How could I skip Halloween?

Before the big day we made sure to get our pumpkins carved. The kids had fun and Hailee really liked the goop. Carter didn't really like the stuff at all!

I am sure you can't tell at all, but we had a Little Cowboy and Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) for Halloween. They both loved their costumes and looked adorable! Carter's mustache was a pretty big hit. I cut out some felt and then hot glued it to his pacifier. It didn't bug him a bit. The hat on the other hand was not his favorite accessory. He kept it on while we snaked around the school carnival, but I am thinking he was too tired or sick to even notice it. He was awake the entire time we were there, just taking in all the crazy looking kids!

Hailee looked lovely in her Aurora costume we got for $4. It was a perfect fit and even came with a comfy crown. She was a pretty good little trooper and had a blast at the carnival. She did a pretty good job and even won a cupcake in the Cake Walk.

On Friday we were so excited to have our cousins Nic, Trudy, and Ruger come celebrate Halloween with us. They came to School Carnival and played lots of games with us! Nic was dressed as the Green Lantern and Trudy was her favorite character, Strawberry Shortcake, Ruger was a little pumpkin. I am pretty bummed, we didn't even get a group shot of the kids!

On Saturday I invited Curt's family up to make pizzas and just visit a bit. It was a great time and everyone made their own tastey pizza exactly how they wanted. I am pretty excited about this pizza dough recipe I found because it is really easy and works great! It would have been better if Curt had made it home for the pizza but he came in later and was able to spend Sunday with us!

On Halloween Night we did the usual local activities. We went to the Trunk or Treat, which was a lot of fun for Hailee. Carter hung out in the car with Grandpa Layne because it was a bit too cold. She got a lot of candy and we could have been done right there, but I let her go to a couple of houses while Carter hung out with Grandpa Layne.

The favorite part of the night??? Well handing out candy of course! She loved to open the door and give those kids oodles of goodies!

Photos.

This firery chic is on her way out to WORK with her dad! She is all prepped with her glasses from Cal Ranch, her pink Jaguar water bottle from G-ma Lori, some Dora Fruit snacks and a cheese stick (just in case). I can't get enough of this!
Here she is sporting the perfect dance attire complete with Woody doll accessory, and pink work boots.

This is a candid of little Carter. I was putting laundry away only to loose my poor little boy. I seriously couldn't find him anywhere and I was looking. He wasn't in his usual hideouts aka: the bathroom, the office, the entry way, or the backroom. NO he had chased his ball behind the couch. He wasn't upset about it at all. In fact, he was a little upset that I dragged him out.

Oh my. He has officially entered the "I won't hold still for a picture" stage. I am not quite sure when they get out of this stage because I am not sure Hailee is even there yet. Anyways. this is our little man in one of his cool- look like daddy shirts. It really isn't hard to get Carter to look like his dad. It is just part of the reason he is so darn cute!

Here is Miss Hailee ready for Preschool DAY 3. She again has her Woody (he is usually attached).

Yes, we went to our Homecoming Parade and YES it was pretty icky weather as is most years. Hailee wasn't going to miss out and she stood out in her rain coat and boots. Me, well I was in the warm dry car making sure Carter was still sleeping. (I'm a big bad mom, I know.) She did get the support of our football team. They felt bad for her, since she was so little and standing all by herself in the rain, and gave her a big PAW. She was pretty excited and now uses it as a cushion for her carseat. Such an inventive little girl.

I thought I would share a super sexy picture of my legs. Yeah, I've been working out a ton and using a bunch of those miracles pills and some you can't believe it drinks. It is just driving me nuts because it all bounces back the second I step out the door. Not really. I know you were all believing every word too. No this is just one of 67, yes I said 67 pictures I don't remember taking with my camera. I really aught to keep better eyes on my daughter, I know.

These are some fun dance pictures of my cute little mini me. She really does remind me of me more and more every day. I am trying with all my might to rid her of all my bad habits before she too hates them. She is super adorable and I really love watching her learn new things and make so many memories.

