An artist in the making

We have been spending a lot of time doing crafts lately. Due to swine flu and rainy days, it seems our coloring, cutting and painting time has been expanded.

the other day, Allie drew this picture...

and then promptly explained it was a butterfly, wind, sunshine and flower.... (the blue circle like thing is the wind... it has been windy around here lately, so she has wind on the brain).

We also had some painting time, and I was so impressed with her work. For some reason, she is fixated on butterflies and on huskies (though the huskie is explained easily by her best friends... )

She loves arts and crafts and saw on tv where you trace your hand to make a turkey... she insisted on doing that over and over again!!

Swine Flu Quarantine

For the past two weeks, our home has been under the influence of H1N1.... First Allie got sick, spending five days with fever, chills, cough and general crankiness.... then, she started to feel better. Just when we thought we were out of it, Shannon busted out with five more days of fever, chills, cough and general crankiness.
While in quarantine, the girls found some interesting ways to entertain themselves....



In order to get out of the house, we spent time on our deck where the girls could check on the doggies and get a little fresh air. (dont you just love girls in overalls??)


We played a lot of dress up....

And ate a lot of frozen go gurts... it was one thing they would eat and would give them a smile...

Both girls are getting better, fever free and bouncing off the walls... however, they both still have that yucky lingering cough!!

Happy Halloween

For Halloween this year, Allie dressed up like a dog, and Shannon was a cat.. they were super cute.

We let Allie go trick or treating for the first time, and let me tell you... she caught on quick and had a great time.

Then we came home to pass out candy.. another thing Allie enjoyed. She loved to answer the door and give out candy. Shannon just went along for the fun!!!

Mommy and Allie Night Out

Last night, I took Allie (along with some friends) to Portland to watch Disney on Ice. Knowing Allie, and her wonderful ability to understand the concept of time... I did not tell her til the morning of... and instantly she was excited (and, of course, ready to go hours before time to leave).... We got dressed up, and headed north with our friends. Sadly, I was too busy watching the complete amazement on Allie and the girls faces to take any pictures...but it was a wonderful show... and an amazing reminder at the wonders little girls (and boys) see in so many things. Their faces showed it all!

After the show, we stopped at Red Robyn for a bite to eat and a balloon!!!

We did take a couple pictures before we headed out... of course, Shannon wanted to be in on the fun of pictures !!!

Fall Fun with Pumpkins and Jenkins

We love fall. We have been outside whenever weather permits. So, as with most families right now, we headed off to the pumpkin patch to check out the goods, and pick some for our own carving and displays!!


Shannon seemed overwhelmed with the number of pumpkins and kept running from one pile to the next.




Allie, on the other hand, quickly chose the ones she wanted to bring home, then headed over to the hay maze.




After picking pumpkins, we had our friends over for some carving fun!! Funny, the girls picked the designs, helped a little, then moved on to play while us adults finished the work.



Lauren and Shannon decided to dance the night away....



Two of our finished pumpkins. Allie wanted the silly face, and Kendal wanted a huskie (of course).

Playing with Brett

We returned home from Texas to enjoy a visit with Brett, Uncle Mark and Aunt Kim. Allie and Shannon had fun "playing" with Brett. He is such a cute little guy.

Please note, momma is very close by in this photo..... Uncle Mark did not seem to enjoy this playtime.... but Brett went with the flow.



Too cute.

Texas

Allie, Shannon and mommy went to Texas to visit Aunt Paula and family (while daddy plays in the woods with Grandmadaddy). After a very long flight, we were excited to arrive and have five days to play with our cousins. Allie remembered Brianna and Deandre from their visit to Oregon...

We went to a restaurant where all the servers were dressed up as famous people/characters. Our server was tinkerbell, which the kiddos loved.


Though Allie and Shannon loved seeing their cousins, I think Shannon loved the critters best... Ferrets, guinea pigs, and a cat. What fun for Shannon. I think Allie loved playing the Wii best!!! She is quite the boxer!!


The San Antonio Children's Museum was pretty amazing.




There was a mini grocery store in the lower level that the kids had so much fun in!!





All in all, it was a great visit with family!!!