A good friend of mine from church recently started making these ADORABLE hats (if you know me outside of the bloggin' world email me if you are interested in getting more information on purchasing one, two, three, four, or more. she puts a lot of sweet details in each one, and the cool thing is that they are all different because each one is hand made.)

Above you will find two of my girls modeling for momma. :)

Par-tae!.....

Candy hunting.

The cutest knight on the planet!

Did someone call for a fireman?

Eek!  It's a pirate.

Yup, even Aunt Amanda participated in the sack races. :)

J'man enjoying the sack race.

The "big boys".

Donut bobbing.

Dunk winding up for pin the stem on the pumpkin, while sweet M' watches.

Uncle T' after bobbing for apples.

Dunk racing for the finish line.

Dunk and Darlin' D.  Dunk was a ninja, and D' was....um.....not sure.  He came up w/this "look" on his own.  He sported his Chinese jammies, a light saber, and Chinese hat.  I like to call it his "signature look." :)

Call me crazy, but I thought it would be a splendid idea to have all of the little cousins over for a harvest party on Saturday.  If I counted correctly, I think there were 21 kids there.....17 who were under the age of 5 (give, or take 1, or 2).  It looks far more intimidating when writing that! : )  I think they all had a fun time because most of them were either sweatin' like crazy from running around the "track" upstairs, or smiling from ear to ear while eagerly awaiting Auntie S's "low budget" game time.  We had sack races, bobbing for apples, bobbing for donuts, pin the stem on the pumpkin, "who's your mummy?", candy find, and some free play.  I am NOT creative, but I have learned over the years that kids really don't care what they are doing as long as the reward of candy, or a treat is offered.  The weather cooperated (no rain), too.  Thanks to all who came!  Auntie S' had just as much fun as the kids did!

From my garden....

My favorite flowers are tulips and hydrangeas.  Fortunately for me, we happen to live in the tulip capital of our state (fields w/in miles of our house!!) AND I have many hydrangeas in  my yard.  Yesterday, I told my boys to go pick me some flowers, and this is what they came back with. I  LOVE all the different colors in them!  Way to go VK boys!!!  Someday, you two will make your wives very happy if you keep up the good work. : )

Baby chubs, the budding food critic....

I love watching my baby try new foods. Her facial expressions are priceless! Tonights menu....potatoes and carrots.  So far, L' has tried potatoes, carrots, squash, yogurt, pears, applesauce, sweet potatoes, cereal, oatmeal, and bananas.  I would say that our most successful food so far is mashed potato. She is pretty fond of playing in everything (ie. more food on her, the tray, the floor, etc.), but not so fond of the tastes.  She is starting to get the hang of things now, and she is especially fond of the spoon.

babies, babies....everywhere!

  One of the benefits of being part of a big family is that there is never a shortage of babies to hold. In fact, I think that for the past few years someone has been pregnant, or "paper" pregnant. This year, the VK family welcomed 3 new ones into the family, and so far we are set for at least two more next year!  Congratulations to my sister-in-law and brother-in-law on the birth of their beautiful daughter last week.  Welcome to the family, sweet baby girl!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to this adorable couple on the news that they are expecting their first baby in May.  That will make yours truly the proudest great aunt on the planet!  We are so EXCITED for them!!!

Just so I remember....

I sometimes use my blog to record important milestones in our family, so this post is more for me just so I remember.....

Today, Princess L cut her front bottom two teeth.  And, A' went in for a weigh in...up 3 pounds in 3 months.  I am thankful for butter!