Dinosaurs and Draculas!

Is it totally pathetic that I'm blogging about Halloween at the end of February? Yeah, I think so, too! Oh yeah, it's happening!
As it is no secret that I love Halloween, I will find anything and everything I can possibly cram into one month that has even a remote connection to the holiday. I found out about the Dinosaur Park and their spook alleys a few years back and now it's become one of the yearly rituals. My girls love it almost as much as I do.

This year my brother-in-law BJ and his wife, Alenna, decided to come and bring their two boys. My girls were delighted to have cousins to play with and I think both BJ and Alenna were impressed with how much fun it was.

The cousin crew! Vance, Mikaela, Haylie and Carter.

Fashionistas!

Well...I don't see either of my girls becoming fashion designing juggernauts anytime soon, but at least they make a statement. I'm just not sure what it is.

Circus, Circus!

Eric heard that the circus was coming to town and decided it was time for the girls to experience what a circus was all about. I was all for it, so we bought the tickets and treated the girls to dinner and dancing elephants. I can't remember the last time I went to the circus, but I'm pretty sure I was around Haylie's age and so it was a lot like going for the first time myself.

All of us had a great time and although Haylie initially was skeptical about the whole thing, once she got inside and saw how many different things were going on, she was sold. Mikaela was just happy to be along for the ride, as always. It doesn't take much to impress her.

This is the only picture that turned out halfway decent. It was one of the most crazy acts of the night. There are at least seven motorcyclists inside an iron-cast sphere. They all drove in different circles and then stopped lining up side by side. Pretty cool. The circus was great and the family time was even better!

Haylie's A First Grader!

How did that happen? I could swear I just brought her home from the hospital and now she's going to school all day! It's bittersweet-I love the little person she is becoming and watching her as she learns and grows, but I miss the days of bottles, blankets and tiny little toes. I always hear so many mothers say how happy they are when the baby stage is over, but not me. I love the baby stage. I think it goes by way too fast! I prefer to keep them small and innocent for as long as possible. Here's hoping she gets an education from the books, and not an "education" from the older kids.

Now That's What I Call A Good End To The Summer!

Somehow Haylie and Mikaela talked me and Eric into having a friend summer party. Against our better judgment, we gave in and ended up having a fabulous time with the girls and half the neighborhood! They invited all of their friends over for some end of summer slippin' and slidin'. I think these girls are pretty spoiled!

The girls chose a "Tiki" theme for their party so we hunted down some fun decorations including these two cute little figurines.

The calm before the storm! Haylie and Mikaela got in a few runs before the crowd showed up.

Happy faces and lots of fun! Totally worth it (even if they are spoiled).

DaNcInG qUeEnS!

What a poser! She sure is cute though!



I love Mikaela's big old cheeser!

My bathing beauty! Her class danced to "Yellow Polka Dot Bikini".

These were the girls' cute dance outfits from their dance recital over the summer (yes, sadly it's been that long since I last blogged. I suck!) They were so cute and the dance recital was really impressive. I loved watching them perform and they seemed to like the attention, so they're signed up again for the fall to start again. Just one more reason I love being a mom!

Some of my Favorite Pictures

I'm not gonna lie-one of the best perks of being a makeup artist is having the opportunity to work with awesome commercial photographers! These were taken by one of best in the business in my opinion. He's got such a great eye for detail and he knows exactly how to capture someone! I love these photographs of my little beauties!