Halloween 2011

For Halloween this year, Jacob was Harry Potter.  His Grandma Arnold made him this fabulous costume.  It is reversible too!

 Bethany's princess costume required preparation the night before.

We carved our pumpkin the night before.

Kyle and Bethany posed for pictures before trick or treating.

 Kyle the Jedi:

We visited our friend Professor Maiello to go trick or treating before we hit our neighborhood.  He loved seeing his Princess Bethany all dressed up!

Family Pictures 2011

We had our family pictures done in October.  It was a beautiful fall day and I'm really happy with how well they turned out.  I'm always reluctant to do family pictures because it's so stressful, but Bethany was 9 months old in our last family pictures, so I decided that it was time.  The kids were great and very cooperative.

When the kids come visit my school...

Beth on the Zipline

Last weekend, Bethany channeled her fearless side and took a ride down a zipline (in our neighbor's backyard).   You go girl!

LEGO store

 One thing I LOVE about living in Woodbridge is that we live close to a LEGO store.  Every month they hold a "Free Build" where the kids go and build something that is themed for that month.  This month they made little scarecrows.  That is definitely one thing I will miss about VA when we move (the long traffic lights and poor gas mileage will not be missed though!)

First Day of School

Well, it's back to school time.  The kids had a great first day.  Unfortunately it was very rainy the first couple of days (then we had a "flood day" and no school on Friday).  

Kyle started 1st grade and Jacob started 3rd grade.  

 Bethany missed her brothers

Bear Lake 2011

This year, in keeping with our annual tradition, we went to Bear Lake for 4 days of fun with my family.   This year was especially fun (probably because I didn't have a small baby to chase around). We had so much fun and made so many great memories.  

My Mom brought a new book for each night.  It was a great idea (although a couple of nights she completely forgot until the kids were already in bed!)

The kids loved playing dress-ups

 And jumping on the trampoline

This year, the kids painted birdhouses as one of their crafts.

 Bethany LOVED spending time with her sweet little cousin, Gracie.  She still tells me all the time how much she misses her.

Shoes...

"Do they fit Mommy?"

Beach Trip

In California we were able to hit the beach for a day.  (Sorry the pictures are bad- It was bright and I only had my phone to use).  

Once we convinced Kyle that the pigeons wouldn't attack him, he had a great time (he spent the first 2 hours curled up in a camp chair)

As usual Jacob wouldn't join the family picture

Jacob and his buddy Braydon