Halloween 2011

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

This Halloween was great because Ben was here (unlike last year) and the kids each got to wear two costumes!

First, we went to the Ward Trunk-or-Treat and we all dressed up. Claire was wearing her SuperGirl costume that she chose but then saw me wear whatever I put on... I wasn't even sure what I was dressing up as but Claire loved it and said, "I want to be that!" so I thought it would be fun if we matched. I guess we were gypsies.

We made Claire earrings and it is always fun to put a ton of make up on her... although it looks awful.

Here we are at the Trunk-or-Treat. Ben was a Jedi and Benson was a Motocross Racer. I forgot his mask.

P$ was Baby Ceasar.

OK Halloween night we got together with some friends. In my rush of packing thing together I remembered Benson's mask that I forgot for the Trunk-or-Treat but I forgot his whole costume! So, he got to be a shark (our friend's son's old costume --Thanks Em!) and Claire was Super Girl!

P$ missed all the fun.

Us currently!

Now for the up-to-date stuff!

Here is the Face modeling her new style:
wearing dresses as skirts so they go to her feet. She says she's a Mommy in this picture--high heels, long skirt, purse and a baby.

Claire pumping a bottle for her baby...
And Claire being typical Claire these days.
She's a goof.



Benson's FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Benson's homemade Ninja Turtle mask. He's pretty crafty.
Ben was actually impressed by this one.

Most recent picture of P$...about 4 days ago.

And before that were these:

Visits!

We love when our parents visit! Who doesn't, right?

We blessed Preston in July so Ben's parents and my parents with Amanda came for the occasion.

Claire LOVES Auntie Amanda!

Preston, Ben and both Grandpas

He was such a good quiet pup during the blessing.
Such a good boy.



Moving on to other things:

We decided to dress up. Benson and Claire loved it!
And I loved free Chick-fil-A!!


We took a great trip to the Eastern NC shore with Ben's parents. We went to the Aquarium right on the beach. It was a long drive but super fun.

Benson and Claire were so happy to actually sit next to Daddy in the car!






Touching Sting Rays...
We just happened to go on Pirate night.

And a tuckered out Preston at the end of the day.
Thank you for coming Grandma and Grandpa Thomas!!

July 4th 2011

July 4th is one of my favorite holidays.
P$ almost one month old

We went to the Ward Pancake breakfast and Bike parade.

I dressed Claire and P$, Ben dressed Benson. You can tell he's not American! :)

Benson crashed into the curb and fell off his bike for the first time. :( dramatic.

Claire took pictures of me and baby Preston.

And at home, we had a BBQ in the rain. We let the kids play in the rain to try and make a memory from it!

My big 3-0

Well, I turned 30.
La-dee-freakin'-da. :)

It was uneventful. I wanted a big birthday bash and make a big deal out of my 30th but it didn't happen and that is OK. Ben was gone and I was feeling a little down about it but my family threw me a wonderful party! Great food by T Doggy-Dog and Dave and I could pick any game I wanted. Easy-- "I'm thinking of a person". Similar to 20 questions but not the same. It's an old family favorite and it gets me excited every time someone leaves the room to try and stump them.

You can read about my birthday here.

Benson's 5th

Benson boy... where has the time gone?
Happy Birthday to the Beast.
5 years old

He got a new bike...

LEGO shirt that he had been admiring for quite some time

A snorkel set that he had also been wishing for since the swimming season started. He looked at it, smiled, and gave it a big hug...he has probably used it once.

Star Wars costumes.
A Jedi and a Storm Trooper

This was P$ during the birthday festivities.
2 weeks old

We had a little birthday party for Benson at Chick-fil-A. It was nice and easy for me to do that after having Preston.

Benson is SUCH a good, tender hearted boy.