~The Presents~

I love taking pictures of the girls opening presents because it's so neat to go back and remember where things came from.  Aylah was very excited about her presents this year.

It was love at first sight when Aylah opened up her puppy.

Grace immediately found her big ole' bear full of animal cookies.

The Helton's gave Aylah a basket full of Mountain Dew and some delicious snacks, plus a new toothbrush to make sure she doesn't get any cavities after eating all that candy.

Barbie water park for the bathtub.  Aylah put this together immediately when we got home and played with it for a very long time in the bathtub that night.

Jim gave Aylah a little unicorn and Grace is opening a baby with a pacifier.

Gracie is giving daddy "the look".

Grace is loving on her babies, one sings the itsy bitsy spider...it's so cute!

~Blowing out the Candles~

~The Party~

The party was so fun.  Aylah said, "Oh, I loved it"!

My sweet little mermaids.

Grace had fun, but she spent most of the party just doing her own thing.

I asked Aylah to pose like a mermaid and this is what she did.  I think she is getting ready to dive in to the sea.

Lyric and Mallorie are creating their fish.

Grandma is loving on Caleb during the party. 

I'm not sure what Grace is doing, but this is just too cute.

Aylah and Avery standing in front of her seaweed name.

Balloon games.

Grace found a bag of apples and helped herself.

Grace is now 2 years old.  Aylah is now 5 years old and Caleb is almost 3 months old.  Mommy and daddy are in our younger 30's :)

~Under the Sea Decorations~

Aylah chose Ariel...Under the Sea for her birthday theme this year.  She was excited to have her party with Gracie as well.  Mike and I decorated for the party at the church while grandma stayed home with the kids.

Everyone created their own fish when they arrived at the party.

Yummy cupcakes.

Our version of seaweed on the wall and waves from the ceiling.  Aylah also wanted to bowl, so Mike set up a bowling lane at the other end of the room.

Aylah's name in seaweed form.

~Playing around the House~

We try and stay at home as much as we can because I get a lot accomplished when we are home and because it's just a little easier right now too.  I've been trying to spend special time with each of the girls lately, especially since they have been so wonderful and patient with Caleb.  I have really enjoyed it.

Arrr Matey Aylah.

Hiding under the piano and playing with her balloon.

~Looking Up~

Caleb is starting to lay on his tummy more and more.  He really likes it if we lay down beside him and talk to him and occasionally lean over and give him kisses.

Caleb is one week away from being 3 months old.

~Let it Snow~

Our first snow for the year.  Aylah was very excited to wake up with snow on the ground.  It didn't  last all day, but she had fun playing in it while it lasted.  Grace played outside for about 30 seconds and then she was "all done".

~Noah's Ark~

They have officially started "teaching" in Grace's class at church and they are studying Noah's Ark for the month of November.  Grace is putting her animal stickers on the ark at home, since she didn't finish at church.

~Crossing Cool Creek~

Mike and Aylah decided to cross the creek before we headed home. 

Steady...

Steady...

Steady...

Ooops.

~Cool Creek Trails~

We headed down to the Cool Creek Trails after playing at the park.  Aylah loved exploring, she had a great time.  Grace thought it was really cool too.  She loved walking through all the leaves trying to keep up with Aylah.  Caleb just slept in his little car seat.  When he was awake, he was busy smiling at his momma!

Aylah, Mike and Grace walking down to the creek.

Aylah found a vine to help her climb back up to the trail.

Standing in a hollow tree.

Grace on a trail, trying to catch up with Aylah.

Possibly the biggest squirrel I have ever seen.  I think she might be expecting.  Notice all the acorns she has gathered in front of her.