Every farm kid needs these memories.

Tiny little Ruger and then our Carter dude. They will be such good buddies. It is so important to me that my kids get to know and enjoy their cousins. I have many many memories with my cousins and I am so glad my parents made that effort for me and my siblings.

Carter decided to step up and support us ladies at our tea party. He was such a good sport and even dressed up for the occasion. What a sweetheart! He is with my mom who is a gorgeous gal. She is such a great grandma and my kids are so lucky to enjoy her. We went to the tea party with my mom and grandma. I had a lot of fun and love creating moments like that to remember forever! I wish we lived closer so these kinds of moments could happen more frequently.

Hailee and Trudy. These two are so silly when they are together. They aren't at the point where they fully play together, but it is almost there. This couch was a big hit with both of them. I wish we could bottle up their energy and innocence forever!

And yes, this is our super cute little nephew, Ruger. He is going to be such a fun kid! We can't wait to hold him again soon!!

Carter and his tractors. A tractor such as the one he played with at Aunt Christina's is definately on his Christmas Wish List. He spent most of his time walking this thing around. He is such a stud muffin.

He is just so darn cute!

Oh and Hailee and my mom enjoying their "tea"--(Hailee was drinking apple juice).

So many memories and such little time. I need to go get that firecracker from the first picture. I'm sure she is ready for dinner and a good bath.

What have we been up to?

This last month has been so busy and exciting for us. We have spent some time visiting family (where we were able to meet our newest little cousin), going to preschool and dance classes, going through the barfers and the sneezes, jumping all into harvest, and discovering the wonderful world of pinterest, and many more fun and exciting things.

Curt went back to working afar sometime in early August. The kids and I were really enjoying our time with him and then it was adios again! Luckily he wasn't too far and was still able to come home for church and a little family time.

We were busy galanting around Idaho while Curt was working. His sister, Christina, had her little boy Ruger and we were anxious to cuddle him and help her out. It was a great visit and Hailee played a lot with Nic and Trudy. Ruger had a tough go for a while and so I was glad to be there for their little family.
While we were visiting Christina's family, Curt got transfered to the Twin Falls area and so we were able to actually stay with him at night in his provided motel room. He worked really late and left before the kids were awake, but it was really nice to be close to him. I think he really like it too, even if the kids didn't sleep very well AT ALL!
Once things with Ruger calmed down and he was home and healthy, we came back to check on the farm and do some of our routine things.
Hailee started a little at-home preschool with some children in our area. I thought it would be perfect transition into a more structured school experience; and I love that I get a little teaching time in here and there! The first one was at our house on Sept 7th and it was "A" Day. I was pretty excited and probably too optimistic about the outcome with 9 children. Another mom offered to stay and I was so accepting of her help! We read several books, played some games, sang "The Ants Go Marching," made apple trees with our hands and some painted noodles, and ate Apple Sandwhiches. It was a fun day and Hailee has since gone to two other classes. She LOVES going and seeing her friends. I am hoping that it becomes easier the more the kids (and moms) get used to it.
---Side note. A couple days before our preschool and the day after we got back from Twin, my house flooded from a malfunction in the ice maker. BIG clean up job and LOTS of stress. Thank goodness for my stable-minded and resourceful sister-in-law Cathy!!!

Hailee also started her first dance class after her first day of preschool. She has so much fun at dance. She loves getting ready and doing all the fun leaps, stretches, and twirls.....BUT mostly she loves seeing so many "friends." It is getting better, but I am constantly reminding her to give people their space, to take turns, and listen to her teacher. She tries her little heart out, but she honestly just LOVES kids. It is oh so sweet and difficult at the same time. Progress is in the works.

Well...after her first dance class we headed out to BOISE to visit my mother. I wanted to drive most of the way while my kids slept, and it ended up a good strategy. It was a long drive and the hardest part was when Hailee fell asleep, but Carter was still awake and hungry. She is ussually my big helper in the car and can feed or entertain him. It is something to remember to improve my traveling strategy....

