Happy Halloween...

The girls truly enjoyed their Halloween this year. Of course, it could have been a little warmer, but it didn't rain--so we can't complain. And, daddy was home, not working in D.C.--so another bonus! After sleeping in and enjoying a nice relaxing Saturday morning, we took the girls to The Greene for a few Halloween festivities. There was an obstacle course, face painting, and a hayride. Throw in a little shopping, and you've got a recipe for three happy girls.

Getting ready to go to The Greene...

Two Jasmines and a genie...

Carsyn...

Logan...

Daddy had to give Maren a little kick start...

When we returned home the girls had a quick dinner (and costume change,) and then it was time for trick-or-treating. The girls had a blast. Carsyn was really into it. She could not resist running ahead at each house--she had to be the first one to the door each time. It was getting pretty chilly, so we only stayed out for about an hour. But, they still collected a ton of candy. Afterward we went over to our neighbor's house for a little Halloween party. The kids had a great time playing, while the adults got to chat and watch the Notre Dame game! What a great night. Hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween!

Our little bugs...

Logan, Maren, & Carsyn...

Ladybug, Butterfly, & Bumble Bee...

Logan...

Wondering what kind of candy she'll get...

Carsyn...

Sweet as honey...

Maren...

Beautiful Butterfly...

Mommy and Daddy's awesome Irish pumpkin...

Maren, Megan, Carsyn, Shannon, and Logan at the Halloween party...

Carving Pumpkins...

After school today the girls (with mommy and daddy's help, of course) carved their jack-o-lanterns. They had a lot of fun drawing their faces on the pumpkins, while mommy cleaned out the pumpkins and daddy cut out the pieces. The girls were happy with the results. They also branched out and tried the toasted pumpkins seeds that we made afterward.

Getting ready...

Logan thinking about what to design...

Carsyn couldn't wait to see her finished product...

Maren's was looking pretty spooky...

2nd Grade Halloween Party...

After a busy morning--decorating for and hosting the Kindergarten Autumn Fest and attending a parent-teacher conference at Maren's school--it was time to go back to school for Logan's Halloween party. Her class had a really great time at their party too. The had lots of yummy treats, made Halloween magnets, played candy corn Bingo, and raced to wrap their teacher like a mummy.

Logan and Lakyn enjoying some Halloween goodies...

The other mummies...

Pumpkin Play and Autumn Fest...

Carsyn's Kindergarten class had their "Pumpkin Play" and Autumn festival party today. Carsyn had been really getting into her role, walking around the house in character. She played a mummy--and quite well too. It was really cute. Afterward the class had a blast at their party. They enjoyed making and eating "monster mash," stringing Halloween necklaces, working on crafts, playing "will it float?" with fall fruits and veggies, and of course picking pumpkins. Maren also was able to join in the festivities, and be a little kindergartner today! We all had so much fun.

The mummies...

Carsyn picked her pumpkin...

Maren too...

Carsyn getting crafty...

Birthday Bears...

When we saw that the Bears were playing in Cincinnati on mommy's birthday, we thought...perfect timing! We had to go to the game. Unfortunately daddy had to work in Washington, and couldn't make it. So, Logan stepped up and went with mom. Actually, she was pretty much forced to go, but she ended up having a great time. Too bad the Bears never showed up to play. What a terrible game! We also did not appreciate all the obnoxiously rude Bengals fans. However, we enjoyed some camaraderie and commiserating with a fellow Bears fan, and high school friend of mommy's. How fun to see you, Clinton! Happy 30th, mommy! And, thanks for the tickets, daddy!

The girls before church this morning...

Mommy's girls...

Logan and mommy ready to go...

Logan at Paul Brown Stadium...

Having fun (before the game started)...

Logan and mommy with Clinton...

Last Cheer Game of the Season...

Today was the first round of playoffs for our team. But, the boys lost, so it turned out to be our last game of the season. It was horribly cold and windy out. In fact, Nana and Maren spent most of the game in the car because Maren couldn't stand it. But, that didn't stop the girls from cheering loud and nailing their half time routine! Logan and Carsyn have had such a blast this season. What a great squad!

Trying to stay warm...

Poor Carsyn was sooo cold...

Out to eat afterward...

At least Maren had fun at the restaurant...

Feeling Like Fall...

Carsyn and I had lunch and recess duty again today. Actually, Maren too because Nana was subbing for Kindergarten. Logan and Carsyn's friends' mom also had duty, so the girls just had a blast. It's been getting really chilly already, but at least the girls are getting some wear out of all their cute fall jackets!

The Lunch Bunch...

Third Time's a Charm...

