More Halloween Happenings

So, here are a few more pics from Trunk or Treat at church. Everyone really seems to go all out and gets really creative. I didn't get nearly as many pictures as I wanted to, but these are a few of my favorites.

The High School Musical gang

Santa, Mrs. Clause and four elves

101 Dalmations, Cruella deVille and Jasper

The Potato Heads

Halloween night, our family went trick-or-treating with our good friends, the Breedlove's (aka Santa, Mrs. Clause, and the elves..see picture above). We had a great time getting candy, spending time with friends, and enjoying yummy soup afterward.

Chandler, Walker and Brooks..."Do we have to take another picture?"

All the kids

Owen got to trick-or-treat with Santa! Who knew?

more trick-or-treating

Happy Halloween

This year for Halloween, our family dressed up as The Incredibles...Mr. Incredible, Elastagirl, Violet, Dash and Baby Jack-Jack. This is the first year that we could all agree on a group to dress up as. In past years, Walker has wanted to be a superhero and Riley wanted to be a princess...it just never has quite worked out for our costumes to coordinate. But, last year after Halloween, The Incredibles came on the Disney channel. It hit us that we should dress like this superhero family...Owen would be the perfect age for Jack-Jack, Riley looks just like Violet (but doesn't act like her, thank goodness), and Walker loves superheros, not to mention he needed an excuse to spike his hair! Tim and I were not excited about our potential costumes, but we compromised and it all worked out. We decided to purchase Walker's costume off ebay. Note to self: when looking for Halloween costumes on ebay, don't wait until October; start looking in May. Everyone and their brother is desperate for that perfect costume for their sweet, darling child...and let's just say it gets vicious! We got Walker's costume and I decided to make the other four. I was not about to pay an average of $70 each, to only be worn once! They all turned out great! In fact, our family tied for Best Costume at our church's Trunk or Treat.

Owen's 1st Birthday

Owen turned 1 on Sunday. Wow! Time sure does fly! We celebrated with a clown party, last weekend! Both sets of grandparents, the Boykin's, the Davis', Abby and Jeremy and Aunt Susan were all there. We had a really good time...the best part was watching Owen eat his cake. Yesterday on his actual birthday, we had cake again and we gave him a few presents. He is such a sweet baby, always happy and ready to go with the flow. We are so blessed and thank God everyday for him!

Owen...1 day old

Owen...1 year old

He loved his cake!!!

Doing the cake thing again on his actual birthday

Owen still likes cake!!!

Owen sporting his new Alabama cap....ROOOLLL TIDE!

His new ride

Walker, Riley, and Owen

Pictures from Malibu

Finally, here are some pictures from my trip to California. We had a great time...the weather was beautiful, we ate good food, and sang our little hearts out.

The Hollywood sign from Sunset Boulevard

Beverly Hills

the Santa Monica Mountains

the pier on the beach in Malibu

Pepperdine University Campus

Practice, practice, practice

UCC Praise Team

Owen and Abby on the beach in Malibu

Malibu Here I Come!

Yes, that's right...Me, Owen, my good friend Abby, and 9 others from our church are leaving early Monday morning for Malibu, California to attend and perform at the Pepperdine Lecture Series. This is the 2nd year that the UCC Praise team has been out to Pepperdine, but only my 1st year. I am really excited. Like I said, I am taking Owen and a friend to help me with him. Tim is staying at home with Riley and Walker....Riley has school and Walker has t-ball. It is going to be a good trip, but I am a little nervous about how the time change will affect Owen's schedule, remembering to pack everything I will need, etc. Oh, well. Everyone that has been out to Malibu, says I am going to love it. I think one thing I am looking forward to is no humidity! Right now the weather says highs in the '70's and lows in the '50's....perfect. Anyway, keep us all in your prayers. I am sure I will have lots of pics to upload when I get back Friday night. 'Til then....

Seussical the Musical

Whew! I know it has been forever since I have posted, but I do have a pretty good excuse. I think I posted a while back that Riley auditioned for Tuscaloosa Children's Theatre's production of Seussical the Musical. She was cast as a fish, a hunch, and a circus performer. That's right - three different characters = three different costumes = 5 costume changes!!! At the beginning she had practice about one night a week. Then, after Spring Break, it became three nights a week. Last week was the doozy...dress rehearsals on Monday and Tuesday; 2 shows at 9 am and 12 pm for schools on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; a show at 7 pm on Friday night; 2 shows on Saturday at 2pm and 7 pm; and 1 show on Sunday at 2 pm....for a grand total of 10 shows. It was definitely an unforgettable experience. I know Riley had a blast. Some of her best friends from church were also in the play, and she made some new friends, as well. They ask the parents to chaperone 4 practices and 3 shows, so that took some time. But, it was worth it. I also got to know some moms and gained some new relationships in the process. Friends keep asking me, "Are you glad Seussical is over?" and I have to admit it is really a bittersweet feeling. I don't miss some of the stress, but I do miss seeing the people. We had a really good time and learned a lot. Here are some pics from the show....

