Happy Halloween!

We are so excited for Halloween this year. We've had parties all week for the girls and tonight is the big night in our neighborhood. I'm not sure what will take place. Our neighborhood is really into Halloween. The decorations went up starting October 1st!

We've definitely had fun preparing around the house. Here are some of my favorite -- and scariest -- things for Halloween 2008.

Louisa's Halloween dress. It's a vintage Halloween print that's soooo cute. Hopefully we'll get another year or two out of it.

She loves to peek over the edge of the deck to see the gulk (water). Okay - that's a little scary.

The "bat" room.

Avery's Halloween bedtime buddies were perched along the top bunk this morning. She's got Sammy the Bat (thanks Grandma Evie!), two black cats and a puppy (not sure how he fits with the theme).

No one told me how big the bugs are in the south! 

This one gives me the creeps every time I pull in the driveway. ick.

Ok - these are just scary cute. I got this craft idea for monogram pumpkins from another blog. I'll ask her if I can post the link.

Avery has switched gears to "scary" instead of princess-y this year. She can't wait until tonight!

And the scariest thing of all....

My ironing pile! Eeeeeek! Maybe the ironing gobblins will come and take care of it tonight. Here's to hoping! Happy Halloween!

Wordless Wednesday

And the winner is ...

The birthday boy! Chrisie gave him a close run for the money, though. She got the Star Trek question correct, but Team Greg got both of the the bonus questions (as you should have). So the Mountain Dew t-shirt is on its way to AZ. Congrats and thanks for playing!

Happy Birthday, Greg!

We're sending out big birthday wishes this week to my brother Greg, who turns 50! Happy Birthday!!!  For those of you who may not know my brother, he's got a photographic memory and is somewhat of a walking encyclopedia. So to commemorate this momentous occasion, we've put together "Greg's Big Birthday Trivia" for everyone to play.  Submit your answers in the "comments" section of the blog. The first person to get all the answers correct will win this:

Question #1:

The birthday song you are currently hearing is from what movie?

Question #2:

Eric Clapton wrote the song "Layla" for Patti Boyd. At that time, who was Patti's husband?

Question #3:

What do Mike "Fluff" Cowan and Steve Williams have in common?

Question #4:

Which golf course played host to the 1996 and the 2000 PGA Championships?

Question #5:

In the original Star Trek series, what was Lt. Commander Scott's (otherwise known as "Scotty") first name?

Question #6:

Name 'em:

Question #7:

Which state claims the bola tie as its official state neckwear?

Question #8:

What is hidden behind the walls of the Matterhorn in Disneyland?

Bonus Questions

The best way to chill canned pineapple is to _______________.

Finish this conversation: 

"Hey, Greg!"

"What?"

"___________ !"

C'mon and play! Submit your answers by Saturday night. I'll announce the winner next week. 

Happy, Happy Birthday, Greg!

Monkeying Around

We took the girls to a night out at Monkey Joe's for some energy-burning fun. Yes, another activity involving inflatable bouncers. We really need to find something new to do. Of course, the girls had a ball and slept in late the next morning. How's that for a win-win?

Louisa was absolutely fearless and kept up with the big kids. A group of dads at the giant slide couldn't get over her bravery and got some good chuckles watching her fly down the slide without hesitation. That's our girl!

Avery was just a blur from the get-go. We couldn't keep up with her! In her typical fashion, she made a friend within 60 seconds and the two girls played together for the duration.  No doubt, she's a social butterfly.

happy happy happy happy

These two are much, much faster than my camera

Fearless Lulu

Louisa sizes up the horse and decides that a ride is worth the risk

Good horse!

Avery and her new pal. It was her birthday!

Thelma and Louise

Avery mid-jump. Doesn't she look like her cousin Lauren in this picture?

Charlie gets in on the fun (we all knew he couldn't resist)

And they're off!

Guess who got a wedgie?

Next stop -  a much deserved break in the massage chair

See you next time, Monkey Joe!

Extreme Makeover - Crib Edition

Avery is such a good big sister to Louisa. When Louisa wakes from her nap, Avery loves to be the one to go and get her out of the crib. She's even been known to change a diaper! Can I get an "Amen!"? 

The other day, we heard Louisa wake from her nap and Avery said, "No, no mom - I'll get her!" Not wanting to stand in the way of sisterly love, I stayed put. After five suspiciously quiet minutes, I went to investigate. 

Don't look!

The jig is up!

Hey - how'd you get in here?

(notice how louisa wears her blocks as bracelets)

Louisa folds like a chair and rats out her sister...

then moves on to enjoy the new lounge area of her crib.

Hee hee. Just wait 'til you see what I did to your room, Mom.