatever God asks of him. It is comforting to know that he is seeking him in decisions that he makes for himself and for our family. I couldn't think of anyone else I would rather spend the rest of my life with. Looking forward to many more years!



I was trying to find a picture from 2004 but this is the earliest we have saved on the computer. This picture was taken in 2007.



Daddy-Daughter Breakfast

When I was a kid I vividly remember going to the Kettle restaurant with my dad on a Saturday morning for breakfast. I had chocolate chip pancakes in the shape of Mickey Mouse. I had told Jared that story a long time ago, before kids, and he said he would love to do that with our kids. The time came Saturday morning. Him and Claire went to IHOP for their first breakfast together. Claire got chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, and bacon. It also came with a side of chocolate chips and whip cream. She ate the chocolate first, that's my girl! They had such a good time and Claire wanted daddy to do everything for her the rest of the day. I think they may have bonded a little. :) My favorite part of the whole day was when Jared told me that when they were backing out of the driveway to go to breakfast she told him "I am so excited!". When they got home she asked "When we go again next time?". I hope she thinks that about going out with him forever.

Quinn wanted in on the picture too. She was upset at first that she didn't get to go but then she realized she had mommy all to herself and was just fine.

Beautiful Blue Eyes

Quinn- 19 months