Halloween 2009

Captain Hook, Wendy, Peter Pan & Tinkerbell's Tush!

We've had a fun couple of days leading into Halloween. The snow stopped Thursday afternoon, Joe got home OK and we were able to get back in the swing of things. On Friday afternoon, Joe watched the trio so I could take JP out for a fun afternoon. We first went to see the movie "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs", that was very cute. JP wore his costume to the movie because afterwards we headed over to Bass Pro Shop for some early trick-or-treating. It was a fun outing and JP was thrilled with the 23 pieces of candy (he counted them on the ride home) he received.

Today was a fun, busy day also. JP's babysitter from when he was little stopped by with some treats. He still loves Nonnie so much and gets excited anytime he gets to see her. Nonnie hadn't see trio since their 1st birthday and couldn't beleive how big they are getting.

This afternoon, JP & I carved the last of our pumpkins. Our neighbor Tracy has a pumpkin carving party every year and this year Joe & JP went. They worked hard on a headless horseman pumpkin that took so much time they were only able to get one done. I did most of the carving today while JP cleaned off the pumpkin seeds. He told me he's a better seed cleaner than carver!

I've lived here over 10 years and it still amazes me how quickly 20" of snow can disappear in our high altitude sunshine. The weather was perfect today, around 60 degrees and sunny. There is still a little snow left on the ground, but it turned out to be a perfect night to trick-or-treat. Peter Pan, Wendy & Tinkerbell stayed home with me to pass out candy. It was warm enough that we all stayed out on the porch until around 7pm. Their job was to say "bye-bye" to the kids when they left. Captain Hook & Dad made out very well gathering candy from our neighbors. When JP got home he had fun passing out candy. As usual, there were tons of people and we were out of candy by 7:50, but we love all the excitement this holiday brings!

Captain Hook & his homemade treat bag at Bass Pro Shop:




The Captain had to work on his shootin' skills!


Nonnie & JP


Watch out JP, someone's trying to move in on your girl!


Some very serious pumpkin carving business:


The best shot I could get of everyone!


Those 3 are always on the move!


Little Miss Tinkerbell:




My friends 5-year-old triplets stopped by: Emma, Ben & Josh - this was the first time my trio ever saw another set!


Looking at each other through the screen door is always fun!


The headless horseman!


JP was a very popular guy with that candy bowl!


Here's a couple videos:

Peter Pan trying to escape:

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Saying "bye-bye"!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Still Snowing!

It's Thursday morning & the snow is still coming down! 16" so far. They say we're ONLY going to get 3-6" more!

Fall Fun & a lot of SNOW!

We've been busy getting ready for Halloween around here. This year the kids are going to be Captain Hook, Peter Pan, Wendy & Tinkerbell. My sister gave me Reilly's old Tinkerbell costume and the plan was in motion. After a few good eBay purchases we are all set. Unfortunately, a big snowstorm blew in last night, looking to give us about 16 inches of snow, so Joe & I may be the only ones who get to enjoy the trio all dressed up. The weather is supposed to turn mild for Saturday, but I think there will be plenty of snow left on the ground.

Yesterday, I was able to attend JP's Halloween parade & party at school. His school is on fall break from Wed until next Monday, so they celebrated early. It was so nice to be able to see Joe and all his classmates. Everyone looked so cute in their costumes. I signed up to make the goody bags (which is right up my alley, of course)! The party was a success and all the kids seemed to have fun doing crafts & eating lots of sweets.

The trio had their 1st babysitter come over while they have been awake. Usually, when we get a sitter, we have them come right before 7pm as the babies are getting ready to go to bed. I knew they may cry a little when I first left, but also knew they would be in great hands with our good friend Sarah. Just as I was leaving, Miss Caitlin did start to get upset and throw herself on the floor crying- that was not a suprise at all. Sarah said she cried for about 15 minutes & then was done. She said the funny thing was that when she stopped it was as if Madison looked around and said, OK now its my turn, because she then cried for the next 15 minutes. But after that 1st 1/2 hour they all were fine. Ryan was just happy to have someone new to snuggle with!

Today we woke up to a snow storm. We knew it was coming, so it wasn't a surprise, it's just crazy to get so much snow in October. Joe is away on business & I got the biggest snow day treat of them all. I was able to sleep in until 7:45! I looked at the clock & 7:30 and couldn't believe noone had made a peep yet. Since JP is on vacation, we were able to relax and enjoy the day. He played in the snow for about 1.5 hours and had a blast. The babies were getting upset because they saw JP and kept saying "bye-bye, bye-bye", so I looked through tubs and tried to come up with some snow gear. I took them out for about 15 minutes and they had fun. I think if they were better bundled they would have played more. Better put that on my shopping list!

This afternoon, I put the babies in their cribs for an afternoon rest. I say rest, because they really need it, but these days they really only fall asleep about once a week for a second nap. After about 45 minutes of hearing them play, I went in and discoved Ryan standing there butt naked entertaining his sisters. He managed to take off his sweat pants & shirt and diaper. Luckily, there were no big accidents!

