Happy Halloween 2011

The only picture I was able to get with Gavin in a full costume...
A few seconds later...
And a few seconds after that he makes his run for it!
Eris tried to change his mind by getting in his Buzz Lightyear costume.
So did Shayla. But to no avail!
Shayla changed her mind about her costume too. She didn't want to be Belle anymore, but she was sure a cute little clown. Remind me why I spent money on costumes this year?
Eris sure did turn some heads as the original "Headless Wonder".
Shayla showing off her stuff. She even made it to the top, clown hat and all.
Eris made it to the top too, size 34 pants and all!
Gavin refused to wear a costume to the party but had fun stuffing himself with cotton candy.
My cute little kiddos!
Halloween at the mall
The final product! Gavin finally agreed to wear a Home Depot apron trick or treating and he loved every minute. When we went around the neighborhood, he rode his little blue bike around but when people asked what he was, he'd just say "I'm Gavin." He's the only 2-year-old I know that didn't want to dress up for Halloween but he had fun anyway! :)

Kids Fall Vacation

Some of the many adventures the kids had while visiting grandparents!

What's More Fun than Boxes?

Being in the process of moving, we have boxes EVERYWHERE and the kids have been loving it! The other day the girls were pretending they were in a space ship soaring through an alien encounter. Gavin on the other hand has been enjoying finding the sharpie markers and drawing all over himself. They play so hard though that they have lately been crashing out on the floor. The joys of moving!

Snowman in Mesquite?

When we got home from our visit with family during the holidays, we still had some snow left on the car so the kids were able to build a mini snowman. They were thrilled and even though it melted a couple of hours later it was to experience something rarely found in Mesquite. The kids also got hard at work at another club house in a nearby dirt lot. It consisted of a hole in a large pile of dirt and some old toys and decorations to make it more homey. They have spent hours fixing it up and have had fun using their imaginations to build their own little get-away.

Visit with Santa

The kids were able to see Santa several times this holiday season and we were able to get pictures taken a couple of times as well. It was so nice to have all 3 kids enjoy time with Santa with no screaming or tantrums, just pure joy and excitement! They were all really excited on Christmas Eve as we did a lesson and activity on the birth of Jesus and then left milk and cookies with a letter to Santa. They were especially thrilled to be woken up Christmas morning to find that Santa had visited once again and brought lots of toys and candy. We then had a yummy breakfast of daddy's famous muffins and sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus before we all blew out a candle lit just for him. Although Spencer had to go to work shortly after, the kids and I enjoyed spending the rest of the day lounging around and playing with all of the new toys.

Crafty Kids

Oh how the kids love their crafts. Eris brought home a mask she made at school while learning about the first Thanksgiving. She knows the entire story by heart and continues afterward with the knowledge she has gained about her favorite historical native american's Pocahontas and Sacagawea. She always brags to her friends that she is related to Pocahontas somewhere down the line on Grandpa Hogue's side and she seems to love Sacagawea because her name is so fun to say. Shayla came home with a cute little turkey hat that she colored to her 3-year-old perfection and Gavin even helped daddy with a fun turkey made from our library's storytime.

Winter Wonderland

The kids were thrilled to wake up to a White Winter Wonderland this morning. Even though it shocked the little ones at first, they had fun trudging through the snow with grandma Sharon like little eskimos.

We Love Grandpa!

Gavin has been the ultimate grandpa's boy this weekend, never leaving his side. He continuously says "up please" to be held and has thoroughly enjoyed helping grandpa wash potatoes in the sink, rolling with him on the floor or playing catch together. He insists on sitting on grandpa's lap during every meal and picking out all the marshmallows during breakfast. The girls have also enjoyed having attention from grandpa as they have spent time with him building a tent, putting up Christmas lights, playing games and cuddling together for a movie!

My Little Helpers

The kids love to be big helpers! When I try to clean the house they are right there with me, ready and willing to do almost any chore I ask. Shayla loves to try to vacuum the floor, help sort and hang the laundry and do the dishes. She is also great at making her bed with her little blankies and picking up toys. Gavin is learning how to pick up toys as well and loves to try to sweep, do dishes or just transfer piles of clothes back and forth between laundry baskets. He seems to think that if he looks busy he is being very helpful. Eris' favorite chore is cleaning the toilet. Don't ask me why she just loves it. She is also great at making her bed, setting and clearing the table, helping cook and changing Gavin's diapers and clothes. She is a very fun big sister and I look forward to her being our number one babysitter in the next few years.

Let's Dance!

Gavin has loved doing somersaults ever since he saw the girls doing them in dance last year. I can never quite catch a picture of his actual roll but here is one right after. Shayla does excellent somersaults and is getting pretty good carwheels as well. Eris has learned how to do a perfect back bend and is close to learning how to flip herself over. At gymnastics yesterday she watched a little 6-year-old doing front and back handsprings and thought it was amazing. Even though she has been nervous about tumbling and flips on the bars, she is sticking with it and getting better every time she tries. Her teacher, Coach Jen, thinks she'll be able to tumble within the next couple of months as she builds her arm strength and her confidence. She is also loving her dance classes; tap, ballet and jazz and her teacher, Ms. Karen, told me she does very well in class. She pays attention and has the type of passion and talent for it that could get her far if she chooses. Eris describes dance as "her life" so I'm sure we'll see some amazing things from her in the future. The kids love to stretch together and Shayla and Gavin usually try to exercise with me when I'm doing my workout videos. We've all seen Shayla and her dance moves but Gavin has some of his own fancy feet that are absolutely adorable!