October is probably my favorite month of the year! I love it--the weather, the changing leaves, my birthday, and Halloween! We didn't seem to fit in most of our favorite October festivities this year with the house remodel still well under way! I missed not being able to decorate for Halloween and putting mums on our porch, but looking forward to next year with our big porch!
We picked out pumpkins from a little farm market {next to McDonalds!} and carved and decorated them just in time for Halloween! We almost skipped this favorite tradition since we haven't been at home for this season, but the kids were disappointed at the thought of it! I'm so glad they love the Halloween spirit too!
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| {Alex-Haunted IU, Elizabeth-Unicorn, Abby-sparkly paint} |
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| {Emily-Creepy zombies} |
The weather this year for Halloween was the worst
ever...even {maybe} more than
last year when it was postponed for a day! It was cold, wet...and snowing!
Blah! But it didn't stop us from Trick-or-Treating...even for just a little bit! A little bit of crummy weather won't ruin my favorite holiday of the year!
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| {Unicorn, Supergirl, Flower, Sorcerer Mickey} |
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| {bundled up for a frosty evening} |
It's so fun to watch the excitement of Halloween at this age! Elizabeth ran away from each house just as excited as the first! She still loved getting lollipops the most!
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| {calling it a night...even before it's actually night...poor Abby! ha!} |
We also had some really great weather, which was just perfect--cool, breezy and sunny...the reason I love this month so much!
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| {almost 18 months! She's getting so big!} |
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| {enjoying a warm afternoon at the playground!} |
We also made it to the Slightly Haunted Puppet Theater in Nashville {Brown County} to see our favorite puppet show! We almost didn't make that either...but it wouldn't have been the same if we missed it! Abby really enjoyed it this year too!
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| {popcorn, apple cider and front row seats!} |
Elizabeth loved marching in her preschool costume parade and singing songs!
Alex's sixth-grade class participated in a hot-air balloon launch! Each team constructed a balloon using tissue paper, glue and lots of tape! Alex's team did great!
Dan and I were able to escape for a night in Bloomington for a date night laughing with Jay Leno live! And enjoying the campus during Homecoming! It was a fun {and quiet!} weekend!
And, I think the big highlight for October was our trip to Universal Studios and Disney World over Fall break! This was our second trip to Disney, but our first as a family of six! It's always amazing, fun and memorable...but it was not without it's challenges!
The first full day of vacation started with my birthday! {39!} Abby and Elizabeth stayed with a sitter so that we could enjoy a day without strollers or diaper changes...a true birthday gift!
Harry Potter is definitely our favorite! Such a cool experience!
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| {we rode Hogwarts Express, tried butter beer for the first time and took a ride through the vaults at Gringotts!} |
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| {breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron} |
Elizabeth and Abby joined us for a second day at Universal--which I was happy to hang out with them since my stomach couldn't handle the more thrilling rides {The Mummy} other than the Caro-Seuss-el, which was more my speed!
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| {swimming at sunset, a great way to end the day!} |
Checking into Disney! Enjoying our view from the Animal Kingdom Lodge! We love watching the animals roam from our balcony!
Breakfast at Chef Mickey! Elizabeth was so excited to meet Mickey and Friends...
...Abby was not!
While Dan, Alex and Emily headed off to ride some thrilling rides...Elizabeth had so much fun meeting lots of Princesses and more friends who signed her autograph book!
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| {Elizabeth loved Dumbo! And a ride mom could enjoy too!} |
After a long day...it was so nice to sit and relax away from the crowds at the Fireworks Dessert Party! We had a great view of the castle and of Tinkerbell as she flew right over our heads!
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| {Hump Day at Hollywood Studios! Alex has worn his favorite shirt every Wednesday since the beginning of the school year!} |
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| {having fun at the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground!} |
Another long day, ending with a really fun dinner at the Polynesian Resort! Hula dancing, fire dancing and delicious food!
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| {our first time at Epcot!} |
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| {Elizabeth was not a fan of the Nemo ride...or Bruce the shark!} |
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| {but she loves Goofy! Her favorite character of all!} |
We ended our day at Epcot dining with the Princesses in Norway! They were absolutely sweet and the food was yummy!
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| {a sweet hug from one Cinderella to another!} |
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| {...a great day!} |
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| {last day at the Animal Kingdom} |
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| {breakfast at the Tusker House with Mickey, Donald, Daisy and Goofy!} |
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| {I loved celebrating my birthday all week long...and eating cupcakes for breakfast!} |
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| {by the end of the week, even Abby was really warming up to the characters! She seemed to love Donald and was all smiles when he came to visit us!} |
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| {admiring the Tree of Life, my waiting companions, my thrill seekers ready to ride Expedition Everest!} |
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| {look, mom's on a ride!} |
We completed our extremely fun, extremely exhausting, extremely memorable trip by attending Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party at the Magic Kingdom! Definitely a highlight of the week!
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| {Sorcerer, little bee, Sleeping Beauty and Queen Elsa ready for the parade and Trick-or-Treating} |
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| {talking to ghosts while waiting to ride the Haunted Mansion!} |
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| {saying good-bye to a wonderful week! So much fun!} |
After returning home from vacation, Emily and Elizabeth were still in Princess mode, having a fun time at the Princess Skate and Tea Party at the ice rink!
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| {Elizabeth's picture made the local newspaper too! She was dressed as her very favorite Princess, Snow White!} |
October ended with a few majorly exciting house remodel updates! We were so thrilled to see our kitchen finally starting to look like a kitchen again! I only hope my cooking will be as fabulous as this space! ha!
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| {a cubby for each of us as we enter through the side door/garage...they look amazing! Hoping to keep our coats, shoes, backpacks and extra stuff off the floors!} |
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| {excited for a covered front porch and a porch swing!} |
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| {plenty of room for clothes, clothes and more clothes in the laundry room!} |
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| {Abby's room--the only piece of home that is back to normal...just having the trim painted!} |
Good bye, October! Until next year...
