Saturday, October 31, 2009

More Halloween Photos

Instead of going Trick or Treating this year, we sat on our front porch and handed out candy to ALL the kiddos that came by. This year we had so many kids, I ran out of candy twice! Luckily our neighbors bailed us out and gave the rest of their candy to us to give out... but we still ran out and had to turn off the porch light! Sorry kids!

Anyway, it was so cute... Bella had a blast handing out all the candy to all the trick or treaters. She got scared at a few kids who had their faces covered with a mask or face painted, but other then that, she was just too cute handing out all the candy. If she had realized what she was giving away, I don't think she would have been so generous...

Friday, October 30, 2009

Pumpkin Patch Time

This morning Julie and I took the girls to Chillicothe (about 40 minutes away) to a little pumpkin patch. We went with one thing on our minds: A Halloween Photo Shoot!

I must say that it wasn't as easy this year. Last year all we had to worry about was the girls falling over and drooling on their costumes. This year (click HERE to see last years photo shoot) they wouldn't cooperate to save our lives. Bella & Maddie wouldn't sit still, they wouldn't sit where we wanted them to, or smile when we wanted them to smile, let alone even look at the camera! But we shot away anyways! Here is what we captured:

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Friday, October 23, 2009

OUR SWEET BELLA FAIRY

Last Friday the 54th had a Squadron Halloween Party. Of course since Bella isn't old enough to understand the concept of trick or treating... the party was more to dress her up in the most adorable halloween outfit EVER.
Here is our little Bella Fairy!
What a cutie!

Maddie & Bella having a lollypop-oreo cookie stare down!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Trip to the Pacific North West!

Last week we traveled up to Seattle for a quick trip for many reasons:
  • see family
  • see friends
  • show Ben the Pacific Northwest
  • AND MY 10 YEAR HIGH SCHOOL REUNION
It was jam packed full of visiting, sightseeing, eating great seafood and not a lot of sleep.
We started off in Seattle where we were supposed to meet Ben's parents for the day and night... however their plane was cancelled from Billings. So instead of flying and getting in at 2pm, they drove all night to see us (Bella) and arrived at 6am for a quick 3 hour visit with us, before we headed up to Victoria. Even though our visit was short, it was nice to see Steve & Ann and watch them with our sweet little girl.

We took the Baimbridge Island ferry from Seattle and drove to Port Angeles, where we had the BEST fish and chip I have ever had (this place could take on England and day... and win by a long shot), Missy Bella even loved the fish! We arrived in Victoria on Friday afternoon to Grandma Susie and Grandpa Don waiting to greet us. That night we had the best seafood at my favorite restaurant in Victoria... The Warfside! It was a fabulous evening with my parents.

Saturday morning we headed up to Shawnigan Lake School (the Boarding School I attended for grades 11 and 12) for my 10 year HS reunion. As we were driving up I can still remember the feeling I had as we approached the school the very first time back in 1997 when I was 16 years old. Going to Shwanigan was a great experience and going back 10 years after graduation went just as well. Ben even hit it off and had good conversations with a few of my old boyfriends.
We had lots of old grads come back for the reunion. And it was so nice to see everyone, not to mention a ton of fun! It was so wonderful to reconnect with people and see where people are at these days. Bella was of course a Huge hit and everyone thought she was just the cutest...

We started the day off with a chapel service, building dedication, school tours and a rugby game. The weather wasn't the best, so the pictures aren't the greatest... The school is so beautiful when it is nice out.
The place has really changed in the last 10 years. Almost all the original buildings have been torn down and replaced with state of the art buildings. It looks like a place you would find in a Harry Potter book! Go here to check out the school website if you would like.

My parents took Bella back to Victoria with them for the evening so she could have a nap and get to bed at a decent time. I think it was the highlight of their trip. And of course very nice for Ben and I to enjoy the rest of the reunion... just the two of us. Thanks Mom and Dad for making that possible for us. It was much appreciated.

That night we had a fabulous dinner in the fabulous dining hall and then headed to my good friend Kate Hamilton) Snihur's house for the after party. What a great place to bring back old stories and party into the night. When Ben and I left @ 1:15am I didn't realize I was leaving EARLY, as the party went on until 5am! I guess some things never change... the class of '99 still knows how to party!
Pics at Shawnigan:

On Sunday we drove the scenic route around Victoria (love and miss that drive) to have brunch with good friends the Abbott's! It was so nice to see them and be able to catch up and visit! After brunch, I had a quick visit with my good friend Meghan and then it was off to catch the ferry to Vancouver.
That night we met up with my friends from Trinity for dinner at Earls (another favorite restaurant) for some good time of reminiscing and chatting. It was so good to see you Shelby, Rache and Sarah!

On Sunday we took a quick trip to the Vancouver Aquarium and Stanley Park as a family. And then headed to a friend from Elementary School, Veronica and her family for lunch. Veronica's little guy Talan and Bella are a month apart and she is also pregnant with #2 due a month after us! Crazy!

Our last stop before heading back to Seattle was Ft. Langley and Trinity Western University (where I graduated from). Our last visit was with Andy, my friend and mentor while I was at Trinity. It was so nice to see Andy and spend a little time with her.

And then we were on our way back to Seattle Monday night to fly out the next morning. Whirlwind trip. By the end of it, Ben was done with meeting people. He did very well considering all the people he had to meet and have small talk with. Overall it was a great trip! Can't wait to go back to that part of the country. I really do love it up there!



Saturday, October 10, 2009

2nd Annual Pumpkin Carving Night at the Schindler's

On Friday night we went over to the Schindler's to carve pumpkins for the 2nd year in a row. Click HERE to see last years Pumpkin Carving night. . Last year we had two sweet BALD babies... and this year, we have two very active sweet little girls and two more warming in the oven... Jason and Laura are also expecting. What a difference a year makes

We eat hot dog roasted over the fire, s'mores and of course Julie's yummy queso dip. After the sun went down it was definitely a little cool! But we had a great time... Jason was the only guy that actually participated in the pumpkin carving. Julie carved Trick or Treat, Jason & Laura carved a cat, and I redeemed myself this year with the spider I carved into my pumpkin (last year I attempted a bat... and it didn't turn out too well).
Bella and Maddie had a wonderful time playing together... running around in the backyard before the sun went down.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Fall Has Come!

Fall has come to Altus early this year!
We have had unusually cool and rainy weather these last few weeks.
On one hand, it has been nice to NOT boil every time you step outside, but on the other... It's getting cold already!
Not that I am really complaining, because all of Bella's summer 6-12 months clothes were getting too small... and that means I can bust out all of her cutesy fall outfits!
Today Ben had a Fire Musing Competition, so after Bella's nap, we went down to see him compete. Bellie looked absolutely adorable all bundled up in her new Button's outfit from Gymboree!
Here are some photos (and my attempt at iPhoto):

Friday, October 2, 2009

Discovering the Hose


The other day Belles got a hold of the hose when Ben was attempting to water.
I didn't think she would like getting wet, but she loved it!
All done Mommy... And completely soaked!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

MIA!

Sorry It's been so long since I last posted.
I am of course playing catch-up from the last 2 months.
So take a look at the 2 new posts below and stay tuned for more posts.