Marissa is 2

We have been hearing for weeks about how "My birfday coming". Marissa has been so excited for all the fun a birthday brings.

Birthday breakfast. Candles in her pancake! She loved it.

She couldn't wait to have her cake.

And then the presents with all the fun helpers. We had 10 of her cousins there last night. Yeah it was definitely a little crazy but they had fun.


Blowing out the candles!


And finding her in the kitchen all by herself with a cupcake in her face! I guess the birthday girl can get away with that!

We love Marissa so much. She is such a sparkle in our family. I love the way she talks and the amazing way she learns. It is such a blessing to be her mother. Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Fall Leaves

This month started out pretty rough. Tanner and Josh got pretty sick with a horrible virus. Tanner missed a full week of school and Josh missed 4 days. It was NO FUN. I wanted to slip this picture in here because I think it is really sweet to see Dawson taking care of his sick brother by reading to him. I love those moments!

And then the leaves. We get so many leaves every year. I am just so glad we have lots of boys who are good helpers to get them back to the garden. But you have to have a little fun in them first!

Dawson diving in!



Daddy and his sweeties! Dancing and fighting over who Daddy's gonna dance with next!

Tanner lost another tooth! So funny because we were in the car and he was just pulling and twisting and finally pop! He was very excited that he did it all on his own! And both bottom teeth are already coming in. He's growing up so fast. Dawson also lost another tooth. Tooth fairy is a busy lady around here.

And finally Marissa waiting for Daddy to get home!

Halloween Fun

Marissa didn't mind so much putting her hand in the pumpkin. Not that she liked it but she did it. Josh just really can't do it. I kept telling him to man up but it didn't change anything. Tanner definitely is our pumpkin gutter. He doesn't mind at all. Dawson does well too.

Here's hammer head! Josh and JD kept thinking of funny saying all night about hammers and nails. Clever boys! And Josh received numerous compliments on his costume. A lady even had him come in her house to show her husband. JD really nailed it on the head! It was his idea and he made it! Good thing Josh is a good sport!

Our Zombie - didn't look much like a zombie at school because no face paint allowed. But we gooped it on for trick or treating. Scary!

Marissa really doesn't like when Tanner wears his costume. She is always saying "scare me, scare me". And Tanner wore it two days straight. He loved being a scary skeleton!

And here is our poodle skirt barbie/pluto! She was pluto at the rec center Friday night but the barbie Friday morning and Saturday. Silly girl. She definitely likes changing her outfits!

Here's the full affect sideways - I don't know why it won't automatically change - that's lame huh!

Here they are right before the trick or treating!

And the loot! They each got 200 pieces of candy except Marissa. They were out for a little over two hours. Crazy candy boys - and to tell you the truth it's JD who tells them they can't come home till they have over 200 pieces of candy. Funny daddy! We all know who wants to eat it all! Fun times!