Boise was fast and fun as always. My mom was back to school and busy so we mostly played on the weekend. We were able to visit her new school and meet her students. She has a rediculous amount of students and works much too hard, but I am proud of her! We had a good visit with my grandma, who had not seen Carter yet. I'm sure she was pretty impressed by my busy boy. We went to a lovely little Tea Party House for brunch. It was so fun to see Hailee because she enjoys pretend tea parties so much and this was her first real one!

After the shower we went to my cousin Ciara's baby shower. She is having her little guy Camden any day now. It was a lot of fun to visit with my cousins, aunts, and everyone. It was a long day by the time we made it back to my mom's.

We visited for a couple more days and got some great shopping deals, thn th kids and I headed back to SE just in time for story hour @ the library.

Since Boise I have still been super busy at home. I am substituting a little at the school and watching my friends boy while she subs. I cannot express how glad I am to be home this year. It is such a joy every day to be with my kids and to do the things I feel I should do. I love that we can go help others as they need it and that my kids can participate in activities with their peers. I especially love that I can provide stability for my family. I like knowing that we can go be with Curt if we need to and that when we are sick, we can just be home, and that I can spend a day in my pajamas cleaning and organizing. I am glad to be able to sub here and there, and it is great that I have a good friend to help with my kids.

Curt has been home for a few days now to get our own crops in for harvest. It is my FAVORITE thing ever for him to be home and for me to take him meals, run errands, play with kids, take care of the home. Whatever. I love being homemaker with him home:) I love that Hailee slips on her boots when she hears him or grandpa driving up. She goes with them sometimes for 15 minutes and other times 4 or 5 hours. I just love it. I love experiencing the energy that harvest brings---the anticipation of getting good yeilds and the long hard hours it takes to get everything done. I love riding with Curt and watching him do something that he loves. I am OH SO VERY PROUD of my husband for his dedication to what he does. He doesn't have an easy go about anything, but he never gives up. We are still harvesting and I am very grateful for our good weather this fall. I am hoping it holds out so that we can get everything in!

Carter. This little boy is growing by leaps and bounds. He is crawling, climbing, and walking everywhere he can get his little hands to. He crawls until he can climb up and then he walks along until he must get down to crawl again. He doesn't stop unless it is to eat. He now feeds himself and is starting to not let me do the feeding. He went through an anti-nursing period, where he was just too busy to nurse. We are getting back on track with that now that we are home more. He jabbers all the time. Mostly daddadadada, and mammamama only when he is tired or hungry. He LOVES his big sister and waites very patiantly for her to wake up in the morning to play with him. His eyes open big and he starts jabbering the moment she walks into his sight. He likes to growl and say GHEEEEEE alot. He has discovered the amazement with his hands and spends a lot of time watching them move. He is a pretty reliable alarm clock. He wakes up at 4:30 to eat and then for good about 6:30 or 7. NO MATTER when he went to bed. He searches out the vacume and chases me down when I am using it. He is very attached to mama and doesn't like her to hold other babies or leave the room. He loves playing with all kinds of balls and tractors. That is all. He is oh so cuddly and sweet. He is definately loud and has a temper. We love him SOOOO much!

YAHOOOO!!!!!

Two weeks ago I randomly decided to try a binki again. I was doubtful, but.....IT WORKED!!
Carter now carries his binki everywhere with him (it's attached.) He isn't as hooked as Hailee, but it works. He has definately been happier, and so has everyone else!

No Rhyme but plenty of Reason.

Although there is no logical order to this post, there is plenty of fun in it! I only wish I could have these moments all the time, but I guess if we did it wouldn't be special anymore.

