Halloween Fun

I wanted to share some pictures from Halloween. Emily went as Hannah Montana, Vinnie went as Captain Kirk. Kristen even dressed up as a baseball player to pass out candy. And Brian got into the action with is Spock shirt. It was a fun night! We don't have any pictures of Tony, but he was there. He passed out candy and had some friends stop by to help him out.

Here is a link to some photos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=156097&id=657663199&l=ca543261b7

Also, here are some photos from a few weeks ago when I took Emily and Vinnie to the pumpkin patch: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=150329&id=657663199&l=a46a08489c

Trick - or - Treat!

My stupid camera was acting up, so I got hardly any pictures from trick-or-treat night. Our friends, the Mandell's, came over to join us and Renae and I set out with the 4 kids while Brad and Brian passed out candy. For about 45 minutes we wound our way around parts of the neighborhood. Most of the time was spent yelling for Emily and Lydia to wait up for us and trying to navigate the stroller through the crowds. Vinnie didn't make a peep and slept through most of it!

We headed back to the house to trade off and let the guys take the girls out and the girls didn't want to go! Go figure! Worked for us as we don't need all of that candy in the house anyway.

Emily has fond memories of it and doesn't feel like she missed out on anything and she got to play with Lydia and Julia a bit more in the house. I think we can count this one a success too.

Pumpkin Carving

Tonight we carved pumpkins with the kids. We missed doing it last year due to scheduling, so it was fun to restart the tradition. Here is Kristen with her pumpkin.

I swear Tony was smiling before I asked him to look at the camera. Something has happened the past few years where Tony developed a not-so-rare condition where he is unable to smile for the camera. I guess as a teen you have a reputation to keep when it comes to family events.


Poor Vinnie did not get a pumpkin, but Emily shared her camera time with him. Maybe next year he can get a pumpkin of his very own.

Here is Tony's final result. He did a cool lion. Reminds me of a Lion King pumpkin.

Kristen, always the creative one, did not use a pattern and freehanded her design and then carved it.

Emily did a spooky pumpkin carving.

Now the neighborhood hooligans that have been smashing pumpkins late at night had better leave our pumpkins alone or we are going to have some upset kids on our hands. They put a lot of work into these and did a great job!

Fall Festival

Last night was the Fall Festival at Vinnie's daycare. Brian, Emily, Vinnie and I attended. Emily was thrilled to wear her halloween costume. She couldn't decide if she wanted to be a leopard or a cheetah. I think she was calling herself a cheetah. And can you believe she put that snake around her neck?

Vinnie just hung out in his lion costume. He was pretty overwhelmed by all the commotion, but "overwhelmed" in Vinnie just means very quiet.

The school held a raffle and we purchased some tickets. Shortly after we purchased our tickets they called one of our numbers. Emily went up to get the prize and they picked something perfect for her - a gift certificate for horseback riding lessons at the farm that is right behind our development. She was estatic!! It is for 2 private lessons or 4 semi-private lessons.

I thought it was cute as Emily's first reaction was that she was excited to tell her first grade teacher!

Pumpkin Patch

Last Thursday Emily's school had a family night at a local pumpkin patch. It ended up that we got there late and had to leave early but we tried to make the best of it. Vinnie just hung out in his wrap and checked it all out.

Kristen tortured Tony - which is what she enjoys the most.

And Emily did the zip line: