HALLOWEEN 2010!

Halloween this year came and went! I was on top of the costumes! A few months ago I was talking to my sister, Dore', and we discussed Halloween costumes and she mentioned the M&M idea. I loved it and I accomplished it! These were the EASIEST costumes to make and they were so inexpensive. I spent a total of $3.30 per costume. So, under 20 bucks for 5 costumes. That is a bargain in my mind, considering I have spent a couple hundred in the past on poor quality costumes.

This was so fun to see all my M&M's. Ok, not all. Julia decided against it and Alexis had decided to not dress up until Halloween Eve. Aren't mothers always running around finding or sewing something for Halloween up until everyone walks out the door? This is the story in our house.

Jack wasn't quite sure what was going on. He did not want to try on his costume all week but when the big day came and he saw his brothers getting dressed up he immediately wanted to join the crowd. He looked so cute! At the annual Fox Ridge neighborhood halloween party Jack was very timid about all the masks and people in costume. After we all had some soup and the rain clouds began doing their thing we all went out for the evening. AJ and Austin hooked up with a bunch of friends, Tristan went with Drew and his family, Alexis and her friends hung out at our house and then went out when the rain subsided, Julia stayed indoors and passed out candy (ok, maybe once she stopped Monk to get to the door!), and Aaron and I drove Jack around to a few houses in the neighborhood. He was so cute holding his little pumpkin bag and going to each door. We visited the Browns, Sis. Miller, Sis. Clark and Sis. Neilsen. He was thrilled when they each handed him a piece of candy to put in his bag. Even after 4 houses Jack and I were wet. It was raining pretty hard at times. Everyone had a spooktacular night!

PINK! PINK! PINK!

We are having a GIRL! YEAH! It has been 14 years since we have had baby girl clothes and things laying around our house. I had convinced myself that it would be another boy. When the technician said it was a girl I asked her a few times if she was sure. She had a big smile and knew this was exciting for us. I am so excited! I have to dig up all the old containers of clothing (yes, I did save everything) and see what is salvageable! I know I am going to want to shop 'til I drop for "pretty in pink"!

Broken arm and Eggs! All within a 24 hour period!

Jack broke his left wrist! The poor little guy had to sit with me all day on Sunday until we could get into the doctor on Monday morning. He screamed while taking x-rays because another nurse had to hold him due to my being pregnant. He did not like this at all. I felt so bad for him. He was very interested when the nurse put the cast on. He is so cute. He keeps looking at it and moving his arm up and down. I think in a few days he will be so tired of having it on his arm.

Sunday night at 12:45 am (technically Monday morning), I was lying in bed, wide awake when I heard a car pull up, something hitting our house and then the car sped away. Well, needless to say someone decided to egg our house. I, of course, had the pleasure of cleaning it up. I wish I had a hidden security camera just to shock the heck out of whoever did this! Pay back as an adult... that would be funny!:)

Friends, Fun and France!

We love spending time with our friends in France. They are wonderful people and we love them. We spent a few occasions with the Riberia's. We had a picnic at Pont du Gard, they had us over for a Monday Night get together, and they we had them over to the Gite for swimming and dinner. Also, Patrick came and stayed with us for a day. It was wonderful to see him. And we spent some time with Aline et Jean- Louis. We went to the Uzes market and then had a picnic in a beautiful park. Plus we got together with them at the Riberia's. So many good times!

Swimming at the Gite!

We love to relax in the southern France sunshine! The Gite has a great pool but it is NOT heated. The first week of our stay the pool was FREEZING! The kids would be shivering as they swam. They were very determined to use the pool. As the weeks went by the temperature got warmer and the water was so refreshing. Jack was very hesitant to get in the water until the last few days. He finally would get on Alexis' back or sit on the edge and put his feet in.

Ryan Air

The kids thought this was amazing! We flew between London and France on Ryan Air. It is a very inexpensive way to travel around Europe and because of this the airports were small so we had to go outside to board the plane. It was exciting for the kids because they have only seen this done in movies! :) We were all so tired because we had to leave Aunt Jenni's flat at 4 am. London was cold and overcast and we were praying for that southern France sunshine!

Sur le Pont d'Avignon

We were all so excited to find the old Avignon bridge were they still have the locals dress up, dance and sing. We wanted to sing ourselves especially for Jack since he has listened to this song so many times. Well, we got there and we had to pay a huge amount of money just to walk on the bridge. I told the children we would have to pass. It was just to expensive for all of us to go. So, we took a picture with the Avignon bridge as our back drop. It worked even though there were a few tears. :( & :)