Happy Halloween!!!!!!!

As usual, this weekend was packed with fun! Saturday Brad's cousin Andrea got married and Gwen got to practice her dance moves again...this time she actually wanted to dance with someone!

Blake showed Gwen how to dance with a partner that was her size. She really liked the twirling part :-)

This morning we got up early, went to church and then carved our pumpkins!!!!! We just kept having to postpone this activity. Gwen had a blast deciding what shapes to use, helping get the "goo" out, and then putting all the cutouts back in again. Who knew a pumpkin would be her favorite shape sorter?!?!

"I have to get the goo out! EWWWW!"

"Ta da! Isn't my pumpkin beautiful!!!!!"

"It's our pumpkin family!"

(Gwen's at left, Mommy's, and Daddy's)

Gwen was such a big girl this week and used the potty every time (for everything too!) and got a big pony as a prize! She is so excited and can't wait for her Uncle Joey to keep his promise to put a real pony in the new fence! (You really don't have to Joey!)

Next on today's agenda was a get together with the Tempels to make Turtle soup. It's always a nice time to spend with the family, and Gwen always loves time to play with her best friend Grace.

They really are inseparable at times!

"We're here to save you!"

"Or just to look really cute!"

The Fashionistas!

"Happy Halloween Daddy!"

"I'll drive Gracie, you can start the engine!"

After a good nap, Gwen got to do some much anticipated Trick-or-Treating!

"When I wave my wand you will be a pumpkin pie!"

"Trick or Treat!"

Happy Halloween to all our "Priends"! from the "Pink Pairy" (aka The Pink Fairy)

It's a...

I just got back from having an ultrasound and...IT'S A BOY!!!!!!! We are so excited. Gwen needs some convincing, she is still saying it is a sister, but we have time to work on that. Here are some pictures from today :-)

Hello Baby Boy!

His little feet

His little face

Already sucking his little thumb!

Also, as promised, here is that hysterical video of Lilly and Gwen!

Gwen's visit to Chicago

It was Fall Break for me, so Friday morning Gwen and I flew up to Chicago to visit Gammy and Bubba! We were picked up from the airport, went straight to Bubba's office to say "hi", and then off to the zoo for lunch! Gwen loved it and it was the perfect afternoon for it!

"Hello Zebra!"

"Where is that rhino hiding?"

"Gammy, we really are fishies!"

"Happy Halloween!" a little early :-)

Even the lions were dressed up!

This is actually a real pumpkin! Unbelievable!

Friday night we hung out at Erin's house and had a wonderful time. Saturday night they came to us! Gwen put on her fairy costume and did a little piano playing and singing for us!

"I am singing a song for Lilly! La La La!"

Lilly loved having Gwen around! She was so much fun to see and getting so big so fast!

We have a great video, but it isn't working right now. I'll try it again later. For now, enjoy the pictures

One Busy Sunday!

On Sunday, we decided to make it a day of fun instead of just a day of rest. We started our morning helping Brad's family clean fish. Gwen and I mostly watched, but Daddy helped a bunch!

Gwen did some modeling

And made some fresh fish scale soup. Yummy!

While Gwen took her nap after lunch, we drove out to Lark Ranch! It was our first time at this pumpkin patch, but we can definitely say it won't be our last! We had so much fun! Gwen could stop talking about how much fun she having, and who would be joining us next year (she is already planning that Lilly, Erin, Don Don, Kelley, Gammy, Bubba, Gram, Poppy, Ashley, Joey, Whitney, and Abby are coming). :-)

The sun was so bright, Gwen wouldn't look at the camera

Check out that face! She was so excited to ride a pony again and acted like she was a professional!

There was a little zoo there with chickens, pigs, goats, cows...but Gwen's favorites were Patches' and Bolt's friends--the bunnies!

Gwen even milked a cow!

Who knew tractors had slides?!?!?!

"This one is the best ever!"

We took a hay ride to the pumpkin patch and got to pick out our pumpkins.

Gwen just loved looking for the perfect pumpkin!

Here are the perfect pumpkins! From left to right we have Daddy's, Mommy's and Gwen's. We'll show you later what they become:-)

Gwen on the hay ride back to the main ranch. We had so much fun and hope to make this a family tradition each year!

Checking off the list

Gwen's visit with Bubba and Gammy was nothing less than wonderful. We all had a great time with them. Gwen's checklist didn't get completely checked off, but here are just a few of the things that did (and pictures were taken of) :-)

Gwen took her Big Bubble Bath with pink water

Gwen took Bubba and Gammy to Holiday World, and we went to Holidog Park. She took them on the jeeps...

Showed off her monkey skills...

rode the ponies on the carousal...

Rode the Nursery Rhyme Train...

And Bubba and Gammy took turns pushing her in the stroller while there.

We even got ice cream!

Gwen painted Gammy's nails pink

(after some convincing that white wasn't really her color)

She painted Bubba's nails pink (we didn't have brown polish)

Even Daddy's nails got painted! And yes, they were pink.

Mine were pink too, just so you know I didn't get left out of the spa day.

After a long weekend of fun, Gwen decided to draw it all on her newly hung chalkboard (thanks Bubba for helping Daddy put it up.)