Halloween Fun

I was really excited that Noelle was going to go trick-or-treating this year. Last year she couldn't walk yet, had a cold and could really care less. I love Halloween and all the excitement. I love that Noelle gets to experience it and I can with her. Saturday night came and unfortunately it was cold, windy and wet. At one point the rain stopped for a few minutes and that's when Michael, Noelle and I headed out. We went to my parent's neighborhood. Within about ten minutes it started raining again and so we put Noelle's rain jacket on her. She loved the idea of getting candy and putting it in her basket. She didn't really say "trick-or-treat" but she loved saying "bye" and "thank you" to everyone. After about a half an hour we decided it was time to go inside. Noelle's face and hands were cold and red and she was done walking. We went back to my parent's house and got warm and ate dinner and enjoyed our evening with them. Today (Sunday) we went over to my parent's again and ate cheese soup in bread bowls. Yum! This has been a Halloween tradition in my family for as long as I can remember. Everyone was there and we had a great time. Can't wait for next year!

Halloween 2009

Halloween 2010

Noelle was tinkerbell and loved her pretty green dress. She wasn't the biggest fan of the wings though.
This was the only picture we got while trick-or-treating. Too wet and windy outside.

Noelle with her second cousin Taven

The pretty fairy and studly cowboy

This is what happens on a busy day without a nap. She RARELY sleeps anywhere but her bed.

Noelle is 2!!!

I still can't believe that Noelle turned 2 on Wednesday. It really does seem like yesterday that she was in the NICU and we couldn't wait to take her home. She is the light in our lives and has truly blessed mine more than I ever thought possible. I am so grateful that I get to stay home with her and see her grow and learn and try new things. I couldn't ask for anything better. She is so sweet and giggling all the time and she is quite the little helper. We love you Noelle!

and in case you were wondering Noelle is:
25.8lbs - 40%
36 inches - 97%

A few weeks after Noelle was born

around 6 months

1 year
18 months
2 years
We got her a little bike but unfortunately she doesn't quite reach the pedals but she still is excited about it and scoots it around the house.
We made her an Elmo cake (thanks to a friend for the idea)

We tried to get her to use her hands but she refused and had to use a fork this year
I think she's enjoying herself

One of her gifts was princess dress up and this is her as snow white :)

I like to decorate the family room for everyone's birthday. My mom did this for us as kids and I loved it!

Noelle loved the balloons

Getting the hang of unwrapping

Thanks to everyone who came to her little birthday party and those who weren't able to but wished they could. She loved all the gifts and had so much fun and I know she loves (and misses) all of you!

2

Today is Noelle's 2nd birthday and I just wanted to announce that!! I can't believe how fast time flies. photos to come later...

"I got magic! Alakazamakazoo"

Saturday my mom, my sisters, some friends and I all went to Witches Night at Gardiner Village. I had never been before and it was awesome! We all dressed up as witches and went and saw other amazing witch costumes. We walked around, danced a little, shopped a little, took a ton of pictures and just had fun. We all went to dinner afterward too. Dressing up was the highlight for me. I haven't dressed up for something in a very long time and it was a blast! Thank you Michael for watching Noelle so much as I prepared to be one hot witch :)!!! Next year I want to dress up even more and maybe bring Michael and Noelle to one of the nights.

my witch costume. I had fun wearing everything the tights brought it all together and I LOVE them!

Rebecca (my sister-in-law) went as Hermione :)

Almost the whole group, minus Kathryn. We looked so good!

my fun sister-in-law Rebecca!!

my awesome sister alyson

one of the freakiest costumes there

I think I look great in this one

my other awesome sister Taylor!

It was a full moon night and I thought that was cool. it's that tiny dot in the upper left corner

showin a little leg ;)

my beautiful mother, Mary

Nina, Alyson, Mom and Me

Easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love this recipe! My family loves it, it's fun to make around this time of year and it's just so easy.

1 large can of pumpkin (the stuff you buy for pumpkin pie)
2 boxes of spice cake mix
1-2 bags of chocolate chips (I like to use 2 bags and semi-sweet)

Combine all ingredients. Scoop into balls (as best you can) onto a lightly greased baking sheet. The dough is easier to make into balls when it's been in the refrigerator for a while. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-15 minutes (depending on your oven-just keep an eye on them). They are done when the bottoms of the cookie are a darker brown. This makes a ton, like 6 dozen or more.

Wheeler Farm and more

Sometimes I just can't believe how much Noelle is growing. She just surprises me every day with new things she does or says. Lately she has been loving to dress up and put anything she can find on. Looks like she will be getting some dress up stuff for her birthday (which is next week!). She is sick of being in a stroller and I don't really blame her. I've been trying to get in a few more walks before it becomes too cold outside during the day. We walk to feed the ducks and then I have to bribe her to get back in the stroller with some fruit loops. She has the cutest little run and is so fun and just giggles all the time. She loves being around family and is so spoiled sometimes. I'm excited for her to have a little cousin in February. It's going to be so good for her. This last Friday we went to Wheeler Farm to see the animals, go on a wagon ride and get some pumpkins. Noelle loved it but was scared to death of the pigs for some reason. I'm so excited for Halloween. To dress Noelle up and see her trick-or-treating. I miss being a kid sometimes.

**Oh and did I mention that Noelle has stayed in nursery two weeks in a row now. Thanks to some patient and loving nursery leaders. Yay!

Feeding the ducks at the farm

This was a huge duck, you can't tell that really well from the picture. But I've never seen a duck this big

pig in it's own feeding trough that Noelle was scared of

Some photos of us

We were facing the sun

trying to get her to smile for the camera

At the pumpkin patch Noelle kept trying to pick up all the pumpkins. She loved it

watching some football with elmo and nina

hahaha

trying on my snow boots all by herself