Maren has had two previous dentist appointments, at ages two and two and a half. At both these visits she basically freaked out and wouldn't even let the hygienist or dentist look in her mouth. So today we were a little concerned as to how she'd do. But, whether it was because she's now three, or the fact that this was her third attempt, she was a perfect patient. She sat by herself in the chair and let them clean her teeth. She was so proud of herself. Carsyn, on the other hand, thought--big deal! She just wanted a new light-up toothbrush and sticker.

No cavities...

Walk This Way...

Today the girls participated in their school's annual walk-a-thon. While this is a fundraiser, it is also a way to promote a healthy lifestyle. Of course Logan and Carsyn have had tons of practice walking. Logan and her friend were walking fools. They didn't need any pushing; they just kept walking. Carsyn and Mommy's group of Kindergartners, on the other hand, required lots of encouragement. And, perhaps a little coaching. But, Carsyn was a trooper and did great--keeping up with Mom the whole time!

Taking a water break...

Resting after the walk-a-thon...

Birthday Bowling...

Logan and Carsyn had been looking forward to their BFF's birthday party all week. They had a blast dressing up, bowling with friends, and eating pizza and cake. It's a good thing Logan and Carsyn did not get mommy's competitiveness (at least not yet) because even with the bumpers up they bowled a 65 and 37 respectively. I guess bowling is not their sport. But, they had tons of fun anyway.

Carsyn and Logan dressed for the costume/bowling birthday party

(yes, these are recycled costumes)...

"Daphne" and Carsyn...

"Velma" and Logan...

Girl Scouts Hayride (from H---)...

Logan and Carsyn are both doing Girl Scouts this year. Logan's troop had planned a hayride field trip for today after school. However, I decided to take Carsyn along since her friend Lucey would be going with her mom and sister. We were thinking that the girls would have such a blast. And, they would have--if it weren't pouring down rain and cold. It is impossible to stay dry while sitting down in wet hay and the rain keeps coming down. Our rain jackets only helped to keep our backs, chests, and part of our heads dry. Everything else was completely soaked, and there is nothing worse than wet jeans. We even had soggy feet inside our rain boots. It was miserable. This definitely was no "Troop Beverly Hills" like when Nana was my girls scout leader ; ) And, my girls definitely do not know how to "rough it!"

Before the hayride--they didn't know what they were in for...

Logan, Lakyn, Lucey, & Carsyn after--at least they got cookies...

Picking Pumpkins...

After mass this morning we drove out to Young's Dairy pumpkin patch. It was a little chilly--perfect for pumpkin picking. The girls loved the wagon ride and scouring the entire patch for just the right pumpkins. Apparently the criteria for the "right" pumpkin was that they had to be huge and extremely heavy. Good thing Daddy was with us to help carry them. Afterward we enjoyed Young's delicious homemade ice cream--yum!

Sunday morning pic...

Maren getting ready to find her pumpkin...

Logan in the pumpkin patch...

Let's look over here...

Maybe this one...

How about these?

Carsyn found hers...

That's a heavy one...

Maren has her pumpkin...

How many girls does it take to pull a wagon...

Cheer, Cheer for Old Notre Dame...

Since Notre Dame was playing on the day of our wedding (almost eight years ago,) it's fitting that we've made it an anniversary tradition to go to a game. It also helps that we're huge Irish fans! Our first game was back in 2005 at Ross-Ade: a win. We missed 2006 because Maren was still very little. But, we resumed the tradition in 2007 to see Notre Dame's first win of the season against the Bruins at the Rose Bowl: a win. Then, albeit later than our actual anniversary, we saw them play Navy up in Baltimore last year: another win. This year marked a first for us--we got to see them play at Notre Dame Stadium. Fortunately our next-door neighbor is an Irish alumnus.




The only down-side was that Mommy and Daddy missed Logan and Carsyn's cheer game...and it was parent appreciation day ; (. But, luckily Nana volunteered to take them and stand in for us. We had a great time up in South Bend. We had forgotten how beautiful Notre Dame's campus is. The game was another nail-biter. It also rained from the middle of the 2nd quarter on. But, it was all worth it. What an exciting overtime win! Gooo Irish!

Our family before the games...

The girls w/ Nana at their game...

Happy Anniversary, Daddy and Mommy!

From our seats...

Irish win...

Homecoming Parade...

The girls got to take part in their very first high school homecoming parade this evening. High school football is a pretty big deal around here, and apparently so are the homecoming parades. All the the little cheerleaders looked so cute walking the parade route. Maren had a really fun time collecting all the candy that was thrown to her. Afterward we went out for pizza with the cheer squad. What a fun night!

Maren waiting for the parade to come...

Parade girls...

Waiting for pizza...

Logan and Maddie...