The Ever-Lasting Halloween

We have had three days of Halloween festivities! I am glad my wees are in the bed. They have to be exhausted! We started out with Friday afternoon and went trick or treating downtown. Then, Lily Wen had had her first elementary school dance. She won 2nd place in the Halloween costume contest for her age.

Lily Wen and Bailey

Olivia, Adeleine, Carson, Graeme, Lily Wen and Kyle
We ran into lots of friends while trick or treating.

The mermaid and the pirate

Saturday, we went to a party at our neighbor's house. The kids enjoyed a hayride, sack races, and lots of Halloween games.

Graeme loved the hayride!

They're off through the neighborhood!

Graeme trying to take a bite of the apple with no hands. It was Hysterical!!!!

Then, we met more friends where we took a hayride to the top of the hill so we could trick or treat on the way down. (That is our church in the background)

Carson and Graeme

Eliza, one gorgeous Tinker Bell!

Laura, Jasmine never looked prettier

Today, we went to the Fall Festival at our friends' church. More fun and time with friends!

My Ninja Warrier (he is trying to kick as high as his sis can)

Belle

Lily, Lily Wen and Graeme (When another child asked Lily what she was dressed as, she pointed to Lily Wen! So sweet!)

So this Halloween is done!

Graeme's Rockin 5th birthday!

It is so hard to believe that Graeme is turning 5 years old this week. It seems like just yesterday we met that scared little 2 year old in China. He is not scared anymore.....scary maybe but not scared! He wanted to ROCK his party and I'd say that he did!

My wee rocker!

Rockin'

The CAKE

Time to sing to the Rocker!

His movie from HIS CHINA!

It is really hard to tell if he had any FUN at all!

Just me and the wee boy!

They loved the skeleton glasses!Graeme and Cameron

2 Lilys

The bestest of friends and sweet Bailey peeking in the background!

Bailey and Lily Wen

As I just can't say enough, I am one blessed Mom! We had a great day! Happy Birthday Graeme!!!!!! I can't imagine my life without you!!!!

Life in Louisiana

After a relaxing week at the beach, we headed to Louisiana for a week with friends and family. I love going home. I love when I drive into the state and see the sign, "Beinvenue en Louisiane"! I instantly feel home. We had a wonderful week and the wee ones loved playing with their cousins (well most of their cousins...we missed seeing my brother and his family since they were on vacation the same week!...bad planning on my part!)

Here is sweet baby Cameron. He has changed so much since Christmas!

Lily Wen loved carrying him.

Stephanie, Holly, Shannon and me. We have not all gotten together in at least, 15 years. I have known Steph and Holly since elementary school and Shannon since middle school. There is something about being with girlfriends who know your whole history!

Each time we go to Louisiana, we visit with friends who also have daughters from China. It is amazing to catch up and see how our girls and guy have grown since the last visit. They are all so unique and BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

Hannah, Makenna and Lily Wen

Graeme, 4 years old, Hannah and Makenna, 5 years old and Lily Wen, 6 years old

Graeme holding baby Cameron

- The cousins!!!! Lily Wen -6, John Christopher -5, Graeme-4, Luke-3 and Cameron-8 months. There is never a dull moment with 5 under the age of 6 together at the same time. They really play well together and love each other so much. It makes me wish that we lived closer so weekend visits could be possible.

We enjoyed an afternoon of visiting with some of Papa Jim's family as they are now forever a part of our family too. I don't think Matt realized that he would be attacked by all the wees when he came by to visit. They LOVED it and he survived!

So the one thing I have not missed about Louisiana is the heat. It was HOT, HOT, HOT while we were there. The heat index on one day was 115! The kids wanted to be outside most of the time so creative water play was needed!

Sharing a picnic to increase their energy!

We are already looking forward to November when we will see everyone again. They are coming north for the visit and we can't wait!

The rest of the beach pics!

As usual, I am way behind on posting!!!!! These are from our last few days at the beach.

The wees and Alison

Graeme and Mike...too funny!

I love this pic of Alison and her mom, Karen.

My cousin Mike and me

If the pool doesn't have a slide, make your own.

Graeme got into body surfing. He would stand where the waves hit him at his shoulders and throw himself into oncoming waves. It was hysterical!

After we left the beach, we went to Louisiana for another week. I have not even edited those pics. We had so much fun at the beach. I am ready to go back anytime!