Se-doughnut

Yesterday, we took a litttle day trip to Sedona. Gabby thought we were going to Sedoughnut, which made us laugh. We stopped to eat lunch at a cute little cafe. We walked in and had the only kids in the place. Robert and I were getting a little nervous but, thankfully, the girls were very well behaved and made friends with the waitresses. Outside, they had this fun kaleidoscope/flower pot. The flower pot spun around to make the images in the kaleidoscope. The girls loved it!

Next, we headed to the trout farm. It is a pond full of rainbow trout that you can fish from. We have never actually fished there but you can feed the fish little pellets you buy from the vending machine. The fish go crazy and start jumping out of the water to get to the food. It is fun for the kids to watch.

On the way home, we stopped at some of the merchant tables that are set up all through the canyon. Carter wanted a souvenir she could take to show-and-tell. She chose a marble gem with a Rt.66 logo on top. Funny, because we were not even on Rt.66. It was a fun day and we were glad to take a little break, even if doughnuts weren't involved, right Gabs?

Surprise Snow

We were expecting rain yesterday but noticed a few snowflakes falling as we were getting home from church. It gave us an inch or so overnight, enough to play with! Carter has been waiting for snow for weeks. She was so excited, she wanted to play first thing when she got up this morning. Gabby kept saying, "We didn't eat breakfast yet." She does not love the cold weather. Carter did not care. As you can see, they went out in pajamas and winter coats. Good enough.

Carter made her first snowman without help. He looks kind of like a snowball mound with eyes and mittens but he's pretty cute.

Not so cute are the animal tracks in the snow beside the girls. I had set a trash bag on the back porch last night, which I never do, to take out today (it was snowing, come on). Well, the little critter was not worried about going out in the snow, found himself a nice dinner and left the trash bag littered across the porch. Lesson learned.

I guess this kicks off our last winter in the snow!

Halloween '08

This year for Halloween, we all dressed up as Toy Story characters including Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head, Tour Guide Barbie, Army Man, Jessie, Hamm, Slinky Dog, Stinky Pete, Woody, and Bo Peep.

Robert was a good sport to dress up as Stinky Pete but his costume was our favorite!

Our little fam before the trick-or-treating started.

The girls were excited to get a visit from their littlest cousin, Raylin aka Santa's elf, when they got back that night. Such a fun night with family, friends, and lots of candy!

Gabby & Nixie

These two girlies have way too much fun together! I couldn't resist posting this second picture. Ha Ha!

Preschool Party

Since we didn't have Carter's costume for her preschool party, we had to make do with stuff out of the dress-up box. She decided to be a Dr. and had fun giving everyone pretend shots.

The party was so cute and the kids had a blast playing pin the nose on the witch, ghost-ghost-goblin (duck-duck-goose), decorating pumpkins, making crafts, and trick-or-treating.

What a cute little group of trick-or-treaters!

Another first

Carter participated in her first Primary Program today at church. I was sad because I had to miss it! Even though she just had to say "Be reverent", I still wish I could have been there. Gabby has been so sick the last couple of days, she needed to rest at home. You know your 2-year-old is sick when they don't move from the same spot on the couch for days. Oh well, Robert said Carter did good and Gabs and I will just have to wait until next year :)

The Practice Brother

We had our friends son, Noah, staying with us this past week. I think both of my girls now have a crush on him. They thought he was the funniest person they had ever met. Carter liked that Noah could read her stories without any help. It gave us a little preview of life with a brother!

Oh Boy!

That's right...Robert won't be the only boy in our family for long. We are all sooo excited! Now we've got until mid-March to get a little blue into this very princess pink house!

Pumpkin Painting '08

One of our favorite family traditions is painting pumpkins every October. This year, we got to paint with some friends and the kids had fun coming up with their own creative designs.

Gabby gave her pumpkin a green hair do.

Malloy made a green goblin pumpkin with 4 eyes. Spooky!

The girls showed off their finished pumpkins before we put them out on the doorstep. Happy October!

Upside-down

Carter & Gabs have been learning new "tricks" lately. Usually, their tricks are something like jumping and turning a circle in the air or jumping off the couch. Last week, our friend taught them how to do head stands against the wall and they have been practicing non-stop. Gabs still needs a little help but Carter is upside-down for a good portion of the day.

Bubble bath

Accessorized

Remember this part in Toy Story?

Well, I'm pretty sure that's what it's like to be a toy at our house.

Wishberries

Carter has always called dandelions "wishberries". I'm not sure where she got this from but my guess is it's probably off a movie. Anyways, right now the dandelions are perfect to blow and make wishes with. Today, Carter handed one to both Gabby and I and took two for herself. Then she asked us what we wished for. I told her I wished for 2 happy girls. Cheesy, yes. Carter said she wished for a new puppy with one and to be a ballerina with the other. Gabby took a long time with her wish. She was putting some intense thought into it. Then, she proudly told us that she wished for some macaroni and cheese. We were all cracking up. She has been saying some pretty funny things lately! I'm sure we will have our share of stories from raising her :)

Copper Dog

Sunday afternoon

Ready to explore

Magnifying glass...check
Lantern...check
2 girls ready to go exploring outside and find chipmunks...check, check

Why we love our Gabster

• She is in love with Dora the Explorer and Santa.
  
• She makes us laugh everyday.


• She will help with anything including dinner, cleaning, shopping, give her a job and she's a happy girl .
  
• She has a bit of a sweet tooth. She will finish her treat and then ask Carter for bites of hers.


• She is a big tease to her older sister but loves her a lot!
  
• She loves to sing but gets stage fright. She will rarely sing in front of anyone if she knows they are listening.

• She has a soft heart for babies. She's our little mommy.
  
• She thinks that playing with friends/cousins/aunties/uncles/grandparents is the best thing ever!
  
• She has the only set of blue eyes on either side of the family.
  
• She loves to sleep. She will even tell us when she's sleepy and wants to take a nap.
  
• She thinks it is funny to call people by their first names or nicknames for example: Sherwood, Robert, Clarkie, Kevin, Holly, Marshy
  

We love so much about our Gabby Girl. She is the little personality in our family. Happy Birthday Gabs!