Tonight for dinner we made pizza & JP got to decorate it. He'd been wanting to make a pumpkin shaped pizza, so I gave him some green pepper, olives, and mushrooms and he got creative. I think it turned out pretty cute & yummy too! Unfortunately, Joe is stuck in Idaho due to flights being cancelled but hopefully we'll see him tomorrow afternoon!

That's it until Saturday, when we'll see what the weather brings!

Lining up to parade around to the Kindergarten & ECE classrooms:


Doing a Halloween craft:


Captain Hook got a little crazy with the glitter glue:


I not only create the products, I use them too! :)


Today at 2:00, 7" of snow & still falling


JP brushing off the pumpkins, he also looked for our newspaper, but never did find it!


The trio watching their brother:


Ryan loving the snow:


Thanks Heather for the snowsuit, Maddi looks pretty darn cute!


Poor Caiti, she got all the leftover pieces I found around!


Playing with big brother:


I'm so glad we got JP set up with a new hat, coat & gloves last week:


Everyone was clapping they were so excited:




Our little nudist:


JP called his creation a dog pumpkin!

Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday, we had an outing to pick out our pumpkins. It was unseasonably warm & the kiddos all had a great time running around. JP was the official picker outer for everyone. Here's some pictures from the day:

Our Beach Trip

Last week we headed to Amelia Island, Florida to spend the week with my family in honor of my parent's 40th anniversary. We lucked out with beautiful weather, a wonderful big house that fit the 15 of us nicely & the white sand beach right out our window. I'd love to say that it was a relaxing beach vacation, but with 4 kids (3 of them toddlers), it was just as much work as it was fun.

The flights there were pretty uneventful, thank goodness. We flew this trip with my brother & his wife and 1-yr old George. It always helps to increase the adult to child ratio! Madison did throw up all over me on our first landing into Atlanta. The girls motion sickness is getting to be a regular occurrence these days. After a change of outfits for both Maddi & Mom, we were able to get some lunch in Atlanta and then take a quick plane down to Jacksonville, where both my brother in law Steve and Dad came to pick us all up.

The house was great and a perfect layout for 4 families. Everyone had their own bathroom attached to their rooms and the bigger kids had a loft to sleep in. Joe & I got the master bedroom, but we did have to share it with the trio. My family was able to round up 4 pack & plays and 3 feeding chairs, so it made it a lot easier on us.

JP had fun playing with his cousins Reilly and Brendan. He also had fun during the week surf fishing, biking, going to the park, shopping with Mom, and of course the ocean. He would stay in for so long he looked like a prune when he got out. He loved the boogie board. He took a lot of wave crashes, but it didn't stop him. This was so nice to see for a kid that still doesn't like to get water in his eyes.

The babies loved the beach as well. They all looked so cute in their little bathing suits. The girls & George got to enjoy the beach much more than Ryan. By Wednesday, he was starting to get pretty sick. He & I had to sit the last few beach days out. Poor guy he was so miserable. On Friday, my sister, a pediatrician, prescribed him an antibiotic after looking in his ears.

The trip home was not so easy. Madison again threw up on the first flight. Air Tran had changed our reservations giving us a 3 hour layover in Atlanta. That along with a delayed flight meant over 4 hours to kill. Ryan, who did pretty well on the short flight had some major crying fits during the break in flights. The good thing was that once we were on he plane he immediately fell asleep. The girls were up the entire 3 hours and each had their fair share of breakdowns. But the real fun began when Ryan woke up. It was pretty much non-stop screaming for the final hour & 1/2. Yep, we were one of "those" families on the plane. I held Ryan at the back of the plane during much of that time. It was funny because since everyone kept coming back to use the bathroom and talking with us, toward the end of the flight people would come back and say "Oh, is he the baby with the ear infection?" Word travels fast around a plane I guess!

We were so happy to be home. Of course, Denver had a cold snap when we landed we were hit with a 70 degree temp drop. Brrr.

All in all, we are glad we were able to go and see everyone. We even had corned beef & cabbage on the final night to celebrate our O'Reilly reunion. As with any family vacation, it had its ups and downs, but we all have new memories to last us until we can get together again. - Which we're thinking may have to be a mountain getaway. The babies have now been on a total of 6 planes. Joe and I are thinking that total may remain the same for the next couple of years. We remember flying with JP during the 2's & 3's and we're thinking our sanity may not hold up with that multiplied by 3!

Happy guy Ryan before getting sick:


Caitlin & Madison:


Madison, Caitlin & Reilly


JP & Joe:


Action shot:


Morning walk with Pa:


Caiti & Nana in perfect sync:


Joe & Ryan:


JP checking out the fish in front of one of the shops:


Yum! Superman flavored ice cream:


The whole gang in our shirts Erin made:


Hanging out at the Atlanta airport:


The girls finally fell asleep:


Poor Ryan! Ear infections are no fun: