Halloween Party with the Gs

Halloween weekend sure was busy! KK has quite the social life...so much so that it wears me out! After KK napped from the pumpkin patch we headed over to Amanda's house for a block party.

KK had yet another opportunity to wear her costume and eat some sweet treats. We finally got to participate as well and were able to show off our family costume.  I introduce...Diego the Animal Rescuer, Dora the Explorer and Boots the Monkey!

There were about 20 kids there and they all had a blast.  Even the Niedzialeks joined us for some fun!  I didn't get a good picture though, so I'm sad.

Kaylynn participated in a fun bobbing for donuts game. It was a riot watching all these kids trying to eat the donuts without any hands! KK cheated and grabbed the donut and started munching away.  She did, however, hang on to her sippy cup the entire time.

KK is all done

Nais is all done

 These kids would not sit still for a picture so this is the best I got!  Sugar High!

Once the sun went down the adults set up their trick or treating stations and the kids took turns visiting each station trick or treating. This was fun because I finally got to make treats for the kids. Since I can't make any homemade treats for KK's school (lame), I was super excited to make them for our friends. I made yummy cake pops! My new obsession. I also passed out some bows to the little girls too.

After trick or treating was over, we headed home. It was a long day for all of us and we needed to hit the sack. Thanks Amanda for inviting us to your block party!

DeWitt Stables Pumpkin Patch

Groupon was offering a great deal on a pumpkin patch that "claimed" to have horsey rides so I decided to buy it and hope they were right. Luckily, Groupon did not disappoint.  The whole family got admission and free activities for $5!

Jenny, Maddy and Bella met up with us over the weekend to check out DeWitt Stables. It's still hotter than heck out here so we hit up the stables as soon as they opened. It was a small venue, but perfect for the kids. Plus it wasn't very crowded so we didn't have to wait in any lines.

KK loved on Daddy

The girls played in the petting zoo.

I even held a chicken!

The girls bounced around.

The girls also enjoyed HORSEY RIDES!

KK insisted on a white horsey

Maddy wanted the big one

After the horsey ride, we went on a hay ride to the pumpkin patch. KK was really getting a kick out of the hay ride, especially when it got bumpy.

KK lovin' the bumps

Pumpkin Patch Photos

KK being silly

After the hay ride we enjoyed a nice bbq lunch and headed home.  We had to nap KK and get her rested for her party that night!  The girls were ready to go!  This picture says it all.

 

School Halloween Party

KK's school Halloween Party was on the Friday before Halloween. Anyone that knows me knows I love Halloween and also knows that I love costumes! Ty and I used to do couples costumes but now we do family ones. The first year we did Popeye, Olive Oyl and Swee'Pea. Last year we did the Flinstones and this year we decided to be Dora, Diego and Boots. My mom always made my costumes when I was a kid, so I insist on making KK's. Usually I take pieces of her wardrobe and vamp them up into a costume. This year, I had to actually sew...by hand. I think the costume turned out pretty good though.

Kaylynn had zero interest in putting her costume on for school so I did what any desperate mom would do. I bribed her. With M&Ms. Eventually she obliged and posed for pictures.

Before M&Ms

After M&Ms

When we got to school I took some pictures of her class and headed to work. I was sad to miss the costume parade but am glad I got these pictures.

The girls

Now I have to come up with yet another family costume idea for next year. Time to start thinking!

Oak Creek Canyon Camping Expedition

I've been wanting to take KK up north ever since she was born but we just haven't had a free weekend to do so.  After summer came and went, I made it a point to block off one weekend this fall and go up north.  No ifs, ands or buts.  I had to turn down several commitments but it was well worth it.  We headed up to Oak Creek Canyon in Sedona on Friday after work and came back Sunday.  We didn't have reservations so we were just hoping we'd find a site.  Sure enough we did.  We had to set up camp in the dark but we did just fine.

KK danced around the campsite while we set up the tent.

We woke up the next morning and KK enjoyed "white ones" (powder sugar donut holes) while watching some morning cartoons.  (Yes...we brought the iPad...but we slept on the ground without an air mattress so I think those cancel each other out on "roughing it").

After breakfast we went for a hike by the stream and got some great pictures.

After nap we went for another hike and enjoyed the pretty scenery.

This was our view from the tent!

That night we made smores over the campfire.  Kaylynn had a few bites but wasn't that interested.  She was getting frustrated with the sticky marshmallow.

Sunday morning we packed up and headed back to town.  The weather got down to 31 at night so it was quite chilly but we survived.  I think KK might have gotten a slight cold but she seems to be getting better.

I'm so thankful to live so close to such beauty. We really need to visit more often.  It's only a 2 hour drive!  Plus it was nice having time away from the hustle and bustle of Phoenix with my main squeeze.  I love my family!

Bye Bye Gabbi

Gabbi, our sitter, and KK's old teacher is moving to Texas.  We are SO sad to see her go.  She was KK's first teacher so she'll always hold a special place in my heart as well as KK's.  We decided to try to see her one more time before she moved so we met up with her and another friend from KK's class (Ella) at Jambo Park.

The girls had a blast riding on rides together, playing mini golf, playing on the jungle gym and spending time with Gabbi.

KK and Ella - Partners in Crime!

 You will be missed Miss Gabbi!

Of course Kaylynn HAD to have a churro.  

Check out Ella's Sweet Jump

The Armstrongs also met up with us for a little bit with their newest addition Isabella.  

We are very sad to see Gabbi go.  Now we have to find a new sitter...not sure anyone will compare to Miss Gabbi.  Good Luck in Texas!