Halloween

This is the first year the kids didn't go with a theme to their costumes.  Megan knew that she wanted to be a cat from the beginning.  There was little doubt that Jake was going to be a Super Hero, but the specific character changed about 10 times.  He ended up with Captain America once he saw the shield.  Jenna had a hard time deciding, yet it was the toto basket and animal that sold her.  Since she already had the red sequins shoes, it was a hit.  They were so cute!!!

We started off with Halloween parties at school on Friday.  Saturday we had Trek-or-Treat through the woods, a party at the Sheltons and finally neighborhood Trick-or-treating that night.  The kids slept good that night.

Nana and Megan at her school party

Megan, Jake, Jenna and Josie on the Trail

Darth and Dorthy

Lunch Break at the Sheltons

Shelton Party gang

Alice in Wonderland characters

Megan and her BFF Josie

Ready to hit the road

Trick-or-treating

Pumpkin Carving

Each year, we have big ambitions of carving pumpkins with the kids.  Yet each year, the kids complain about the gooey mess and Leigh and I end up carving the pumpkins on our own.  This year was no exception.   Megan didn't like to touch the gooey middle, Jake didn't like the smell and Jenna loved it all so much that she made a big mess...maybe next year.

The face says it all...

Leigh had to make Jake put his hand in the pumpkin...doesn't look good for deer hunting

He was bothered by the smell

This is as close as Megan would get to putting her hand in the pumpkin

Jenna had it all over

Megan showing off the final products

2 ghosts

The Bat Cat

Preschool Fieldtrip

After a rain delay, the Preschool fieldtrip was rescheduled to Mathys Pumpkin Patch.  We will definitely be going back.  There was a great fenced in play area, lots of animals to pet, and a covered wagon ride to the pumpkin patch.  There were two buses filled with 4 preschool classes, which equalled ALOT of kids.  Each child had to have an adult, so Nana got to go on the trip too.

When did they get so big???

LOVE Jenna's face..she's such a clown

Jenna and Lilly Brackett..she is so motherly

My beautiful little girl

Jake's pumpkin

Jake and his buddy Jacob Kuntz

Nana and Jenna

Mrs Seddon's class..check out Jenna

What a great group of kids

Jake, Jenna and her friend Emma

Sisterly Love

Red Ribbon week picture once we got back

Fall Fun

Fall is my FAVORITE time of the year.  I love the weather, the beautiful colors, and playing in the leaves. 

Pumpkin Patch

This year, the Pumpkin Patch we've been visiting since the kids were born was closed...we were completely bummed.  However, Mini and Grumpy took the kids to another patch when they were here, and we went back as a family the next weekend with Matt, Jenny, Adam, Abbie, Nana and Bumpa.  The kids loved petting the animals (well, Jake did....) and it was our first time in a corn maze.  Megan and Nana made it out in no time, I think that Jake, Adam and Matt were next.  Leigh, Jenny, Abbie, Jenna and I brought up the rear.....

Sisters

Jake was crashed

They have the best bond...

"Miss Thang" and her daddy

Leading the Pack

Bunny Ears

It was a gigantic Goat 

Megan's Birthday Sleepovers

So, this year for her Birthday party, Megan wanted to have a Slumber Party with her friends.  Lucky for her, she got not just one, but two.  On her actual birthday weekend, we had the family birthday party at our house on Saturday afternoon.  The Franklins, Tobolskis, Vitales, Flenars and Backus family all came to the celebration. 

 Awesome Cake

7 Candles...

John B, Meghan (John's girlfriend), Dan, Katie and Sydney

Megan and Jake

After the family party, Grace and Max Vitale got to stay for a Sleepover.

The following weekend, Megan invited 4 school friends over for another Slumber Party.  And this wasn't just any ole' Slumber party....we made homemade pizzas, tie-dyed shirts and socks, sang karaoke, put on a fashion show with Halloween clothes, got manicures and of course ate cake, opened presents and FINALLY watched a movie.  I think that it was around midnight before they all fell asleep.  Those four girls are such a great group of friends.  They've been close since Kindergarten and I only hope that their friendship continues to grow throughout the school years.

Best Buddies making pizzas.  Josie West, Alyvia Hickok, Lexi Hermann and Megan

Tie-Dye time

Presents

Fashion show..goodness, she looks 13 in this picture

Alyvia and Lexi

Josie

Cupcake time

I think that they were tired of all my picture taking

Manicures

Movie Time

Last 2 awake....

Modeling their new clothes

Jake and Jenna got to join in on the fun