Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Vala's Pumpkin Patch (Better late than never!)

I feel like time is flying and I struggling to keep up with it. 
Sami has a countdown until her birthday which is a constant reminder that Christmas is coming. I just have to take deep breaths and eat M&Ms. 
I wanted to put in a few pictures about Vala's Pumpkin Patch. It is THE thing to do here in the Fall. Sami went there on a school field trip last year and loved it so much she asked us to take her again. We said "sure," until I saw the price. But we made sure we went this year. And even though the price is about the same as a small theme park, you actually get a small theme park there! It's pretty amazing. I can see why everyone talks about it. (If you are reading this, and you come see in October, we will take you there. It's worth the money and hype.)
 Jonathan had a unexpected morning off from work, and the girls were on Fall break, so it was the perfect way to spend a Fall morning together. (Then he had to go back to work, but hey! Beggars can't be choosers, right?)
 Lucy enjoyed feeding the goats. 
 They had really cool "shows." Mostly vegetables machines that sang songs. 

As I look at these photos, I realize how nice the weather was. 
Right now, as I am typing, it is freezing. There is snow on the ground and the wind is very cold. The garage is a life saver. 

And finally, I can't blog in November without recognizing National Adoption Awareness month. I can't express how thankful I am for adoption! It is truly miraculous and wonderful. I am so thankful that I have my Sami and Lucy (and Janie too, of course)!! I often ponder on the path our family has taken. It has been unexpected but wonderful. Hard at times too, but I wouldn't change it now for anything! Yay for adoption!!

Monday, November 3, 2014

Halloween

Halloween was super fun this year. My mom and sister came from Scottsbluff to see the girls in their school parade and to go trick-or-treating with us. 
Janie was SO excited to be in the school parade this year. She was Pocahontas. 


 Grandmas are special people. 
 Sami was Little Bo Peep. She was so cute. She had been sick a few days before and she wasn't feeling all that well on Halloween but was determined to push through for Halloween.

 Mom and I volunteered to help at the parties. Mostly just as an excuse to hang out and take pictures. 



 This is Sami's teacher, Mrs. Lombardo. Sami really likes her. 

 Janie got Mr. Greve. She loved him from afar last year and is thrilled he is her teacher this year. She covers her homework in XOs. He is a really nice teacher. 
 Lucy was Snow White. It's funny that my girls love Snow White because they have never seen Snow White, the movie. I turned it on one day and they were so scared I turned it off after five minutes. 
But Lucy made an adorable Snow White, if I do say so myself. 

 This is how Sami and Janie felt about trick-or-treating. 
 Lucy wasn't quite sure what we were doing at first, but boy, did she get into it!


 Happy Halloween 2014!!