BOO!

Yesterday, we bundled up and took Madeline to Boo Dell at Yew Dell. It was FREEZING, but she really wanted to trick or treat again so off we went, with my dad and sister. 

We sped through but still had a lot of fun!

This little sweet girl stayed home with grandma to stay warm!

Last night, we got "boo'ed" by one of our neighbors. We got a cute note along with a bag of treats. Stella even got some dog bones from Blue Dog Bakery--she is really popular with all of our neighbors! Now I have to BOO two of my neighbors so Maddie and I are headed out to get some goodies!

Princess pants, playing in the cabinets and tummy time!

Nana bought Madeline a new princess shirt--Belle!--which she immediately wore the next day. 

It went perfectly with her princess pants too.

On Saturday I took the girls to my parents while Chris worked in the basement. (That project was a little delayed but we are getting back on track now!)

Proud of her pumpkin!

Sydney watched and advised!

On Sunday we had a big breakfast together. We were cleaning up after when we heard Madeline laughing hysterically. We looked over and all we could see were her tennis shoes hanging out of the cabinet. We told her we could see her so then she tucked herself all the way in. 

Every day we give Sydney her tummy time. Yesterday she fussed for a few minutes and then gave up. What a sweet sweet face!

Sydney's Newborn pics!

Two weeks after Sydney was born, a photographer came to our house to capture some family photos. Since she was early, we weren't able to do them at the 7 day mark (which is really preferable since they are still so sleepy and moldable). I was really nervous because Sydney was awake, cold and cranky for the first portion. BUT, Bethany worked her magic and got her to sleep and got some great shots! We have over 250 photos, but here's a few of my very favorites!

SISTERS!

Just sweet Sydney!

For comparison sake, here's one of Maddie's newborn shots. Can you tell the difference??

Our big girl!

Our family!

Date night, Halloween party, School Fun and Great-Grandma comes to visit!

On Friday, Chris and I snuck away for a date with Kyle and Danielle. 

It was really dark in the restaurant...so it's hard to see our sleep-deprived eyes!

Smile now...while you just have one kid....who sleeps through the night. 

We had a great time catching up with K and D and are so thankful to have parents who help us out. Dinner was delicious!

On Saturday, Maddie and daddy cleaned out the cars. (Well, mainly daddy cleaned. Maddie played.)

Saturday afternoon, Dane came over to play!

These two are silly-silly when they get together! 

We had an early pizza dinner and then got dressed up to go to the zoo Halloween party!!  This is the first year Maddie was old enough to pick her Halloween costume. I asked her what she wanted to go as and she immediately shouted "PRINCESS."

Of course.

Tia had brought back this Belle outfit last year from Disney so Halloween was easy for me this year!

It took a LONG time to get to the party so we were all a little tired by the time we finally got into the zoo.

Maddie changed out of her princess shoes into her tennis shoes because, as she said, "I need to wear my tennis shoes because Dane and I are going to run all over the place." 

 Sydney girl didn't go to the zoo party because she was technically still on house-arrest. She had fun at her grandma and grandpa's house.

On Tuesday, my grandma came over to play with the girls.

Finally, Maddie's teacher sent me a few pics of her at school having a good time.

 Her BFF, Stella. 

I JUST got this picture from Maddie's teacher. Notice it's nap time. Everyone is sleeping except Maddie-cakes. Sigh.

More pics of Sydney to come soon!

Scavenger Hunt, Scraped Knees and Sugar!

Last night was a gorgeous night so we took the girls on a walk. I printed out a scavenger hunt for Madeline to do and she LOVED it. She had some markers and a list of things to look for. Some items were easy for her to find (house, mailbox, bird) and others were more difficult (trash can, fire hydrant, stop sign, basketball hoop). She took such pleasure in finding each item and only asked for help a few times. 

Sydney didn't find it quite as exciting.

We've been squeezing in swing set play every night before Winter comes!

The other night Maddie and I were kicking her ball around and she took a hard tumble on the concrete. We had a couple of scraped knees, which isn't unusual, but this time there was a little blood. This caused a lot of tears! But, it was nothing some princess band-aids couldn't fix!

Last week, Maddie's teacher had a rough week so we made her some cupcakes. Maddie helped decorate...one of them. I noticed she was eating so much frosting decorating the one cupcake that we stopped after that and I finished them after she went to bed.

Speaking of sugar, nana brought Maddie a cookie yesterday. I asked for a piece and she pulled off the tiny crumb that you see on the table. Hilarious! 

Don't worry- she ended up sharing bigger pieces with both me and daddy!

This picture has been cracking me up for days. Sydney looks terrified in this picture but Maddie is so excited. Madeline calls her "my love" and "pretty girl" and always has her hands on her. I think Sydney just wonders who the little blonde monster is that is always in her face.

Tonight we are going on our double date with Kyle and Danielle that was scheduled the day Sydney was born. I cannot wait for some fondue and adult time!