Lake Geneva Wisconsin

Although this may not sound like the best (warmest) place to vacation in December it warms my heart to think of the time we spent together as a family! We had wonderful accomodations. It was two one bedroom condo units that had an adjoining door so we essentially had a two bedroom condo with two kitchens and full baths! There was a fireplace and we kept the heat near 80 the whole week! There was also a big tub for swimming with the girls in warm water. There was an indoor pool which we had mostly to ourselves. It wasn't so cold once you got in. We spent one day at the indoor water park that was on site. Frances was afraid to go down the big tube slide the first time but that was it...she was in love! It was much more fun to go with daddy as he carried her up all the stairs and mommy made her walk. We went in the hot tub that had a tunnel leading to the outside where it was snowing. Brrr! We went sledding on the golf course hills but only lasted about 15-20 minutes as it was really cold! We watched quite a bit of tv (mostly history channel, animal planet, and TLC as we don't have them at home). We truly enjoyed our relaxing vacation and hope to do it again next year (just maybe someplace warmer). I think we are looking at Branson in early summer. Here are some pictures!

job perk

Another great thing about my selling Usborne Books is the packaging paper! It provided great entertainment for four little girls three and under on a cold day!

set sail

My grandmother made a boy quilt and a girl quilt before Delaney was born. I really liked this one with the sailboats the best even though it was intended for a boy. We use it all the time for playing on the floor! Thanks Gram!

first and last

We went to the zoo earlier in November. It was the first time Delaney has had the pleasure and although it was our last trip there this year it will definitely not be her last! I just love taking my girls to any zoo! Being outside and seeing the animals is great! On this particular day the animals were in rare form. They were all very active and visible, even the lions and tigers! Look at this seal posing! (I am talking about the one on top of the rock)
Frances is always wanting to hold Delaney. It made for a nice picture in front of the penguins. I think Delaney was enthralled with the see through floor where the penguins can swim underneath.

The giraffes are always a sight to see!

Frances is finally excited to pet the goats and it appears that little D really liked them too! What a great smile! It looks like Libby enjoyed them as well (she seems to smile at everything)

It is so much fun to take Frances back to the zoo so many different times as she grows. She always finds something new that she likes. I am so thankful that I am able to do such fun things with my kids! (thanks mom for giving me a love for zoos!)

When I grow up...

This morning while talking with Frances she said that she wants to be a doctor when she grows up. We talked about what kind of doctor and she said a "belly" doctor (that would be like my OB/GYN). I told her that she would be a very smart doctor and her response was "Yeah, and real nice and I will be careful with babies." It was just so sweet to hear how she said it but also the first time I have really thought about her growing up that much. Sounds crazy but I realize it will happen in a flash. For today I will focus on enjoying everything about her being an almost 4 year old!

fall fun

This evening I was watching a friends little girl. Our girls had a great time playing outside in the leaves I quickly raked up for them. There are still many many leaves on the tree but I was able to make a nice pile for them. It was such a nice evening for Nov. 1st. It was 72 today! We were able to eat our supper outside without sweatshirts! Then after supper, the girls (all three) took baths, we read books and all three were in bed and asleep by 830! Wohoo!

Future in songwriting?

Frances created this song during her school party while creating this craft. She loves to sing this song over and over now!

Halloween!!!!!!!!!!!!

Frances was really tired from all the festivities....wait, this was before they even started!

She woke up around 6 this morning (very early for her) and then we were in the car around 3 so she actually took a nap! I did not drive with her laying this way. She did that once I got home and parked.

We had the opportunity to dress up both yesterday and today. Yesterday Delaney was a cow. Frances was a cheetah both days.

I had a lot of fun painting her face tonight. I am quite pleased with how it turned out. The outfit was something my sister sent us this summer. It looks homemade and it fits just perfect. She got many compliments throughout the evening. Delaney was a ladybug, however, she slept the entire time in the stroller.

We enjoyed the beautiful and warm evening with a couple of other friends. It was a great Halloween!!!!!!!!

School party!

I was the lucky parent that got to coordinate the preschool Fall party. I am sure it is the first of many. It was fun for all and pretty easy.

The kids played toss the bean bag into the pumpkin. They also played pass the pumpkin (like hot potatoe) and then they each got to decorate a pumpkin when they got out. There was a craft and then a snack:)

This weekend we carved our pumpkins. Frances wasn't so keen on the cleaning out process at first...

But it got better:)

Then came the hard part...letting daddy have some fun! (and he did)

When the carving was finished Frances had to put on her pj's. This is her expression when coming into the dark garage and seeing the candles burning in her pumpkins.

The proud owner of the fanciest pumpkins I have ever been a part of.


And the final result........................

One of my favorite images in motherhood!

So many choices....

four month test

Which kitty is the original?

Check out my deals from CVS today!

Total before tax and coupons: $56.24

Total after coupons, with tax (including one $7 EC buck and 2 $10 cvs giftcards from our prescription coupons last week): $17.06

Amount of EC bucks earned on this trip: $17.21

growing up!

Here is something Delaney enjoys these days. Her feet just barely reach the bottom.

Pumpkin Farm

A sure sign of colder days to come...On Sunday we put the boat into storage and then headed off to a pumpkin farm. It was a beautiful day for it! And we were able to get home in time to watch football (if you could call it that considering they didn't play well).

The hayride was short and fun. We went out to a pumpkin patch (mostly a weed patch with pumpkins placed in it) and picked out our prize pumpkin.

Frances really liked petting the goats. They were very friendly. I think it was their nap time because they sat so still even with all the children running around them.

She a scarecrow! She is definitely full of something!