Pearly Whites

Sophie recently got her braces off {on her birthday to be exact} and that is something to really smile about!

Priceless!

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From my good friend Jennifer at Style Your Life

this news is too good not to share! 40% off site wide starting 10/28 through 11/1

Now this is what I call a sale! Time to get yourself those designer jeans!!

Use code 7FAMFF10 to save 40% site wide
www.7forallmankind.com

My girls.

I heard this song for the first time in a long while today. Every time I do, I think of my girls - how much I love them, how much I want for them.

Here is what is happening in our house right now:

and this: some of this: and a lot of this:

Where's Waldo?

Last night, Justin and I went to our first Halloween party of the season. We had a great time and even took home the coveted 'best costume' award {wink, wink}! During the party we had our palms read - a first for us. It was actually pretty accurate! Anyway, we went as Waldo & Wenda from the "Where's Waldo" series...can you spot us?

Waldo & Wenda!


Wenda & The UPS Lady
{aka Maggie & her dear friend Brooke}


With our friends and hosts,
Alejandro and Julia {aka Kurt & Julie}

And just a couple of our very favorites from the night:

A Fat Tink

Snooki & "The Situation"

This shirt - love it!

Having our palms read...




And finally...

Where's Waldo?

Our Spirited Child

I met with Mia's teacher today to discuss my "spirited child, with a zest for life." Her teacher could not sing her praises enough {not necessarily academic praises, but rather, those of her "exuberant personality"}! Below is just one example that she presented me with to illustrate this point. "I can just hear the expression in her voice as she tells me what she's going to write!"

Mrs. Salisbury exclaimed.

"My gosh! I'm looking at a rainbow!"

Other fine statements that Mia has apparently made in class that further illustrate her zest for life:
To her friend when he said something Mia found funny: "Oh Lance, you're just a big pile of cuteness!"

About her father when the kindergartners were discussing their dad's various hair styles:
John: "Well my dad doesn't have any hair."
Mia: "Oh yeah, well, my dad looks Mexican because his hair is really dark and he has a lot of it!"

Oh spirited child, what did we do before you entered our lives?

Hip, Hip Hooray - It's Orange Day!

Once a week, Mia's kindergarten class celebrates a specific color. Today is orange day...and that's something to jump for joy over!

A Happy Ending

As I am readying myself for bed, I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve. The anticipation of knowing that all of the Chilean miners are safely above ground is making it hard for me to settle down to sleep. I've watched eagerly as the first two were rescued and even cried tears of joy as the first man was reunited with his family. In a time when our news is saturated with sad endings, it's amazing to bear witness to such a dramatic story that has a rare, happy ending. Watching this broadcast it is difficult to not feel the joy and elation that the Chilean families and surely, their whole country, must be feeling. What a wonderful, heartwarming story!

"I think I had extraordinary luck. I was with God and with the devil. And I reached out for God," Sepulveda said (rescued Chilean miner).

A Star is Born!

Last week Hannah found out she got one of the lead roles in her upcoming choir Christmas musical. She is so excited! She got the part of 'Betty' a school janitor and "the best part," according to Hannah, is that she gets to faint at the end!

Hannah holding her book with what seems
like a million lines that she needs to memorize!

A brief overview of the musical:
It's the last day of school before winter vacation officially starts. Excitement fills the air with plans of tropical vacations, shopping at the mall, visits from relatives, NO homework for a while, favorite holiday meals and lots of presents! Everything is just right, including the beginning of a beautiful snowfall. SNOW!! Oh no! The snow keeps coming and vacation appears to be heading for disaster. Everyone may have to spend the holidays at school! Dinner cooked in the Science Lab? Shopping on the web? A musical perfect for all ages!

Cassie's Wedding

We are in Casper for our dear friend Cassie's wedding. Cassie was the first baby sitter we ever hired and has, over the last 11 years, become like a daughter to Justin and I. We love her dearly and so do the girls. She has known all of our girls since birth {OK, she's only known Sophie since she was 7 weeks old}. So you can imagine the elation when the call came in that she was engaged and the subsequent call that she would like all four of the girls to be in the wedding. Sophie and Hannah were junior bridesmaids and Bella and Mia were flower girls. Justin was the wedding photographer so, there will probably be another post later but, here are just a few shots of the girls in the hotel lobby before heading to the church. I know I may be a bit biased but, WOW! They looked GoRgEoUs!

Pretty Girls

Mia

Bella

Hannah

Sophie

Mom with her little ladies.

After the big day and all tuckered out.
{Bella is under the pile of blankets on the right}

Relaxing before crashing.

Small Successes

I didn't get to post my "small successes" on Thursday because I was on route to Casper but, I am feeling happy that I survived this week and am half way through what are two very grueling weeks for our family so I am feeling the need to post.

I am President of the PTO at the girl's elementary school. We are only in our second year and still a little unorganized so, it can be challenging at times. I have come to find that this volunteer position is extremely time consuming and rewarding the same time. Many of my successes this week revolve around PTO.

1. I successfully led our PTO to write a {much needed} beautiful mission statement:

"As the Sage Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization, our goal is to help lift our students to a higher standard of learning. Parents, teachers and staff will come together with a common focus, to help each student reach their personal best. We will enhance their educational experience by providing: financial support through fundraising, support of teachers and staff, materials and opportunities for educational growth, and develop a closer connection between school and home by encouraging parent involvement."

2. I oversaw a very successful bake sale!

3. I drove the girls and I to Casper to get ready for a very dear friend's wedding. Sophie and Hannah are junior bridesmaids and Bella and Mia are flower girls in the wedding and Justin is photographing the wedding!

4. I went to work, made treats for Bella's birthday and took them to her class to help her celebrate; got the kids everywhere they needed to be; delegated some PTO duties; drafted and sent out multiple PTO letters; helped to put some final touches on a social event that I am helping to plan for a local woman's group and got everyone to CCD! HALLELUJAH!

The Wedding

Well right now we are in Casper for a wedding. Well our fitting is today. duh duh duh!!! Bella is very exited but yet at the same time, not really wanting to go. We are all very exited to see the bride, Cassie! She is our old baby sitter who we have known for like ever! We did not make it to the bridal shower because we went out to eat at Santa Fe for two days in a row and that got Mia very sick. So we are all exited,way too exited!!!!

Beautiful Bella Turns 8!

It's hard to believe it's been eight years since beautiful 'Belly Boo' entered our lives. She has brought such wonderful joy to our lives. Her spirit is uplifting; her laughter infectious! Below are some of the cutest shots of one of the cutest kids...

Happy Birthday Baby!