October + November photo favorites

 

^ Morning walks to school.

Playing in the leaves at our friend's house has been a tradition for the last 

several years and it is a major highlight! 

^ These were some fun accessories gifted to the girls for Halloween and they had to model them.

^ Castle built by the one and only Ellie. Her creativity never ceases to amaze us.

^ The girls can hardly ever resist trying things on at the store...even when we probably shouldn't...

^ We had our family photos done on the coldest day of fall (just our luck) and afterward we got the girls hot chocolate from Starbucks to help warm them up. 

They were so giddy with them and Ellie said, "It's like we're drinking coffee!!" 

^ My mom came for a visit that was long overdue, we hadn't seen each other in over a year. The girls talked her head off and played from sun up to sun down every day she was here. 

We loved our time together.

^ This was Ellie's first experience with carving a pumpkin and I loved her reactions to all the things - it was priceless. Overall she enjoyed the experience and wants to do it again next year. 

^ Paige was content just painting a couple pumpkins!

Happy Halloween! 

Paige has been wanting to play games and does puzzles basically every day since late October. I grew up doing those things often and I enjoy watching her and doing them with her. 

November 8th - our first snowfall of the season. 

We of course had to play in it; making a snowman and snow angels! 

(Daddy was at work and missed out on the fun.)

^ In one of the Fancy Nancy books Ellie got from her school library (Fancy Nancy: Our Thanksgiving Banquet) there was this craft idea; hand turkeys! The girls really wanted to do them for Thanksgiving and we did just that! 

6th Annual Pumpkin Patch

One of my favorite fall traditions is going to the pumpkin patch! Each year the girls' excitement increases and it's been fun to make these memories with them, Steven and our friends. 

^ Ellie's first time riding a horse! 

^ On a mission to find the perfect pumpkin.

^ Pumpkin love. 

September photo favorites

^ Girlfriends. Them posing like one another, priceless.

^ Photo by Ellie. We waited quite a long time to see this plant blossom. We had basically given up hope - we planted it at Easter - but the girls would always end up watering them when we'd be outside, and sure enough, they bloomed a ton of flowers this month! 

 

^ Girl time with some dear friends. This year has opened my eyes even more to the importance of spending time with those that help fill my bucket. Time can easily get away from me though, and when too much time has passed since quality time with friends, I can tell. 

^ First day of Pre-School! 

Paige was so brave going into her school (she's able to go in person, doing two days a week). No tears or being clingy! She had such a sweet smile as she walked in! We knew she was really excited, but sometimes her nerves can kick in and her response is different than we expected. Not today though and she is super excited each day she goes. 

^ About 2 months ago we stopped having Paige nap because bedtime was really getting affected; she was taking a really long time to fall asleep and was coming out of her room frequently despite the consequences. However, if we know we're going to be out later one night we'll let her nap a little. And I couldn't resist taking a picture of her napping. 

Ellie's first day of in-person school! 

She was all ready, backpack included, about 45 minutes before it was time to actually leave. She was excited, but her nerves were there as well. We all walked her to school and when we met her teacher in front of the school, said goodbye, she started crying. My mama heart felt for her and I had to choke back tears as we encouraged her. Even though she didn't want us to leave, she turned and walked towards something new. When we picked her up she said she had a great time! 

^ Both girls are going to school in person on the same days, so Steven and I have had DAY DATES! 

^ Ellie and I were playing Pictionary together and she drew school on the iPad (insert laughing face). 

Oh, the things we never imagined happening.  

^ Ellie creation (and photo by Ellie). A person standing next to a pumpkin.