Halloween 2013

Bo in his natural environment 

Who taught her to pose like this?!

Bribes to keep the lion hood on

Mama shes heavy! 

Just a hilarious photo ha

Seriously the cutest lion ever

Trying to take his mane off ha

Billy the owl! 

Oz!

Despite the rain the kids had fun. Boden loved it and was awesome at grabbing candy and saying " Thank you, welcome" 

This was the first year B really " got it" and said trick or treat etc. We did 3 houses with everyone then brought the babies home and B and Daddy went back out for a few more houses. She was very good and had a blast. She was super excited we dressed up too. She did try to convince us to paint Gage for the Tin Man. Nope, not happening. :) 

Happy Halloween!

A Few Things

A few random thoughts...

 I have total sympathy for parents whos kids birthday are right around Christmas. Having Bristol's the same week as Halloween is bad enough.

On her way to school for their party 

This week has been a relatively easy one for Matt at work so he has been home by 12:30 everyday. AWESOME. 

Christmas Cards. DONE. Yeah, be jealous. 

We carved pumpkins in the nick of time on Tuesday. Bristol requested a cat. Surprise, surprise.

Yesterday morning the kids slept till 7:30. HUGE! I got up, showered, got all ready, drank my coffee hot and ate breakfast before they were up. It was great. The only downside is I was up at 5:45. Not bad except Matt and I stayed up till 11:30 to watch the Sox and were up again this am at 5:15. Today will require a lot of coffee. :)

On a morning walk in our neighborhood. Its so beautiful. 

Something I have noticed in watching Toy Story ( from 1995) is that the outfits that Andys Mom wears are currently back in style. Hmmm. 

Happy Halloween and Im sure Ill harass you all with pictures soon of the kids dressed up. :) 

Little B Turns 4!

This Medium girl is now 4. 

I think she had a great birthday celebration.

 A few weeks ago she got to go to the circus with just Mama and Daddy. 

For her actual birthday we had cupcakes for breakfast, celebrated with school friends, then went to the "Jump Place" and out to dinner for pizza. 

Topped off with more cupcakes and presents at home! 

When she woke up she came downstairs and said " Woah wait where are my decorations?!" 

Fan fair is a must with this one. 

While she was at school Bo helped me Princess- ize our dinning room. 

Much better. :) 

Opening gifts 

Daddy made her cupcakes - pink as requested. 

Bo thought her princess castle was great. 

Bo ( 19 months), Brooklyn Maye ( 6 months), and Bristol (4) 

" BRI-TOL"

A lot for fun now that Bo can play!

B zombie ha

" Happy Birthday" 

Big lady! 

Little Lady 

Do I have something on my face? 

Whatever- more cupcake. :) 

We love you Bristol and couldn't imagine our family without you. Xo

Tomorrow Will Be Better.

Mothering is something you cant fake.

 You can't pretend your way through it. 

How you feel and what is going on in your heart -your kids can sense. 

They know you the best. From the inside out- literally.

This last mont I have felt so heartbroken, so empty. 

My kids have known it. Their sleeping has been all messed up, Bristol has been acting out, and our family life has been just plain miserable. Things that are important to me have fallen by the wayside. 

Compound my feelings with life stresses and I haven't been too fun to hang with or felt like doing fun things. 

About a week ago I said a prayer in utter sadness and really not knowing what else to do to break this funk to " please just heal my heart a little." 

Not totally- because I don't think that will ever happen but enough to give me hope that things will get better.

This week hasn't been perfect or great but I see hope. 

So each day I have to believe tomorrow will be better. 

For my family. 

I found this quote a while ago and loved it. 

"As I'm coming to appreciate from moments like this in life, there is great comfort in the small things. The way we gather together to love one another in our sadness - the very definition of family. Putting one foot in front of another in the rhythm of our days - the simple joys. And by these actions, we lead the way for our little ones to keep on keeping on. Moving forward, perhaps changed, perhaps stronger, perhaps with more love to give"- Amanda Soule.

LOIT Dinner

For Matt completing his class the company put on a dinner to recognize the guys and their families. 

It was nice and they gave him something more official looking to have. 

As an added bonus they gave the wives a gift certificate to a local spa. 

Due to the Government shut down the NRC couldnt actually be there but sent a letter of recognition. It was a nice way to put the last 4 years behind us and move forward. :) 

Kindergarden?

Oh this girl. 

Bring born October 28th puts her on either the very young end of starting school or the old end. 

Over the last month or so Matt and I have been going back and forth on what would be best for Bristol. Testing her in or waiting another year. Academically I know shes ready and would be fine. Socially Im not sure. Being the oldest she tends to thrive more when she can be " the leader." When put into situations where she knows shes younger she tends to become shy and reserved. Where this is something that will affect her whole academic career and I feel social is so important in connection to academics we want to make the best choice. 

After talking to many teachers, friends, and sometimes strangers ha I think we have come to the decision to hold her back another year. I dont think another year home will be bad in terms of behavior and helping to continue to instill the values we want her to have. Its a tough call but I think we can add for academics and she will be fine. 

Oh being a parent is tough sometimes ha. :) 

Fort Foster - October 2013

One of our favorite places to go is Fort Foster in Kittery, ME. 

The first time we went I was 9 months pregnant with Bristol and trying to "walk" her out. :) 

We try a go a few times a year. 

Today seemed like a great day to get out as a family and enjoy the park. 

Walking Her Dog 

 Love this park 

Life has changed since the Malibu :) 

Picnic! 

Maybe my last flowers of summer?

Love my little bear :) 

Chocolate Milk stash

Yum. 

Photo bomb

Hunting for treasures

Love this little hand

"Mom take my pictures in front of Repunzles tower!" 

Bristols pictures :) Lots of babies

" 1760" - yeah thats old. :) Love this house. 

Goodbye Ft Foster till next time! :)