Wilderness Warriors

Mia and Olivia sitting on the newly chopped down tree.

Halloween weekend we headed up north to Alpena for the weekend. We needed to close up our camper for the winter. Granted it was a bit chilly during the morning, but warmed up to surprisingly glorious afternoons. Andy did some cleaning up of little trees and other large ones that had gotten damaged in the terrible wind storm a couple weeks prior. The girls and I had fun exploring some of our trails and going off of the beaten path. Both Mia and Olivia loved watching Andy chop down a large tree with his chainsaw from afar. It was a nice and relaxing weekend for me and the girls, but Andy would probably say differently. He also tried to burn some small piles of brush, but immediately realized he shouldn't have. After running back and forth to his fire and the camper for water, he got the tractor and dumped a few buckets of dirt on the fire to put it out. His adrenalin was going and he's not used to running. Add cutting down trees, weed whacking, and the long drive and he was one tuckered out guy. While Andy was busy playing firefighter, I had taken the girls into town to visit my Aunt Julie and Uncle Pat and saw my cousin Brad. When we returned, Mia and I planted tulip bulbs and dug a few holes for some trees I ordered. We plan on planting them when we're up over Thanksgiving. My Uncle Jere was kind enough to put us up for the weekend so we didn't have to freeze in our camper. He is always so welcoming and we enjoy ourselves at his home immensely. We look forward to heading up to stay with him again at Thanksgiving. We drove home on Halloween day so we could get home for trick-or-treating.

Olivia striking a pose in the tall grass.

My crew taking a break for a photo on daddy's newly chopped tree.

My girls...I can't help but love them!

Halloween continued

Our neighbors hosted their annual balloon launch. It saddens me to see all of those balloons fly off into the air only to end up littered along our Earth and probably choke some poor animal, but the children of our town looked forward to it every year, as do my own girls. So I try and shove the environmentalist in me down and look at the joy in the children's eyes. I truly saw it in Olivia and Mia's eyes this year. Even my dad and Patty who came over to watch it seemed in awe.

Olivia at a loss for words, as she watches the balloons float above her.

Mia scanning the sky of balloons

Mia and daddy returning on a chilly evening from raiding the neighborhood for candy!

Halloween Festivities

Another Halloween has come and gone. All that is left are memories, costumes that will probably never be worn again, and way too much candy. At least we can preserve those memories with some adorable photos of the kids looking their best. Olivia wanted to be Olivia the Pig, but of course there is no costume to be found anywhere. So I attempted to make my seamstress of a mother proud and live on through me and sew her one myself. Let's just say, my mom would be proud of my attempt. Poor Mia got stuck wearing Olivia's hand me down frog costume, but it's too cute not to use again. Andy took the girls around the neighborhood with our old neighbors, the Moores. Andy said Mia really got the concept and walked to each house and wouldn't let him carry her candy container. She was well aware that if she carried that up to the door, attempted to say, "trick-or-treat," then some strange people would put things in her pumpkin container.

An Alien named Gavyn showed up at our home on Halloween wanting our girls to go trick-or-treating with him. He was too cute to deny any request.

Mia the frog

Although she couldn't say, "Ribbit, ribbit," yet, Andy had her saying, "trick-or-treat" and "thank you."

The Wednesday prior to Halloween, we went to our friends the Sterlings, for a small, kid-friendly Halloween party. The house was decorated so cutely, with crafts to complete and goodies to eat. And of course the kids all gathered on the sofa for a viewing of Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin. It was a fun and festive time!

Olivia the Pig, stopped trick-or-treating long enough for a picture with her Clone Trooper hero, Adam!

Birthday Sweets

Aunt Jennifer and Olivia have been planning her birthday cake or cupcakes for a couple of months now. Jennifer graciously offered to make Olivia's cake this year and has enjoyed trying out various samples on us the past few months. They turned out very cute and also delicious!

Cupcakes in a range of chocoalte with a custard or pudding like filling and also yellow cupcakes with butterfly sprinkles throughout made the menu.

A tower of cupcakes with edible butterflies wishing a "Happy 5th Birthday Olivia," also decorated the table.

The pastry chef, Jennifer, holding her handy work. Thanks for all your hard work Jennifer! The sweets were enjoyed by many.

Bowled Over With Fun!

We celebrated 5 blessed years with our Olivia this past Saturday, by taking the family and a few close friends bowling. Since Olivia turned 4, she's been planning her 5th birthday and bowling hadn't left the agenda. We usually just stay at home and invite friends, but Olivia has been wanting to invite friends, since she always goes to their parties, so we decided for her 5th she could. I think all the kids had a blast as did the adults that were present.

From L to R Kylee and Emma Randall, Olivia, Adam, and Zsolt

Olivia had all her cousins in attendance as well. Pictured above are Asher and Jadon trying to pick out the perfect bowling ball. Asher was the only person to get a strike the entire day!

James had so much fun bowling and was adorable to watch. He didn't want his mother's help, and would just rock back and forth on each foot while he waited for the ball to slowly roll down the lane to knock over some pins. His ball even came to a stand still at one point.

Girly Fun!

The girls and I had a fun dress up day. We pulled all the random things out, fabrics, slippers, dress-up clothes, and what not and had a blast dancing around in our get ups.

Giving kisses to my sweet Mia!

Two best buddies peek out the window. Vada and Mia are truly best buds these days. They follow each other around all the time. Vada is currently attending obedience school for all her misbehaviors that we are trying to correct, but the one positive she's always had is she is great with our girls. She's never tried to nip at them or use them as chew toys. Hopefully obedience school is a positive change for us all.

Pillow fights are also a new trend in our home. Aunt Jen came and the girls enjoyed including her in a fun round of pillow fights.

Fair

We took Mia to the fair for her first time last Sunday. It was a beautiful day, and early enough that there weren't too many crowds of people. My legs were killing me from attempting my first ever 5K the day prior, but we enjoyed a nice family trip to the fair. I think we all got our fill of unhealthy greasy fair food to last us until next year.

Mia and Olivia loved petting a rabbit!

The family posing in front of a camel.

Olivia was excited to ride the train, and it just so happened that her friend Austin was riding at the same time.

Olivia loved petting the goats.