Halloween 2013

I am behind (by about nine months) when it comes to blogging....but slowly and surely, I will make some progress.  Life is so busy.  It's so difficult to find time to sit down and blog.  I love the journaling, pictures and documentation.  Looking back - the blog is so beneficial.  So if you are interested in reading about what we did and how we felt 

three seasons ago

this is the blog for you!  Ha ha.  

Halloween is so fun!  We had an UNDER THE SEA theme in the fall of 2013.  I appreciate that Jody is willing to dress up and have a good time. Gracie and Sienna look forward to the family themed costumes, and get a kick out of seeing mom and dad in character. 

Jody went as Prince Eric (look at that black hair...who is that guy?!?!?!) Gracie was Ariel, I was Ursula the SeaWitch and Sienna wanted to be Flounder.  Everyone was happy.  I was somewhat expecting Sienna to throw a fit about not being Ariel - but she didn't care.  My friend from Junior High sewed this custom-made Flounder the Fish Costume for Sienna.  She loved it!!!  Not only did it keep her warm, but the details on this costume are so cute!   

The weather was perfect, and the girls had a blast Trick or Treating!

My mom bought this Candy Corn outfit for Sienna -
perfect for a little girl who loves tu-tu's!

Before the Spooky Holiday - we had a party with some friends in our neighborhood.

Ben * Pete * Scott * Jody 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

There were games (who knew balloon popping could be so potentially dangerous?)  When the dart or knife (seriously - what were we using?!?!) bounced back and sailed right by Jessica's face...then we knew the party was getting real -- No one was injured.

Bekah * Brittany * Brooke * Lindsey 

There was dancing (Bekah Ackerman - even pregnant and dressed as a 1st Mate - had some killer moves), spooky stories, chilling drinks and frightening food. 

Papa and Grandma Tait stopped by for a visit before they left town for California.  

Uncle Michael and Gracie 

Grandma Wiscombe put together quite the legit witch costume!  

If You're Happy and You Know it...Jump for Joy.

Summer brings so many fun things.  And a 

Backyard Barbecue with Friends

...always tops the list!  We get the families together, the kids play, the husbands grill, and us girls chat, laugh and bust out our veteran cheerleading skills.

Look at these girls!  They are the most genuine, kindhearted, funny, and lovely girls.  We've all been friends since high school.  We have lived through crazy boyfriends, bad hairstyles, heartbreak, joyous surprise and everything in between.  I admire these women.  They have all had their individual trials, and they have triumphed through them with grace.  We don't see each other often enough, but I am thankful for their presence in my life.

Cute Annika and Hair Face

Cute Annika and oh...there I am!

Annika and I both cheered back in the day.  The technique may be a bit off...but we certainly still have the pizazz and energy.  

Baby Shower

My dear friend, Melinda is expecting a BABY BOY!  
We are all so happy for her.  Cathy and I threw her this Baby Shower.  

Melinda has wanted to be a mother for years now.  Doctors couldn't figure out why she couldn't get pregnant.  But now a little miracle is just weeks away from joining their family.  We know she will be a great (and super energetic/fun) Mom.  In fact, with Melinda as his mom, Baby Gavin will probably learn to 

Break Dance 

before he speaks his first word!

8 Months Pregnant - and still light as a feather!  

Melinda & Caroline 

Cathy *Brittany * Melinda * Annika * Ashley 

It was fun to catch up with good friends and wish Melinda our best.  

We are tickled Pink...Blue for her!

Murder Mystery Cruise

Jodes and I had SO much fun at our friend's Murder Mystery Party! Jody's character was Ethan Cruz, the charming and wealthy executive. And I was Phoebe Abuelos - the contestant eliminated from Top 5 on the Cruise Ship Pageant. As I was deciding what to wear to dress for my part, Jody kindly reminded me I have a gleaming pant suit that screams Send me to Emerald City in the back of my closet. Perfect. No looking needed. The pant suit was a hit. Jody adorned himself with lots of man jewelry - also a hit.



The Girls



The Boys


And this, by far, is my favorite picture of the night. Ben ran across the shot - as we all said Cheese!


I, and two others, solved the mystery. Phoebe was on her game that night!

Age is Just a Number...

Earlier this summer, some of my best friends and I stayed up in Salt Lake City for a Girl's Night Out. These girls are the friends with whom I confided most during those college years when I was making monumental decisions that would direct the path of my life. They are amazing women...and it's safe to say that when we get together - we tend to get borderline silly...okay downright hilarious!!


Let's rewind to before the outrageous jumping tricks began...We had some InCreDiBLe desserts at the Hotel Monaco downtown. So Good!!


* Cathy * Melinda * Brittany *



After a great sit-up/push-up workout organized by Cathy, we were ready for a relaxing night of uninterrupted sleep with no children. But then this happened...






Hmmm...not sure how I didn't break my neck on this one.


This is Cathy laughing SO hard at HOW ridiculous we look!


We finished off the outing with facials at a Day Spa the next morning. Thanks Jody for watching the girls so that this could happen!

No Bears Allowed!

We set out for a fun weekend of gooey marshmallows, lots of dirt, a star-filled sky and laughing around the campfire with great friends.


Jody making some gourmet crackers with jalapeño jelly spread.




* Jessica * Brittany * Lindsey *

The S'mores and Hotdogs were sublime.

{Hmmm...Ben whatcha doing back there?!}

*Waking up in Nature* Both Sienna and Gracie really liked camping. And sleeping in a tent with two little ones...not bad at all! The Pack and Play even fit inside our tent. Gracie slept like a log. I don't think she moved once all night. And Sienna...well. She usually doesn't sleep through the night at home anyway - so getting up with her, in the tent, was no big deal.

*Giving Kisses*