Madisen and Caitlyn got to perform their dance together, it was adorable! You'll have to take my word b/c I don't have the video footage from my sister in law, yet. I love this picture because they are holding hands. It was taken before the performance, and I'm sure they were relying on each other for some courage before they stepped into the spotlight.
Aunt Christy and baby Lulu were in town so they were able to attend the show. The girls were so excited to show off their new cousin!
She played 2 songs: Deck the Halls, and Round Trip Flights. She got to play each song alone and then we played them as duets. It's so wonderful to be able to share my love of music with her. Soon I shall post the videos...
Tuesday it rained so it was the perfect day to pull out our kids craft- they made some foam turkeys for our Thanksgiving Day place cards.
When the rain lifted we raced over to ride the Trolly around the Woodlands and then meandered through the library.
That was also Caitlyn's actual birthday so we celebrated with the family. Don't you love her make-up job by Madisen?
Wednesday we headed to the Houston Harbor where we took a 90 minute boat tour. However, there is NO photography allowed on or near the boat. This was definitely a highlight for all of us.
Dinner was lovely! Everyone had an assignment so it wasn't too much work for anyone. The kids were very well mannered and we managed to engage everyone in a delightful conversation for a while.
While our turkey settled, Aunt Kellie treated the kids to "Arthur Christmas", and we adults tagged along, too. Darling show!
Friday morning it was time for our parting. We sure loved having our family down for a visit!! The kids are still asking when they're going to come back. We hope it's soon! Being together was definitely something to be thankful for this year!
-As the girls arrived, we tied their hot pink bandana on their head and they got to make their own spy glass. While they were creating, I asked each of them to tell me something they knew about pirates- they had some great answers, that I really should've written down. (Side note: we went foodless for Halloween this year and handed out glow bracelets. As Caitlyn was helping me open and assemble them, she requested to save the cases they came in b/c we might need them for her birthday party. Who knew she had such great foresight! This girls is ALWAYS thinking!)
-They worked at their own pace, so some enjoyed the play room while others finished. Glitter glue and alphabet stickers are just too fun!
{I love their pirate faces!}
-The birthday girl requested cake pops and no candles... don't look too closely at the pirate faces- my experiment of dying the white chocolate black did NOT work. The girls thought they were skeletons :).
-Pirates Booty was the perfect snack addition to our cake balls!
After presents it was time for the treasure hunt- it was definitely the highlight. There were about 6 rhyming clues leading them through the house. Before they could read each clue there was something they had to do to 'unlock' the clue. They were soooo into this; spinning in 5 circles, saying Happy Birthday to Caitlyn 5x, etc. and then deciphering the clues. I REALLY wish I would've had a video camera when they had to sing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" like a pirate, I was not prepared for their enthusiasm or ability to sound like pirates- swinging arms and all. It was absolutely priceless!
The treasure chest was in the tub and full of some take-home loot. Good times were had by all!
-Perhaps my favorite part of the day was the bobbing for apples. It was the only thing that Madisen was really set on having at the party. While the guests chomped on their apples they were playing on the swing set. I was trying to capture a few photos, when one girl blurted out that she lost her tooth. So I asked Bill to bring us a napkin while I kept her calm and we made sure not to lose the tooth. While we were juggling the tooth/apple/camera the girl standing next to her announced that she had also lost her tooth. WHAT? By the time Bill arrived with the napkin I had 2 girls missing teeth... just in time to look like Jack-O-Lanterns. We never did find the other tooth in the grass, go figure. 
-After all that excitement, we headed up to the media room where we split into groups of 2. Each team had 2 minutes to come up with a spooky story using their finger puppets. Then we turned out the lights and used a spotlight to tell stories in the dark. They were the perfect age for such an activity! 
-Bill stepped in and stole the show for the final act.
We sure love this girl! She's spunky and sensitive. She's the peacemaker, creative, a lover of music and dancing, and quite social! We're looking forward to this upcoming year when we get to help her prepare to turn 8-- it's going to be a great year!
There is something absolutely heartwarming about a little boy dressed in a white shirt & slacks for church. Last week it was a tie, this week it was a sweater vest.
On October 23 our oldest daughter turned 7! She chose to have a costume party with her friends. They were at a really fun age for a costume party! I've got some great stories & pictures, but they will just have to wait.
I know they were the photographers b/c of the 2 photos below, they speak for themselves.
It was a BEA-U-TI-FUL day here- not too hot not too cold. We had some friends over & the older girls really wanted to swim in the hot tub. I couldn't argue... it was beckoning to them. The younger 2 were more timid, but enjoyed the warmth none the less. It must be noted that the spontaneous swimming meant they had to borrow some bathing suits & Weston, who is 2 days older than Brooklyn, fit just perfectly into Williams 9 month trunks. :)
Today Bill and I celebrated our 8th anniversary! Hard to believe that in only 8 years we have lived in 5 homes & 4 states, have 4 children, & no pets (yes!). 
A kitty cat, Rapunzel, a ghost, and a spider web!
Plus my California Surfer turned Texas Cowboy (wish you could see the boots!), and the witch. Our baby ghost was peacefully resting up for the festivities. I know that we're in front of the sign, but the point was to be able to see us... and the sign was cute!
Our super-fun new neighbors always hook up a trailer and drive around the block so the kids don't have to waste all of their energy on the dark houses. My children are by far the youngest on the trailer but they were so sweet to include us and then wait as the little legs just weren't as fast as the big kids.
Caitlyn with Jacob and Tyler.
Jacob's handy camera skillz. I love William's expression, and Madisen's hair that lasted about 5 houses. It was about that time that dad finally rolled in from work and I handed him the baby so the men folk could greet the trick-or-treaters.
My 3 girls trying to keep up with Abby, by the end of the night I just wasn't cool enough for Brooklyn.
Enjoying their Fun Dips as a grand finale to the evening!
William has officially graduated to the baby swings at the park. He LOVED it! This month he has started solid foods (rice cereal, carrots, applesauce and pears). His favorite is fresh pears in the mesh baby feeder- he attacks it! He also has figured out how to spin in a circle while on his tummy and to scoot backwards. I'm afraid he'll be crawling before I'm ready! The fuzz on his head is definitely starting to look reddish. I think he'll have Madisen's coloring- so neat!
We are blessed to live near a temple! We love the opportunity to take our eternal family there to feel the special spirit that is unique to temple grounds.
(Look at my 4 brown-eyed beauties!)
On September 26 our sweet William was 5 months old. He's such a bundle of joy! I have some priceless video of him laughing at the girls, but it won't upload right now- hopefully later. Here are a few things I want to remember about this 5 month old.
We sure love this little boy!