The other day it was so nice and warm. My friend Heather and I planned to go to lunch at the park and swimming after. Well the pool was closed, so our next best solution was her pool in the yard. I think it was a great idea because the babies could just hang out and chill, while Hailee and Berick played in the water. These two little buddies have been friends forever and it is always fun for yhem to play.
We went to check cows on Conant Creek the other day with Curt and Grandpa Roy. Carter and I rode with Curt and Hailee went with grandpa. They had all sorts of conversations and Hailee loved going through the water on the 4-wheeler. When we got back to the truck, Grandpa supplied everyone with a drink and some candy. He carries m&m's around just for Hailee because they are her favorite!

It was a great night and a beautiful area. The next morning Curt headed out to start cutting grain. Goodbye summer eh?

While we had our visitors we were able to meet Aunt Cathy's new kitty, Amelia. She is pretty cute, and really nice to hold. Hailee is finally to a stage where she doesn't suffocate the poor things. Trudy...not so much yet:) Carter didn't really care one way or the other for the cat.

Carter got to play with some magazines, and it was a blast! He loved ripping all the pages out and crumpling them up. The only danger in this new found hobby is that he wants to do it to all reading materials. He is also up and moving these days. He pulls himself up when he can, and has earned himself some battle wounds. He also scoots around the room as best he can. He is so busy and I think that is why he is so hungry. Everyone who sees little Carter is amazed at how much he LOVES food.

These two girls had a ton of fun playing together. They are slowly entering into the playfull stage. There were plenty of mine arguements, but it is coming along. I am glad Hailee will have a little buddy TO PLAY PRINCESS .

Uncle Curtis taking the girls on a ride. These two are pretty lucky to be entertained so often with rides. Nic was really great at taking them out too.

For fun in the sun we pulled out the old reliable slip-n-slide-tarp. The whole day could be spent playing in the water and the mud that goes with it.

Curt stopped in for lunch and took advantage of some blanket time with Carter. These two will one day be inseperable, but for now they play inbetween work, feedings, and nap time.

Check these girls out! They rocked their pint-sized chairs all weekend.

Trudy is packed with personality. She kept her parents on their toes the entire time. She loves water and would drink it out of anything (the pool, your cup, the hose, whatever!). She is also in a dumping stage. We got a kick out of her taking Grandpa's water and having him poor water in her cup, the dumping it out, then getting more.... it was funny.

While Curt went to a combine training, we tagged-along and went to the zoo. It was NOT my favorite place, but it had a cute baby bear and some active coyotes. There was a big old tree house playground and a bobcat, a baby elk, and A TON of HILLS. That was the extent of the zoo. I was pretty tired after pushing up the hills and holding on for dear life down them. Carter wasn't too happy either and I didn't have my carrier, so I held him a lot. It was tiring and I was more than ready to get back to Curt.

----- 24th of July -----

We had a great time like always on the 24th. The kids and I went to the parade and Hill picnic with my dad and Lorelie. Roni and AJ met us there. Hailee got some milk and candy with grandpa's help. Carter just played with Roni and Lorelie. The picnic was delicious and entertaining. It was a good visit even if it was short.

Life on the farm is booming. The horses keep everyone plenty busy and don't even mention the 8 geese to Curt. The can definately be pains. Curt has been busy putting up hay and watering the grain.

Hailee outgrew her old boots so she has been sporting her new pink ones...yes, the last two pairs were also pink. She has spent a lot of time this year outside working. She'll tell you she is a working girl. Her pretend play is often farm related.....checking moisture.... fixing fence....driving tractors...grooming horses.

I told you there was plenty of reasons to blog!

Good Times

My mom and Jack had a get-together with everyone a week ago. It was fun to see everyone and watch the kids play. Jack's mom Elaine is visiting from back East and it is a joy to get to know her. This is everyone. We almost took the picture, when I realized someone was missing. Hailee was off in the dirt playing. We had to drag her over for the picture, but it is good to have one of everyone. Good times.

My mom has been staying in Ashton the past few summers. It is really nice to have that extra time with her. I think my mom is amazing! She is talented and loving. She does so much for me and my little family that I too often overlook.

