Happy Halloween

I think our Halloween lasted for about a week this year.  First we celebrated Trunk or Treat at Emma's school. Emma really enjoyed getting to see her friends and teachers and trick or treating all around the parking lot.

Anna Claire thought she was about ready for some candy.  Silly girl, she got puffs instead!

Saturday we took the girls to a Halloween carnival in Collierville.  It wasn't that big but there were some games, face painting, candy, etc.  There was also a haunted trail for the older kids.

Finally Halloween day...

Better late than never!!

Official Walker

This video was taken on October 26th.  I guess we can officially call her a walker.  She will turn 9 months on 11/4 so this was about a week before 9 months.

Our Weekend

This weekend we went over to the river to enjoy some fishing, football and relaxation.  The girls traveled over with MiMi and Daddy Mac on Friday morning and Bradley and I went after work.  Bradley caught some fish while we were there-I tried but failed!  

Emma highlight of the trip was getting the Lion King-I think she has watched it 10 times and riding the new tire swing.  My parents got the tire swing about a year ago but Emma is just now old enough to hang on a ride so we got it all hung up this weekend and she really enjoyed riding!  

Fall Pictures

We got some fall pictures of the girls done last week.  I am so happy with the way they turned out!  These are just from my sneak peak so I can't wait to see the rest.  

Can you believe I have blogged the last few days in a row...maybe I am getting on a roll again.  Or maybe our lives are slowing down some-I think I am just learning how to balance better!  When I look back at the last year I have taken a new job, we have added a new member to our family and I have taken on more responsibilities with my Pi Phi position.  While I am loving everything that I do I think it just took a while to get adjusted.  I made a big change at the house this week and moved all of my sewing stuff into Emma's playroom, now I think I will call it our multi purpose room!  She likes me being in there with her in the evenings and it helps me feel like I am not leaving Bradley to take care of her while I sew.  Tonight we have big plans to make her a pumpkin shirt-she said she wants a pink pumpkin with a red handle!  We will see who wins on the fabric choices. 

Also this week I decided I would stop drinking soft drinks.  I felt like I was drinking too many and they had sugar I didn't really need.  I don't buy them for our house but I was having them when we ate lunch and also when we go out to eat, which is a lot. So far so good-it is Thursday and I haven't had a soft drink yet!  I have been drinking unsweet tea because I need the caffeine.  Next up is eliminating the caffeine-I know I can do it, it is just a matter of dealing with the headaches for a few days.  

So I recently read this book-Strength Finders.  It talks all about learning to capitalize on your strengths and not your weaknesses.  Has anyone else read this?  You do this online quiz-takes about 30 minutes and then it gives you your top 5 strengths.  When my strengths popped up I wasn't surprised in the least-Achiever, Harmony, Maximizer, Arranger and Adaptability.  I have only read about the first two but they are pretty much spot on!  If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it.  Pi Phi actually got me the book so I could learn about working with all types of people but it is funny how you can apply it too all aspects of your life.  There is a sentence in the Achiever section that says "You feel as if every day starts at zero.  By the end of the day you must achieve something tangible...It pushes you to do more...It brings you the energy you need to work long hours without burning out."  I felt like that pretty much sums up where I am right now.  I feel like I am doing so much, yet I wouldn't change a thing about our lives.  Oh, and if you really know me you can probably guess where I got that Achiever strength because that sentence pretty much sums up someone else I know!

Just a Day in the Park

A few weeks ago I had to go to St. Louis for the weekend.  My flight didn't leave until later on Friday evening so we took the girls to the park before I headed to the airport.  Emma loves the swings and I think AC is going to be just like her!  I love her snort laugh in this video.  I have to say it was a perfect way to spend a Friday afternoon.  I one point all three of us girls were just swinging away enjoying the beautiful weather.  What was Bradley doing...pushing the girls, of course!

First Steps Video

Thought I would add some video proof!

8 months

This little crazy turned 8 months today.  She also started taking some steps.  I knew I needing to document this milestone on the blog since this is the only way of keeping track.  No promises on more frequent blogging but I am going to try