Riley hammin' it up!

Horton the Elephant and Gertrude McFuzz

Riley, a circus performer and Carrye Ann, a Who

Riley and Katherine as fish

Mary Helen, a Who and Riley (early on when she wanted to wear the clown nose)

Easter Pics

Thankful Thursday

25 things that I am thankful for:

1. a wonderful husband and marriage
2. 3 happy, healthy children
3. close friends that I can call on for anything
4. new friends
5. not getting the flu from my husband (he had it last week... one of the reasons it took me so long to post!)
6. sunny days
7. birds outside my kitchen window
8. clean sheets
9. consignment sales
10. a self-motivated, over-achieving, book-lover, pleaser child in Riley
11. a hilarious, quirky, movie-lover, can-memorize-anything, child in Walker
12. a precious, snuggly, laid back, loves-his-passy, baby in Owen
13. Cascade 2 in 1 Action Packs for the dishwasher
14. pictures that remind me of fun times
15. the faculty and staff at Taylorville Primary School
16. a wonderful church family that laughs and cries together
17. Starbucks...white chocolate mocha...mmmm!
18. being a stay-at-home mom
19. the pause, rewind and record feature with DVR
20. Panera Bread bagels, Zaxby's club sandwich, and McAllister's chicken tortilla soup
21. living in Tuscaloosa
22. caller ID
23. loyal pets
24. a child's imagination
25. being able to get across town in 20 minutes

I have to brag on my sweet Riley. Thursday night, she and several friends auditioned for Tuscaloosa Children's Theater's production of "Seussical the Musical", a muscial based on the books of Dr. Seuss. We found out yesterday that she will be playing the part of a fish/hunches (not sure what that is)/circus-performer. She is sooooo excited and we are so proud of her. About 150 children, teenagers, and college students tried out, and only 80 were cast. It has already been a great experience, and I am sure she is going to learn so much. So, there is my brag for the day!

An Egyptian Princess, a Sitter-Upper and a Walker Funny

This week has been CRAZY at our house. Doctor's appointments (no one is sick, just check-ups); school programs; piano, basketball, and singing practice; laundry piled up like Mt. St. Helens; auditions for a children's theater musical; and let's not forget the all-important Bunco and major sale at Old Navy!

Among all the craziness, we had some fun, bright spots here and there.

Riley played the part of an Egyptian princess in a school program about Ancient Egypt. She did awesome and sang beautifully! She was so excited about wearing all the make-up, but was definitely ready to get it off at the end of the day. :)

Owen is now officially sitting up. I sat him on the floor, just yesterday, to see what would happen and this was the result. I took a picture because he was too precious. He actually sat there for 5 minutes. He is getting so big, too fast.

Walker asked the other day, "Why is Jesus' name Amen?" I thought it was hilarious. I know he has heard us say at the end of prayers "in Jesus' name, Amen" and probably thought that "amen" was Jesus' last name? Who knows. The things kids say...

So, there are some highlights from our week. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Walker's 1st Snow...and He is 4 Years Old!

Yes, folks...we have snow! Walker was so excited. When we first started talking about the fact that it was supposed to snow, he said, "It's gonna snow and Santa will come!!". Poor child. I guess in his little mind he is thinking snow + winter = Santa. I mean, who wouldn't? Every Christmas movie special that he saw a few short weeks ago depicted Santa riding a sleigh in SNOW. Not to mention several Christmas carols talk about it. Not here in Alabama, though. We were ecstatic to see 1/2 inch of the white stuff, this morning. Riley and Walker played in the snow, after Riley's basketball game. They were able to make a small snowman (which by the way is still standing a few hours, and melted snow later). And I got some much coveted pictures of my kids with snowballs in hand and beautiful snow all around.

Daddy got in on the action

Walker chasing Mommy with a snowball

Walker, Riley & Owen enjoying the snow

Our snowman, complete with pirate belt scarf

This One's for You Anna Leigh...

I have been tagged by Anna Leigh to play Scattergories. Here goes...

RULES:Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following.Your answers have to be real names, places, and things and you can’t use your own name for the boy or girl name.

What’s your name? Anna
Car: Altima
City: Atlanta
Boy name: Austin
Girl name: Audrey
Occupation: Actress
Something you can wear: Angora sweater
Celebrity: Al Gore
Food: Asparagus
Reason for being late: Afternoon naps went long
Cartoon character: Ariel
Something you shout: Awesome!

No, you're not going crazy! Two posts in one day...it's a record!

The Diamondbacks

Riley has just started playing Upward basketball, a church league here in town. Her team is the Diamondbacks, made up of 7 Kindergarten and 1st grade girls. She has had two games and loves it. She scored twice in the last game and played really good defense. Her age group doesn't officially keep score, but all the mamas in the stands do (our team has won both games!). We are so proud of her. Tim is her coach and they have had a "ball" (sorry!) together. I'm just having a hard time with the Friday night practices at 6pm. I guess it is better than being in the middle of the week...Here are some pics from courtside. Maybe this week I can get a picture of her actually making a shot. Until then...