All the Halloween Hoopla

I guess I better get these pics up before the sugar rush wears off.

A two-year old firefighter's version of Cheese.

Tuck isn't sad in these pictures. He was in robot mode.

The little girlie followed in her brothers' footsteps...

...although they filled out the costume a little better. (In Luke's defense, he was two months older at his first Halloween than Tucker and Ruby.)

Even Ryan got in the spirit of things, tats and all.

And a happy Halloween it was!

Build Up to the Big Day

Halloween is a blast with kiddos and I love all the fun things there are to do even before the actual day. We had fun this month...

...at a local nursery that puts out great, FREE (mostly) Halloween activities and displays...

..at one of the area's many corn mazes. I never realized how much fun can be had with corn. You can use it as swords...

...get lost in it....pretend to eat it...

...and roll around in it. Who knew?

But nothing can really compare to the joys of a good 'ole bouncy slide.

...to Snow

It's not even Halloween yet and we've already had three snowfalls! Hello, fall, where did you go?

This was our first snow. We didn't get a ton but it was COLD! We decided it was finally time to get the boys equipped with proper snow gear.

These two will probably be playing in the snow a lot together. Or else Leah and I will be pulling our hair out trying to keep them entertained inside.

And our next snowfall! Luke just couldn't get enough on his tongue.

I'm glad Ryan takes them out so I don't have to!

Hugging and kissing the snowman.

Licking the snowman??

Whose idea was this anyway?

Gleefully choking the snowman.

And now we're in the midst of snowfall #3. I don't have pics of it yet because it's still snowing and blowing. It started snowing on Tuesday night and now it's Thursday morning and it's still snowing! Luckily I don't really mind it because Colorado will typically go back to some sunny, slightly warmer weather before too long. For now, we're getting cozy at home and I'm finally blogging some more! (Don't miss the post below!)

From Sun...

Wasn't this just yesterday?

I said I was enjoying the change of seasons this year, but seeing pictures like these already makes me ache for the warmth! Especially as I look outside to 15-20 inches of blowing snow. Ahhh, summer, don't stay away long!

The boys spent the majority of their time this summer playing with these girlies. (Sorry to cut out cute little Audrey!) We've loved living close to the Harrises but it was especially fun this summer as these four ran back and forth from house to house and all around the neighborhood. They pretty much think they rule the place like a local gang. It's been fun for them. And fun for me to have their mom to chat with. Now we'll just have to think of some indoor activities for us all to do together without going crazy.

Fall is Good, I've Decided

More proof that the Colorado way has grown on me: I'm totally loving fall this year!

I've never been a fan of fall before. All it meant was the end of summer, which I love, and the approaching onset of winter, which I hate.

But this year is different. I'm loving the cooler weather and all that it means: getting cozy by a warm fire, baking yummy, pumpkiny, fallish goodies, sleeping with lots of covers on and seeing the colors!

We drove up Mt. Evans a few weekends ago to see the leaves. We were a little early in the season so the aspens weren't quite as spectacular as they probably were a week or so later. They look even less gold in these pictures. Still, it was a beautiful and fun day. Love these mountains! I've always been a beach girl, but there's just a clean and crisp feeling about the mountains that I just love. And they're so awe-inspiring.

This kid loves to throw things--rocks, balls, toys, books, clothes. Ryan's proud; I'm not too fond of such objects flying around the house, though.

Here's Lukie two years ago on our '07 trip to Mt. Evans.

He's changed a bit. We thought this was the same rock, but now I'm thinking no. Oh well, you get the idea.

And, of course, the little lady. I love how she tucks her lower lip in like that. Cute.