3rd Annual Pumpkins and Pizza

Even though I know it will be hectic and crazy and loud and messy....I just can't help but have our annual pizza and pumpkin party. We invite our friends, order pizza and pick a dessert, then carve pumpkins. This year we added painting pumpkins, I thought it would be less messy and easier if the kids wanted something they could do themselves. I guess it would've been less messy if my 18 months old hadn't walked in the paint...

Me and Jodi

Mommy Daddy and Kate

Ava and Blake showing their pumpkins

Jodi helping Kate

Bri's favorite, the slimy pumpkin guts.

Mommy and Blake

Everyone hard at work.

Noah posing for with his pumpkin.

Lexi and her pumpkin.

The finished products! 

{Sidenote:  We miss our FINCHERS!!! You better be at next year's pizza and pumpkin party}

The Pumpkin Patch, In Pictures

This is what a time out at the pumpkin patch looks like.  Poor thing.  She got over it quickly. I can't remember what she did. 

Sigh....I love my family.  I live for our days we get to hang out all four of us. 
God is Good :)

Blake spent a whole week in Arkansas earlier this month, then Kate and I drove in to pick her up and spend a few days visiting. 

Kate and Grammie checking out the horses.

LOVE HER.

Giggling with Caitlyn.

Grandpa and Liam.

Layla!!! (who is going to be a BIG sister by the way!)

My Dad taking the girls for a wagon ride.

Kinley and Blake.

I just loved the angel in the background. 

Kinley and Kate.  Too much cuteness :)

My Grandma and "her boy" Nathan.

Blake loves riding.

Lexi and Blake riding horses with Grammie's neighbors.

Just for kicks, here's a video of the kids being wild.

Hoyt Family Drive By!

In late September my Aunt and her whole family were going on a vacation to San Antonio.  We were lucky enough to have them stop and see us for a night. 

Since we live so far away we rarely get to see my little 2nd cousins Nathan and Kinley. 
I looked forward to this visit for a whole month, and they didn't disapoint. 
With 4 kids three and under our house was full of fun.



Blake, Nathan and Kinely jumping in Kate's crib.




All settled in on the couch bed. I tell you, the couch bed is a life savor.  If we are bored at home, I just pull that sucker out and we have hours of fun.



Nathan!!

Kinley!!

Kinely impressed us with her skills. 

Kate watching TV.

I wish I would've gotten a picture of the adults.  We were so happy they got to come stay a night with us.

First Day of School!

Just pretend this is early September...
The girls just started preschool again for the fall!

Blake is in her 3rd year at YCW! She is in a class with 20 other 3 year olds, and has three amazing teachers.  Blake loves school.  Ms. Katie is the teacher she's most taken with, and I can completely understand why. Katie is so kind and patient.  This week Blake was "Star of the Week".  We made her a personalized poster board with all her favorite things and she got to stand up and explain all the pictures and decorations.  Katie commented that Blake was calling herself the "SUPER Star of the Week". LOL.

This is Kate's first year at YCW. She will go on Thursdays and is in Miss Sarah's Class.  Miss Sarah also taught Blake in the toddler class. 

It's such a great resource to have a preschool at our church.  The girls see the same group of wonderful women at church, bible study, and preschool.  They've known Blake since she was 9 months old in the nursery. 

1st Day pictures never go how I expect. 
Blake did her part by smiling nicely before we loaded up in the car.

 Kate wanted nothing to do with sitting still on the front porch bench. She needed to be snuggly strapped in for her 1st day picture. 

 Kate and Miss Sarah

I think I'll go to Boston!

The weekend of September 11th Jodi and I had our first ever girls trip.  To say I had a good time is a severe understatement.  I couldn't have asked for a better place, better weather, or a better friend to travel with!  I'm so thankful for you Jodi!!  You tolerate all my quirks and were even gracious enough to extend our trip by a whole day to calm my fears. 

My favorite part of our trip was this harbor tour. 

 We befriended a professional photographer on our tour and he took this picture of us! We were so cold and these sweatshirts looked so cool, how could we refuse :)

 At Quincy Market where I had my first Lobster Bisque...I was in love.

 Watching a Harvard Theater group perform at the Harbor. 

 At the Public Garden on a beautiful September 11th. 

I loved these houses.  I can't imagine what one like this might cost, but I wouldn't mind living there!

I was definitely lazy about taking pictures.  But I have so many memories of our trip. 

Now we just have to decide where to go next year!

A big thanks to my Mom, Grandma and Nick for being so encouraging about me going.