Monday, November 26, 2012

Go Figure {Skate}

Whew...the time is passing me by!  I'm trying to keep up with daily life that it's hard to actually try and preserve it...but I certainly don't want these memories to pass me up! 

We had a nice Thanksgiving with family as well as preparing our very own Thanksgiving meal at home at Martin Manor!  Ellie celebrated her second birthday with a small family party, and we put up {most} of our Christmas decorations...and now November's days are numbered! 

But in the midst of all of the holiday excitement...Emily competed in her second ice-skating competition at the Indiana Figure Skating Championships last weekend!  And just one day before, while practicing a new move...she fell on the ice using her chin to brace her fall...landing us in the ER, and her leaving with a few stitches!
Emily never shed a tear...she didn't even know how hard she fell...she was ready to get right back up and skate...and in the end...she is officially part of the skate club!  Having stitches in your chin is all part of the package!  ha!

The next day...she was ready to compete!  We were all happy to have Grandma and  Grandpa, and Grammy, Aunt Nicole and Hunter there to support her!
 
Warming up...

Getting ready to cheer on her fellow skater, Emelie...

We are so proud of Emily!  She truly enjoys ice-skating and shows such determination and enthusiasm when she skates!  It made us even more proud to watch her get awarded First Place in her level!
Looking good in Gold!
Fellow skater Maddy congratulating Emily
Great job Emily!  We love you!

Afterwards, Grammy, Aunt Nicole and Hunter went out for a fun dinner to celebrate with us!

We are looking forward to the next competition in January!
{I'm just a little afraid that it will be here in the blink of an eye...time.slow.down!}

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Buh-Bye October...

It's true...again and again, I tried to avoid the fact that Fall is pretty much over, and we've moved onto the winter blahs and holiday hustle and bustle already.  October is officially gone...it's already a week into November.  Half the Halloween candy has been consumed already by me mysteriously...and I'm fighting the urge to get the Christmas tree and decorations out!  {I know...I just said I was sad that Fall was over...yet, I do love the Christmas season just as much!}

But I can't move onto the sparkle and shine of Christmas until I've properly bid farewell to October and all the fun memories it left with us!

We were a bit late this year, and didn't make it to the pumpkin patch and get to ride the wagon out to the field to find just the right pumpkin from the vine...but even though I love that tradition...the kids didn't really seem all that phased by missing out. {boo-hoo}  But we did go to our favorite local farm market and pull the little wagons right up to the piles of pumpkins where they were just as happy to find the perfect one for them!

stopping to pet the sweet kitty first
let's go find some pumpkins!
I found one!
how about this one?
...or this one?
this one's just my size!
okay...over  here Daddy!
Alex found a big one!
I want to pick out more pumpkins!
 Time to head home with their perfect picks...and let the real fun begin!
 
No matter where the pumpkins come from...this is what the kids enjoy the most... 
Creating, carving, and scooping out the slimy, gooey pumpkin guts!
let's scoop!
digging in!
Emily loves the guts!
"ewww!" Alex...not so much!
letting Daddy do the dirty work!

With the jack 'o lanterns lit...we are now ready for Halloween!
Blue Man {Group}, Unicorn, and Sailor
who is that masked man?
 
who's ready to trick-or-treat?
I am!
Let's go!
after we pass out a few treats first!
maybe just one piece for me!
our neighbor Emma, the birthday present!
so excited!
now it's our turn, here we go!
Ellie's first treat...her favorite!
enjoying her sucker all the way around the neighborhood!
always fun to see the furry friends dressed up too!
Please don't eat me!
I think Ellie is liking this trick-or-treating!
Grrrr...!
we're out of candy!
 Although Halloween can be spooky and scary...the kids love it...and so do I!  We look forward to it all year long and it always goes too fast!  It was another fun and memorable year and Alex and Emily start getting excited thinking about their costumes for next time!  I love what they come up with!  They are growing up so fast...and I'm so glad they cherish this one night of the year to dress up, have fun, eat lots of sugar before bed, see all our neighbors and friends...and just be a kid!
 
So here we are in November...it's flying by already...but we have so many fun things lined up!  Emily's American Girl Fashion Show debut, her second figure skating competition, Thanksgiving and Elizabeth's birthday!  Whew... please slow it down a bit...
 
October...it's been fun!  See you next year!