Halloween!

Halloween was a lot of fun this year. Ella got to go trick or treating 3 times ... which is pretty cool when you're 6. Hang on, it's pretty cool when you're in your 30s too! Ella was a lovely ballerina (and got to wear make up for the first time - she looks 16), Violet was a pink Unicorn. It was past Vi's bed time, so she's pretty much checked out, but she still looks cute!

Violet laughing

Violet is our little Michelin baby ... and nobody gets her to laugh like Ella does. Violet started kicking in her bath, and Ella said "Kick it up baby" and Vi thought it was awesome. Doesn't Vi have the most awesome rolls?! Enjoy! :)

Ella's a Kindergartener!

My girl has started Kindergarten ... and she LOVES it! (Can you tell?) As if that wasn't hard enough for me though, she's also taking the bus. She's too little to take the bus! But she's thriving and loves everything about school.

Ella waiting in the gym to head to class

Ella Bella on the bus (yes I got to ride with her the first day)

Ella waiting in line for the bus

Violet's first taste of food!

One of the things I love about babies is their reaction to solid foods. It's just AWESOME! Violet loves food now, but at first she was unimpressed! Judging by her face, it must've been pretty bad!

Growing Girls

Violet (5 months)

Violet (2 weeks)

Ella (5 1/2 years)

Ella (3 weeks)

Look how they've grown!

It's fun to see how quick the girls change. Ella is a beautiful joyous almost 6 yr old who simply CANNOT WAIT for school to start! Violet is chubby and happy and growing rapidly! I'm a happy mama!

The fam!

Sam, Ella, Max and OzzyMom, Andy (in blue), Me, Jake (in orange), Beth and Dad

All 14 of us!

All the cousins, including Violet (this really is the best picture we could get!)

My siblings and I haven't been together for almost 3 years. I guess it takes a solid health scare to bring everyone home. (I guess that's only me. I'm the only one who had to go anywhere.) Anyway, we enjoyed being together and watching our kids play. Violet instantly won over her aunts and uncles and Ella super enjoyed playing with her "boy cousins." We were only sad that Cory couldn't come with us, but that's the way it is with short notice trips.

Future Cowgirl

Feeding Cash oats
Ella, Violet, Me and Cash

Auntie Beth and Ella riding Cash

While in Alaska, my sister (who is a great Auntie) arranged for a horseback ride with a coworker. Ella was THRILLED and delighted. Deborah (Beth's coworker) even let Ella steer the horse all by herself. It was a good morning! We even got Violet up for a photo op. Afterwards, Ella showed her appreciation by taking off Cash's saddle, brushing him and feeding him oats. Yummy! Thank you Auntie Beth! :)