our darling daughters

A couple of weeks ago I got the girls dressed nicely, which can be rare around this house, and took them to a place outside of Weston that Chad and I stumbled upon and thought would make for some fun photos.  I was able to capture a few, though it was a bit chilly and the girls were more interested in being done so we could go play at Taya's house :)  Enjoy!

 {oh, how I adore those curls}

 {this two-year-old loves to explore}

 {the girls were discussing what/who lived in this old house- Chloe decided it must've been cows because there was cow poop inside}

 {love}

 {words between sisters}

 {a pair of smiles}

{Chloe showing a mostly genuine smile.  Embrace it, it doesn't happen often, in photos, anyway}

Halloween

Halloween is a fun holiday, but it is usually stressful for me- fussing over how the girls look, attempting to try to keep them looking good, taking pictures (and doing everything to ensure they are good pictures), Skype-ing with my parents, running the kids to the Taylors' and to see Grandma Griffeth, and the trunk-or-treat.  It is just all systems go from about lunchtime until bedtime and that certainly wears me out. Thankfully the girls always look cute, and it is only one night.  Thank goodness!  The girls had fun, though they both had fussy times.  Berkley pooped in her costume, which took about 10 minutes to take off and put back on (oh, how we love layers)!  Chloe fell out of the van as she was trying to get in on the way to the trunk-or-treat.  Oh drama.  It was fun, we got just enough candy to be dangerous, and the girls were exhausted and slept well  that night :)

Mom & Dad always get the girls a fun & cute gift for Halloween.  This year they sent them a popcorn ball decorating kit from the Popcorn Factory- delicious and fun :)

 {Chloe showing off one of her popcorn balls}

 {she said she wanted to look scary- I think she just looks silly!}

 {Berkley was being a goof while decorating}

 {and here is her lovely popcorn ball (one of three, I might add) with lots of white chocolate "hair"}

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On Halloween night we took some fun pictures outside. Unfortunately, attitudes toward pictures were hit and miss, but I think I got some cute and funny pictures :)

 {my dear Chloe trying to talk her little sister into being more cooperative for pictures}

 {hahahaha.  isn't this fantastic?!? The stink eye from both of them, and who can't love that pouty lip Berk is sporting?}

 {Chad was behind me trying to get them to both at least look in the same direction}

 {Our Minnie had a bit of fun playing with the leaves}

 {our bright and shining Rapunzel}

 {those beautiful blues get this girlie almost anything she wants}

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The girls both designed their own jack-o-lanterns.  We gave them each a permanent marker and free reign.  Then Chad, our master carver, carved these fun faces!

 {Berkley was looking for the black candle inside her pumpkin- I love how crooked it's mouth is and the small size of his nose}

 {darling Minnie so proud of her pumpkin}

{and sweet Rapunzel not looking too enthused about her pumpkin, though she really did love it.  She drew teeth on it, but they just simply were to small to cut out, so it instead had a mustache :)  See those little black dots?  Chloe informed us that those were his ears.  Oh, the creativity of children}

A taste of our October

OK, ok.  I realize that it has been f.o.r.e.v.e.r.  And, it has.  But we have been super busy around here with many different projects and exciting things :)  I decided that for my time, which seems to be pretty precious this time of year, and sanity that I'd simply combine most of October into this single, yet wonderful post!

My quest this fall has been to incorporate at least one sensory activity or cooking experience and two art activities/projects a day.  We have been having so much fun, but we are also running low on art supplies... go figure!  The girls have been loving it; and trust me, we aren't always perfect every day, but I try very hard to make it work!  

On this day we played with cooked spaghetti noodles and cars & trucks in our sensory "bin" (still patiently waiting for my dear husband to build us a new sensory table).  It basically turned into a "Let's put our whole bodies into the spaghetti" activity.  They had so. much. fun. 

 {sprinkling it all over their legs}

 {...and into their toes}

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We also made an unexpected, but very welcome trip to Hogle Zoo with Melanie & Taya at the beginning of the month.  We had so much fun!  Our trip also included Tai Pan Trading & Ruby Snap :)  It was so much fun to get out of the house with a wonderful friend!  Love you, Mel <3 p="p">

 {sweet Chloe playing in the tunnel with Taya}

 {Berkley, Chloe, Taya- I love this picture, but it was super bright!}

 {little mini}

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And, of course, since it was Halloween and I was on my quest for art activities galore, the girls made a plethora of Halloween related pictures, paintings, and even this cute little Kleenex box monsters!

 {Berkley's monster had tons of eyes in each eye ball}

 {Chloe's monster had cotton ball eyes and lots of teeth!}

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Naturally, Finn was here all October.  I love this little pup, I really do, but he isn't always on my good side (or should I say he is usually on my bad side)!  He doesn't always listen, and he definitely knows how to push my buttons, but there are good moments that are strung together that make me love him.  Chad and I laugh about it and say that he is "... just good enough to keep around."  We love you Finn, but if you could listen a bit better than you have lately, that would be STUPENDOUS!

{this is one of Finn's favorite spots to relax}