Halloween Night

Ambria dressed as a storybook princess and Mariah was a ballerina/princess/something that she made up. Mariah was going to be a fairy a few days ago, and then earlier today she was going to be a tooth fairy, and then 15 minutes before we left, she decided on a ballerina with a crown. I was a flower.

Carving Pumpkins

Mariah: "Ewwww!"

Ambria isn't too sure about this whole pumpkin carving thing.

Mariah: "GROSS!"


Ambria admiring the finished product.

Mariah broke off the point to the "M" for University of Michigan, but oh well.

Halloween Bath

We were a little bored tonight so I thought of making a Halloween bath for the girls. I put up pumpkin lights, put plastic bugs, spiders, and snakes in the bath, along with plastic pumpkins. Turn out the lights, and it was ready to go!

We are all out of the crayola bath tints (they make the water different colors) which would have been super cool to make orange water for the occasion. I also didn't have any Halloween music which would have been fun too. Either way, the girls loved it and I was the coolest mom ever!

We will finish the night off with some Halloween tv specials, carve pumpkins tomorrow, and then we will be all ready to go out tomorrow night.

Pronunciation Issues

Ambria has a little trouble saying french fries and lets the "f" word slip out and then a word at the end of the video as well. She makes us laugh.

Nothing Like Hugging a Random Flamingo

Ambria and I were walking downtown when she spotted some plastic flamingos (someone was having a party) so she felt the sudden urge to hug all seven flamingos on the side of the road. She tried to ride them, hug them, kiss them, pet them, she wanted me to take pictures of her, and then she said "goodbye triangles!" (she has some difficulty pronouncing flamingo--too cute).

Down by the Creek

One thing that Mariah wanted to do with Grandpa last week was to take him to the creek. It was such a beautiful day and the pictures don't quite capture the beauty by the creek.

I Know You are Surprised (or aren't surprised, or are a little surprised, or are just excited)

Facebook here I come!
Yada yada
Blah, blah
Please refrain from jumping up and down or shouting for joy as you limit your emotions when you find out this information about me and Facebook.

I know you are happy.

So Proud of My Brother, the Ironman

My brother qualified in August for the Ironman World Championships that took place in Hawaii last week. This is like the Wimbledon of tennis, the World Series of baseball, and the Ironman is for triathlons. It is 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and finish it off with running a marathon, 26 miles. The best of the best triathletes come from all over the world to compete in this grueling race, and my brother was one of them! It was 95 degrees and sunny, and to think of having to race for over 10 hours!! Way to go, Corey!

Where is Grandpa?

The girls waited patiently for Grandpa to arrive today. They were more than excited to have our first out-of-town visitor.

More Sisterly Love

We stumbled upon this scene last night before going to bed...I am not sure which one of them didn't want to sleep alone...

Mountain Sunset

9:17am

Ambria went and got her chair and decided to sit by the window and wait for Mariah's bus to bring her home from school.

Our Walk To the Mailbox Turned into an Adventure

Ambria put on her new boots and we walked across the street to the mailbox in the quiet of the morning. On our way back to the house, we heard the cows mooing so we thought we would go take a look. We took a small hike through green field, fresh with morning dew, to the neighbor's fence. The four cows were in the middle of the field grazing or having "lunch" as Ambria likes to say. Then we heard the horses galloping. Four horses galloped right past us, 15 feet away, and me and Ambria were loving the moment. Then the cows thought they would take a closer look at us and the purple boots on Ambria's feet (she likes to wear Mariah's boots). They came right up to the fence and Ambria got a little scared, "mom, hold you, hold you." I had my cell phone in my pocket so I took a picture of the cows.
I know this doesn't seem like anything too exciting, but it is just so different having this in our backyard. I am sure Ambria will tell Mariah all about it when she gets home from school.

We Need Us Some Boots for Country Livin'

Who knew Crocs made boots?! How cute and how perfect for the girls to romp and play in the fields and mud and nearby creek.

Little House on the Prairie

We have the best of both worlds, we have the country peace and quiet at the house but then five minutes away is a small college town, ten minutes away is a little bit bigger town, and twenty minutes away is the city. Perfect.

A View from Our Road

Grateful

It is no secret that this past year and a half or so hasn't been the best year for our family, we were in the valley, God was testing us, we were sometimes full of doubt, anger, and grief, and it was difficult not to question God and His will.

Hindsight now, we needed a huge kick in the pants and something drastic to happen for us to move away from our comfort zone. How ironic that God directed us to a place full of mountains and majestic beauty!

Thank you so much to all of our family and friends for the love, support, prayers, and encouragement during this journey as we learn how to stand... and walk... again. We are blessed to have you in our lives and we are excited to share the next chapter of our life with you.

I love you Jerry, I love you Mariah, I love you Ambria!

They Grow 'Em Big Here