October

 We took the girls to a family fall festival a couple weeks back.  They had fun petting the animals and later we went on a hay ride.

 See that excitement.

 Nothing as fun as jumping in a pile of leaves, maybe sliding into them is a bit more fun!

Anna wore an old costume of mine to her fall party at school, it's one my mom made me.

See me, all the way over on the left, don't you love my mismatched shoes too! For those who know my brother Andrew, he's the clown looking right at the camera with the white knit cap on, mom made that costume too!

Fun on the 4th

We started our patriotic attire on Sunday so that we could fit it all in!

 silly sisters

 We headed to a friend's house for a cookout and some small fireworks.  The kids were thrilled!

 Check out Peter leaping next to Maria. 

 They did get a bit scared and all scooted back.

Anna trying out sparklers for the first time.

 Maria too.

We have plenty to praise God for; our freedoms.

Father's Day

 Actually on Friday, but the girls were having such fun playing dress up I had to get a picture.  Every couple of minutes they would show up downstairs in new outfits...some were not proper to put on the blog! 

 We surprised daddy and took him to Mexico Lindo in Knox for Saturday lunch.  He was in dire need of some Horchata!  Anna entertained us by asking to go "potty" about 5 times!  Only one of which did she actually go, but she is doing awesome on potty training.  She routinely tells us when she has to go, rarely having accidents anymore, and even waking from naps dry.  Nighttime is probably a long ways off, but I'll take whatever I can get!

 The girls both loved their enchiladas...

 and the chips of course.  Anna loves guacamole...the chip is just a delivery method!
After lunch we decided to make a drive to Valparaiso to get some dessert...I found out that a place there has Horchata ice cream...so, we just had to treat daddy!  Not often we drive almost an hour for dessert!

 On Sunday the girls enjoyed playing with their matching Aquadoodles...Maria was drawing a rainbow and gold at the end...

Anna of course said she was drawing the same thing, imitation is the best form of flattery.

 Maria's rainbow and gold...she said it wasn't in a pot!

Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy around!

St. Patrick's Recap

We had a very green dinner...but the girls loved it, maybe we'll have to start a color of the day for our food and they'll actually eat more veggies!

Christmas from a child's view

Maria wanted to take some pictures of the family gathering, so here is what things looked like from her perspective.

 a surprised sister

a speaking Grandma...she caught her mid-sentence

 a happy mom

 a serious Joshua

 a silly grandpa

a sulking Zach...he has just gotten reprimanded.

 a joyful daddy

a contented aunt and uncle

Christmas Round 2

Sunday we headed to the Larry's parent's house and had yet another Christmas gathering.  We feasted on Roast Leg of Lamb, and it was GOOD!  The cousins had fun playing as best as 1 and 3 year olds know how!

 Anna "helping" grandma in the kitchen...I am sure she was just there to find something to eat!

 the cousins

 watching present opening in anticipation

 "hiding out" under the piano

 peek!

 hey partner...I forget exactly why they kept saying that, but then they would hand you a green stick and then want it back...the mind of a three year old??

Uncle Justin entertaining the troops

Christmas at home

 trying the new bottle that came with her baby

 opening the gift Maria made us at preschool

 a handtowel with her handprints on it, that form into an angel

 showing off the new pajamas they got from family

We have plenty to praise God for; a real reason to celebrate, Jesus Christ.