Halloween!!

What a fun Halloween this year! It was great that the kids got to see lots of friends and actually enjoy trick or treating and playing carnival games.

Andy was Thomas the Train.  He absolutely did not like the costume we found at the store. He said, "It doesn't have wheels!!" So I made him one.

Julie wanted to be Cinderella all along. And when we got to Zoo Boo, she was excited that her friend Anna was Cinderella too!

And there was a bird that the kids are greatly attached too, also known as Everett.

Pretty Princess!  We met the Cinseros Family there, Memere, Uncle Justin, Aunt Audrey and Lauren along with 2 Arnold Families!!  It was quite the party!!

Birds play games too!

Uncle, Auntie and Lauren.  It was Audrey's birthday, so it was nice to see her, and spend time with them.

Everett's costume was awesome.

Uncle John and pretty kitty Lauren.

Tonight we went to the Santa Margarita Carnival. We had trick-or-treated, seen Grandma Hazel, Uncle Ted and Aunt Sharon all before we got there. Grammy and Pop-pop showed up right as we were heading to the Carnival, so of course the kids begged them to come along. How could they ever say no??

We met Brian, Christina and Everett there. And LOOK!! A picture with Moms in it!! Whoohoo!

The games there were fun, and involved donuts.

And cupcakes!!

Andy was so patient and walked around the cupcake walk for a while til he finally won.

Julie showing off her arm.

It was a little tough for Andy to play a few of the games, with his giant train tummy.

But he could fish!

Julie was so dainty eating her cotton candy. Barely got any on her.

Andy on the other hand, not so much.

We had a great night, a great week. Every event and activity was fun, the kids were well behaved and we able to participate. What a difference a year makes.

The Last Few Weeks

I have been so bad about blogging!! I have cut down to half time at work, which was much needed and very welcome. It has been 2 weeks now, the first week John was off and Bess and Matt and Veda were in town. I had a doctor appointment, both kids went to the dentist (where they told us Julie's bottom front teeth are a little loose!!) and Andy had his 3 year well check (he is super healthy, has advanced vocabulary and is in the 87 percentile for height and 93 percentile for weight). That was a busy week. Then last week was catch up. So I am sure I will get some rest in before this babe comes. Or not.

Either way, we are getting there! So here is a major picture upload from the last two weeks.

Our little cowpoke riding Lady. Julie was even controlling the reigns and was so proud!

The Colony Days Parade is always a blast and this year was no exception. Just look at these happy faces!

Wild bunch!!

And of course, hanging out with our buddies. You could only sit with them if you had a cool hat.

Julie acted like the first lady in the train. Waving at everyone.

I am so bummed that this is the only picture I got of Veda while she was here! Not a single cousin picture! But we are all so in love with her. I got to spend a bunch of time snuggling her and the kids would run up, kiss her, rub her back and run off. She is such a happy sweet, content babe. She reminds me of Julie. Already showing a little independence.

We took the kids to a new pumpkin patch and had fun playing the new camera lens Memere got us. (Thanks Mom!!)

Yeah, they are hams.

Kiss the baby!

My view of Andy these days.

That is the sweetest face! But don't let him fool you!

Not a huge fan of this picture, but there is the baby bump, in all her glory. This was taken at about 34 weeks.

Yeah, we have fun. Every day, something fun is happening. Today we stayed home ALL DAY and enjoyed each other. Julie wasn't feeling 100% so we took advantage. Julie, before she went to sleep, asked if we could have another day just like today. I think we needed it after all the fun.

Celebrating the New Babe

Sunday we got together to celebrate our new addition.  It was a wonderful event put together by some of the most special people in out lives.  It was a party for the whole family.  The kids were so excited and could not wait to celebrate the baby.

We are so thank to Audrey, Christina, my mom, Anne and Arlene for putting this together. The room was so pretty with paper chains, diaper cakes and flowers. The food was amazing!! We have been eating left overs ever since. Everything was absolutely perfect!

Now on to the pictures....

My work buddies were there. It is not a party without them.

Grandma Hazel was front and center. Just where she should be.

Julie took this great picture of her uncle and cousin.

Julie and Andy had so many great friends there. They are so lucky to have such good kids around them.

Memere and Lauren!!

Me and the soon to be big cousin!! She is such a silly girl with her Auntie!!

Julie (along with Anabelle, Andy, Lina and Audrey)helped open some of the gifts for the baby.  She is SET with diapers and wipes!  I am always amazed by the generosity of our family and friends. Not just as far as gifts go, but support and love shown at every step and event in our lives.

Julie and Anabelle set up one of the new gifts Julie and Andy got.

There was a beautiful cake and cupcakes. There were cute owls all over!

Some of the party guests.  So glad my cousin Summer and Aunt Joanne made the trip for us!

More of our awesome friends! We love the Arnolds!!

Friends that I have known all my life and can't imagine my life without!

Love our family!! And there is a good belly bump shot of me in the background.

The room as a whole. The paper chains all over the room was so fun! I can't wait to put it up all over the kids room.

Andy and his BFF. Andy was the same age as Everett at Christina and Brian's shower for Everett. They are great buddies and it is fun watching them enjoy each other.

So many gifts. It was overwhelming!

Love this cute octopus. I know Sadie will too!