First Santa Sighting

We went to the English Garden holiday open house to see santa and pick up the highly anticipated "elf on a shelf".  Even though we know Santa really comes to BCC in a couple weeks...this one was a good warm up!

Happy Birthday Lil D

From her birthday party at Chuck e. Cheese...

Election Day

I took Marianna to the polls with me this morning to demonstrate the importance of getting out and exercising the right to vote.  I explained to in detail why we were voting and what we hope to accomplish today and how we will watch the tv tonight and see what happened.  To everything I said she thoughtfully replied that "one day when she is a grown up...she wants to be a republican just like mommy and daddy."  It brought a tear to my eye.  That's how it starts.....

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Pumpkin Carving

We always carve the pumpkins the day before Halloween and since Daniella was napping, I thought it would be some fun Mommy and Marianna time....considering DJ hates carving pumpkins.

One down...Marianna and her proud pumpkin.

Daniella is up from her nap and ready to carve her first pumpkin!

I don't know if Daniella really new what to make of the pumpkin carvings...but was as curious as ever!

Of course, no Halloween is complete without the Spartan Pumpkin!!

On Halloween day before heading out to play in the leaves....before Daddy cleans them all up!

Trick or Treat

Finally, the night has arrived. I feel like this is the twentieth time in our costumes and am a little thankful Halloween is coming to a close. Here is Jessie (toy story) and Daniella the Chicken.

Guess Who's Walkin'?

Ok, so we are officially going to call it. Daniella is a walker. It has been a long time coming now but I think after 8-10 steps consistantly, in a row, should qualify as walking. She was even walking all around Goldfish tonight...everyone was clapping for her :) 11 months 2 weeks 6 days....a little later than Marianna but that's ok...she is so much her own person and we are so proud of her. Way to go lil D!

BCC Brunch and Haunted House

Marianna (Jessie from Toy Story) and lil D (sleeping beauty-how fitting) before heading out to the BCC brunch and Haunted House.

So bummed that NONE of my pictures of all the kids turned out :( My camera was in a weird setting and overexposed them all. I tried saving them, or at least so you can make out some faces....they would have turned out so well, too.

The pool area is turned into a Haunted House and Marianna was so excited to go in. This was my first year in and it is actually REALLY scary. I am not even sure how these little ones got a foot in the door.

A picture from inside the house (it was pitch black, too)..

We were there for almost 3 hours and Daniella never made one peep...there was so much to see and all of her cousins took turns carrying her around. When we got home, she (sleeping beauty) slept for nearly 3 1/2 hours!!

Saturday night, Daniella was taking about 6-8 steps all by herself. I know I keep saying it, but it is just a matter of time before she is totally independant.