This summer has been so much fun. My mom has been able to share in Hailee's gymnastics, which was a big deal for both of us. My mom did gym and she taught me. My mom also helped a lot with the kids. She is great to give me advice and I would be better off if I listed to more of it. She is heading back to her home and work this week and I am going to miss having her around. I can't wait to go visit her soon. Moms are just special.

Summer Fun

The second weekend in July was spent hanging out in the backwoods, basically in my backyard! Not really, but about 10-15 minutes away. We were enjoying the wilderness with a few of my Armstrong Clan. My Dad and Lorelie arranged for a great weekend. We ate yummy food ( my favorite is always breakfast!---Grandpa Armstrong makes the BEST campfire pancakes!) went on a few four-wheeler rides, and chatted around the campire.
Carter had fun, but he had a hard time seeing us eat all that yummo food. He did get to eat a pancake a day! Such a lucky kid!

One of my favorite parts to camping is waking up in the tent. It is that sudden warmth combined with the smells of dirt, trees, and bacon that drags you out of the sleeping bag. Lucky for me I haven't yet reached the "you're in charge of breakfast" stage! I also love this stage because it takes over that biting chill you feel right as the sun is coming up. That chill really bites at you and my kids didn't know how to handle that. Hailee would wake up as soon as the morning dew hit and want to climb in with us. It just so happens that Carter also wakes up at about 5 for a feeding. Our airmattress is not so comfy with four. Something to think about for our next camp out!

Curt missed out on a lot of the fun because he had work on the farm, but he was able to come up at night and then he would leave after breakfast. My dad picked the location perfectly for Curt to be able to participate in some of the fun!

My cousins were camping with us and they have kids of their own. Isabel was a great friend to Hailee and invited her to sleepover both nights. The first night I caved and the second night Hailee caved. We are getting there!

Little Eli was also so friendly and sharing with Hailee. He had some cool bikes that they could ride together around the trees. So much fun!

Curt is such a great dad. He has been in and out all summer long. We love being here to welcome him with a smile, a soda, and sometimes a snack! He is good to grab each of the kids and love up on them even if he is tired. He gets the biggest grins out of Carter when he growls into his cheeks. Carter still hasn't given us a good ol' belly laugh, but I am sure it is coming. He starts to chuckle but that is about where it stops. Soon....I can just feel it!

Hailee Girl has started her first year of "On-your-own" swimming lessons. It was a fun experience for her. Her friend Leah took the classes with her. They were always budding-up and having to get reigned back into the herd. There were a couple of really cold days where you just can't get much out of 3 and 4 year olds. Then there were a couple of really fun days when the kids did really well.

Things she learned. She puts her whole head under and blows bubbles. She can monster arm all the way around the pool. She does some pretty big kicks. She likes to glide around blowing her bubbles and maybe adds some monster arms or some kicks. She can sort of float on her belly and even better on her back. She still has NO fear of the water.

Carter's best little buddy. Hailee was gracious enough to allow Carter to play with one of her toys a few weeks back. She chose this silly little lion that one of my previous students gave me for Valentines Day. I am not sure what it is about this one but Carter loves to love, slobber, and chew on this dinky thing.

Speaking of Carter Man. He is getting SO BIG!! I can't believe he is 5 1/2 months already! I remember being pregnant with him a year ago. I remember taking care of Hailee 3 years ago. I can't believe it has gone so fast.

Anyway. He wants to crawl really bad. He moves quick from his bottom to his belly just so he can start his pushups. He is trying to be the youngest enlisted Marine or something. This kid goes crazy trying all sorts of positions to help him move. His new favorite is the "star- pushup". He stretches everything out and up he goes, until he decides to attempt a move...then he falls down. I know it won't be long until he is everywhere.

That is all. And don't be dissappointed. We have been really buisy. Between gymnastics, swimming, family fun, farm things, and life we are pretty tired at the end of the day!