Our typical Wednesday

Shopping with Elise today! We went to story time and then had to run a few errands. At bath and body works she wanted to smell everything I picked and then carry her own bag out. The day was GORGEOUS outside for walking around the streets of Indian lakes so with bag in hand she walked into more stores and was so good about looking at things and then putting them back. It was a perfect little outing with my sweet Elise. I love getting one on one time with my girls. 

Story time with our favorite Ms Kim (right in front of Elise). 

Elise with her book. If we go to the library she expects it to be story time, play on the computers, and then pick out a book or two. Story time is the highlight of her week. This morning when I told her we had story time today she squealed (no understatement) with excitement. Her personality comes out more and more each day and we just can't get enough!

Halloween 2015

I have never made a big effort to dress up for Halloween but hopefully next year I will finally be able to get something together for me in time to fulfill Bailee's annual request for me to participate :) This is Bailee's 5th Halloween and Elise's 2nd. I want to document Bailee's experience so far because she has always loved the holiday. Her first year at 3 months as a pea in a pod she didn't have much to say, obviously. The next year she was a bumblebee and we lived in Sacramento. We took her to the church trunk or treat and were not planning on taking her trick or treating. The weather was great and we found a neighborhood that was very active on Halloween night so we decided to take her to a couple of houses for fun. We figured she could walk, say her version of trick or treat and thank you so why not! Well we took her to a few and she loved it and kept going. She didn't let us hold her pumpkin even at the end when it was heavy and full. We were amazed at how excited she was at just 16 months to walk from house to house and get candy. The next year we asked her what she wanted to be and Minnie was the decision. I couldn't find a costume that had red for Minnie so I made her costume myself which started a tradition of sorts, although I don't know if it will always be the case :) For now I enjoy making them though. After that Halloween she was already giving us ideas for the next year to all dress up. The following year came and for months Bailee talked about dressing up as Rapunzel and Elise could be Pascal the chameleon. She also wanted Dave to be Flynn Ryder and who does that leave?.. The villain... Mother Gothel. Dave ended up having to work so just the girls dressed up but Bailee was ok with it all.

This year came and Bailee was still wanting the family theme :) She decided Ariel, Elise would once again be the sidekick, Flounder, Dave would be Eric so mommy would be... Ursula! haha. We went on vacation for a week and life was busy so I didn't make a costume for myself but Dave dressed up for Bailee this year. She was thrilled! It lit up her face and she referred to him as Eric for a few days. When he would come near me for a hug or kiss she would say "stay away from Ursula Eric! She will put a spell on you!" She also requested to be called Ariel and would only answer to the name. She loves dressing up each year and is already planning next year. I told her that Elise might want to be the princess one year so for now the plan is that Bailee will be the tiger and Elise can be Jasmine. Dave would be Aladdin and who does that leave... oh right.. the Genie for mom :)

 

 We went to "Boo at the Zoo" last weekend and had a blast! It was fun to stop and see animals in between trick or treating stations and the kangaroo was definitely a favorite!

Corn pits are a favorite!

Bailee asked for a picture posing on the bear! It's nice to have a child that I rarely have to convince to take a picture :)

Hayride!

 The coolest carousel ride I have ever been on! They turned the lights off a different parts and played "This is halloween" through our turn. Dave and I got to ride as well so for a few minutes we got to be kids with our girls and it was so fun :)

Baking Halloween cookies

Bailee's preschool class

Bailee's preschool class went trick or treating around the office buildings of their school and I helped pass out treats. Afterward they asked us parents if we wanted to go in the classroom since they were having snack. I am so glad I did! The smile on Bailee's face when I walked in to have snack with her made my mama heart so happy! Since day one of preschool I have had to ask for a kiss and hug because she loves to be there and is always anxious to get into class. Today she wanted to hold onto me and have me stay to play. I am blessed to be a mama and to have a husband who provides for our family so that I don't miss moments like today. Dave is off on Fridays so Elise was able to be home with him so I could go and enjoy Bailee. It has been a great week of Halloween activities and it isn't even the actual holiday yet! As I have gotten older fall has become more of my favorite time of the year, especially living where the leaves change in beautiful colors!

I accidentally deleted all of my notes from my phone which had journaling since September of 2014 :( I was only able to recover a little bit of it so now I am worried any notes I make will disappear even though I now have it synced to iCloud. I figure I may as well pick up posting on my blog so I know it will be there when I need it! 

I guess Elise's bed just wasn't going to work for a nap today :) I went in the room just to put some clothes away and found her here. 

Advent calendar

I am not a crafty blogger but I do love creating new things whether it is a craft, sewing, or a new recipe to try. Many times I get my inspiration from Pinterest postings and try to put my own little touch of creativity to each project. 

When we were first married Dave liked the idea of getting the throw away advent calendars with chocolate pieces in them. I was not the biggest fan of the chocolate and since then I have been on the hunt for an advent I love because I love the idea of a scripture and treat each day in December! In the stores there are many with tiny little boxes that cost way more than I am willing to spend. I have searched Pinterest to find a style I like and with the help of one who used baby food jars I was able to create my own! I am so happy with the final result and I can fit our daily scripture and a treat for every member of the family in each jar :) 

As part of enjoying the journey of life, creating new things brings such a sense of accomplishment that can not be replaced by a quick purchase at the store!

Rock Island camping

We were truly put to the test back in October when we went camping for two nights at Rock Island State Park. I had seen in the forecast that there would be rain but we still hoped that it would change as is typical for weather in this area. When we arrived it was barely drizzling but in the time of putting up our tent it began to pour. It poured all night long. We ended up eating our next days lunch for dinner because we could have a fire and the camp stove wouldn't stay lit. 

Luckily our next day was beautiful! We were able to hike to (and through) beautiful waterfalls and enjoy the peace of the outdoors. We hope to go back when it is warmer next year to also enjoy some swimming and possibly stay longer because it is a great area to be. I have posted collages of our trip below. The picture of "rapunzels castle" (as Bailee called it) was used as a water pump to a cotton mill across the street that was no longer used once a flood happened in the early 1900's. There was a lot more history through the years of floods wiping out efforts of production and times of success in the area as well. 

That night we had trouble with our fire again and through Dave's determination, we were able to enjoy a fire late in the night. We even woke Bailee up again because she had been so sad that she couldn't see the fire, but she ended up sleeping on Dave's lap anyway and still missed it.

Overall the girls loved being outside and having fun getting dirty! 

Baby profile

We just can't get enough of her little side profile! She has food in her mouth but I couldn't resist documenting her cute little face :)

Rapunzel and Pascal

Bailee has been talking about Halloween and her costume since August. She decided to be Rapunzel and decided that Elise must be Pascal as her little sidekick. Then she realized she needs a Flynn Rider so of course daddy must fill that role. Once she had that figured out what was mommy going to be? She then decided I should be the horse :) I decided to stick to the role of "Creator of costumes" :) about mid-September she changed her mind about six or seven times but by then I had already bought the fabric so it was a done deal and I was convinced I would start the project any day at that point. Well that bag of fabric sat in my closet until October and with Bailee asked DAILY when she could try on her costume so I decided to get my act together and get going. Well I whipped it out in less than a week and I am so exited for her to wear it out for Halloween festivities! Our ward activity is this Saturday so I had a bit of a crunch time to get these done. To make her dress I followed a tutorial by http://www.makeit-loveit.com and made it my own.  I love that I don't have to buy patterns and I can use clothes the girls have to make up my own. It makes for more of a challenge and I personally have found it easier than figuring out pattern paper. My projects may come out a little straighter if I used a pattern but so far everything has turned out ok so I'll just keep to my little system of making my own :)