Leaves and more leaves

So we have 3 trees in our backyard that I love! But when it comes to Fall, they are a lot of work! I decided it was time to rake the backyard and clean up all the leaves. But of course in the process you have to let the kids run and jump in them and take cute pictures of the kids covered in the leaves. Fall is my favorite season!

BIRTHDAYS!

Aiden just turned 1 and Ali just turned 3! On Aiden's birthday I made cupcakes. (which worked out perfectly because on that same day I took some to preschool so they could celebrate Ali's birthday since they don't have preschool on Fridays) Aiden wasn't too interested in eating the cupcake since he was full from dinner. Then we let him open his presents. We gave him a new winter coat, a little football, a fire truck, and a couple other clothes. But Aiden is now only walking. He doesn't crawl anymore and when he falls down he stands right back up to walk. He is also a little climber. He recently likes to climb on our little Lego table we have in the playroom and stand up on it. He has also found a new way to annoy the girls by turning the television on and off while they are trying to watch a movie. We have to remind Ali and Lizzy that they also liked to do that when they were little.
Ali's birthday is on Halloween. We let Ali open presents in the morning and later that night we took the kids to the mall to go trick or treating and then to Build a Bear so Ali could pick out an animal. But I am amazed at how smart she is. She is thriving in preschool. She has the Pledge of Allegiance memorized, can write her name, can count to 20 or higher, knows her letters and points them out, and loves to sing and do the actions. She is a joy to have around and I love her smile!
But on Sunday, November 2, we had a family birthday party for Aiden and Ali. It was fun to get all my family together to celebrate. They loved all their presents. I also made my first double layer cake with frosting in the middle. I have to say it was pretty yummy!

The Girl's Haircut

I decided it was time Lizzy got her hair cut because it was always ratty and stringy and not looking too cute unless it was pulled back all the time. I had a couple coupons for kid's haircuts at David Douglas Salon, who had cut my hair and I loved it, so I told Lizzy we were going to get her hair cut. Lizzy was scared and wanted Ali to get her hair cut first. I wasn't planning on cutting Ali's hair, but I thought it would be worth it to get Lizzy's done. So Ali went first and was really brave as usual. She loved sitting on the booster seat on the special hair cutting chair. Lizzy went next and I had them wash her hair since at bath time I had already planned on getting her hair cut so we didn't wash it that night. But Lizzy had to lay on my lap while they washed her hair because she was nervous. Then she got her hair cut. She did really well. Both Ali and Lizzy got an A-line cut. I think it looks great on both of them. I think the haircut really soot's Ali because she doesn't like anything in her hair. I wish they didn't cut Lizzy's hair that short, but it will grow out and I still think it looks cute!

Halloween

The kids loved Halloween this year, like every year! We went trick or treating in the mall. That was nice because it went quickly and it was warm. We got a lot of candy in a short period of time. Then we came home and did a little trick or treating in our neighborhood. I think the girls liked handing out candy the best to the trick or treaters that came to our house. Lizzy would grab the bowl filled with candy and Ali would open the door and say, "Hi trick or treaters." Then Ali would proceed to tell them what candy she got or about her new stuffed animal puppy she got for her birthday. Lizzy would hold the bowl and let them pick their own candy. We also went to a fun ward Halloween party where they had fun games for the kids to play. Shae and I even got invited to an adult Halloween party. Shae found a great Ghostbuster costume and I was a tavern lady. Ali and Aiden were monkeys and Lizzy was a pirate. Thanks to the Fetters for the great pirate costume. Lizzy loved it! Also thanks to Aunt Camille for letting Aiden borrow Lance's old monkey costume!