O Christmas Tree.

This was the first year that we decided to cut down our Christmas tree. The past few years, we've gotten a live, already-cut tree but made the decision to start a new tradition this year.

We lucked out and had a beautiful Saturday to do it in early December so after breakfast we headed to the tree farm to find our perfect tree.

I had to get a pic with the kids and the "deer sign"! For the past few months, Gav points out every deer sign he sees along the road. When we ask him what that sign means, he rattles off his scripted answer, "If there's a deer on the road, we not run into it with our car."

Heading to the trees...

Love those smiles!

They found some leftover pumpkins and they were thrilled!

Looking over the chosen tree!

Cutting her down...

And taking her home...

Halloween.

I've been a serious blog slacker. Not a lot of free time lately. This is busy photo season so I've been shooting and editing like crazy. My own photos have fallen to the wayside. I will slowly try to dig myself out of the hole but it may not happen since December is right around the corner! Whaa?!

So before we celebrate Thanksgiving, it's only right that I first share some of our Halloween fun.

This year the kids decided to be Jessie & Woody from Toy Story. Kylie decided early on that Jessie was the ideal choice (after a short Strawberry Shortcake consideration). Gav quickly made the executive decision then that he needed to be Woody. As a mommy of a girl and boy, I never get to put my kids in matchy clothes, so this was a moment.

They looked so cute!

Gav got to dress up for Kylie's preschool party, and if you couldn't tell from the gigantic "cheese" smile... he was thrilled!

That's the cutest Sheriff Woody I've ever seen.

And, he knows it.

Next up: Jessie the Cowgirl!

Love my little cowgirl!

At school, the kids got to "trick or treat" at the church offices.

Decorating their cupcakes for snack.

Unfortunately, we missed our neighborhood trick or treat (we were out of town for a wedding), so we decided to crash another neighborhood on the 31st so that the kids could do a little trick or treating. They didn't get to do it with their friends but they still had a great time!

Love this one! They ran up each driveway side-by-side and sometimes hand-in-hand!

(Note: Daddy's awesome wig-making skills!)

I think Gavin thought it was Neighborhood Candy Sweep. He literally sprinted from house to house like he was being timed.

One of my favorite photos ever!

My babies.

Questions for Kylie.

An interview with Kylie:

1. What is your favorite color? Pink

2. What is your favorite toy? Barbie

3. What is your favorite fruit? Apple

4. What is your favorite vegetable? Carrots

5. What is your favorite dessert? Ice cream What flavor? Strawberry

6. What is your favorite restaurant? Yours Truly

7. What is your favorite book? A farm book

8. What is your favorite show? Adventures of Chuck the Truck

9. What is your favorite movie? My Little Pony

10. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Ride my bike

11. What is your favorite thing to do inside? Play with my Barbies

12. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

13. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Sunny my doggie, my barbie, and my stuffed "aminals"

14. What do you want to be when you grow up? A Barbie store owner to give people Barbies

15. What is your favorite thing to do with daddy? Play CandyLand

16. What is your favorite thing to do with mommy? Play crafts

17. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? French toast

18. What is your favorite thing about preschool? Playing at the park

19. Where is your favorite place to go? Family bike ride

20. What makes you happy? When I lay on the couch and watch a show and when I have a snack.

:)

5 candles.

Celebrating Ky's 5th birthday.

A couple days before her birthday, Kylie got to be the "leader of the day" at school.

Gavin and I got to go to school that day, too. Any day that Gav gets to tag along to preschool, is an excellent day in his book!

Snack time is a favorite time for this kid.

He was the last kid at the table. Finishing every last crumb before getting up.

On the morning of her birthday, Kylie was greeted with balloons and streamers... and one very excited brother!

She requested french toast for her b-day breakfast.

After breakfast she got to open a few gifts from the neighbors!

A Barbie! Score!

My big 5 year old!

So excited about her cookies from daddy!

She requested nachos for lunch! The girl loves her some cheesy nacho chips!

And once again, excited little brother is in on the action, too!

Finally, it was time to celebrate with some family! We had a Strawberry Shortcake birthday party this year. She decided about 6 months ago that that was the party she wanted to have. In typical Kylie fashion she informed me a few days before the party that she had changed her mind; actually a Barbie party is what she wanted. Sorry, sister, but we stuck with the Strawberry Shortcake theme. She did, however, get a very pink Barbie cake!

Lots of berries for our chocolate fondue!

Cannot believe that this girl is F-I-V-E!!

With her very proud daddy!

And proud mama!

Singing "Happy Birthday" and enjoying JJ's very enthusiastic version!! Sooo funny!

The 6 grandkids with their great grandma Judy & great grandpa Sam.

The 6 with great grandma Betty.