Happy Halloween 2011!

Happy Halloween! It has been a fun and busy weekend for the Martin clan. We started Saturday morning off by selling Girl Scout cookies. Yes, they are officially on sale in the Martin household and all immediate family have to buy 10 boxes and extended family 4-6 boxes! And you know who you are! HA!

Then, we all got in costume and headed into downtown Leavenworth for the store Trick or Treating. We are Safari Hunters and the girls are zebras. Yes, we are hunting are own children! Rich brought that to my attention! The girls enjoyed playing some games and trick or treating in and out of the stores.

We came home in time for Lydia's nap and then went to the Carousel Museum in the afternoon for their Halloween festival. The girls enjoyed the cupcake walk, crafts, balloons and face painting. Plus, you could ride the carousel as many times as you wanted...over and over again! I think my stomach had enough after a few rounds, but the girls went on and on.

We put the girls to bed and went to the Maguire house for the adult Halloween party.
It was so much fun hanging out by the firepit chatting with old friends. The dancing in the smoke was fun too although I was a bystander. I am not as young as I used to be- no comments from the friends or family. :) Drinks, good friends and good food...what a fun night!

Finally, the night of Halloween arrived! We had a little neighborhood potluck in my garage before hitting the street. I made Hotdog Mummies, Pizza Face Mummies and Turkey Meatloaf Pumpkins. We also enjoyed chicken tortilla soup, pumpkin spice dip, bat wings and other goodies from the neighbors. Everything was so delicious! YUMMY! Thanks for everyone contributing to make it a fun Halloween dinner!

The girls enjoyed trick or treating this year in the neighborhood. It is no joke trick or treating on post..the kiddos are out for blood! Blood in the amount of 15 bags of candy! WHEW! The girls went out for about an hour or so and then came back to hand out candy until we completely ran out. YES! It was a little chilly tonight in Kansas, but we managed at 57 degrees. No laughing from my friends in Texas considering it was probably in the 70s!

Happy Halloween and good night all my little ghosts and ghouls!

Julie

Carolyn's Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch

Who doesn't enjoy another wonderful sunny Saturday morning at a pumpkin patch? The whole family did today! This pumpkin patch had so much to offer and we spent about four hours touring the farm. It is in Liberty, KS which is about an hour from Fort Leavenworth. But, it really was worth the drive this morning. For those of you who live here, then you know everything is an HOUR away! HA!

The girls enjoyed the whole adventure. They rode the train twice, went down barrel slides (red and blue), rode the pony swings, dug for Dinosaur fossils, went on a hayride, went through several corn mazes, went through the petting zoo, had their face painted, tried to lasso a bull and I am probably forgetting the rest. And what morning is complete at the farm without a good old fashioned pig race too? Miss Piggy sadly lost!

Rich even enjoyed the pumpkin doughnuts and homemade fudge. Okay, I did nibble on one or two doughnuts myself...but, don't hold it against me! :) They were amazing and even still warm when I bit into one this morning in the brisk 60 degree weather. YUMMY!

Enjoy the fall and all it has to offer! Love you all!

Julie

Lillian Turns 7 in Mrs. Blain's Classroom!

Today we celebrated Lillian's 7th birthday at school. It was so nice to have Mrs. Blain invite us into the classroom after lunch. We brought cupcakes- purple ones! Of course, Justin Beiber's favorite color! Lillian also got to stand on her desk while her whole classroom sang Happy Birthday to her. She couldn't wait to stand on her desk, but she told me not to worry since Mrs. Blain would be holding her! :)

Lydia got to sit at a desk too. Lydia loved all the extra attention from the older kiddos. Then, Mrs. Blain asked if Lydia would like to stay to play a game of Four Corners. How sweet was that? Lydia and Lillian both loved it and we got to play two games.

Then, school had to start up again with lots of work. On Monday, the principal will announce her birthday during the morning announcements and Lillian will get a book. This birthday is going on FOREVER this year and she is getting spoiled rotten!

So, tomorrow Lillian officially turns 7 years old. The BIG day will FINALLY arrive in the household. Lillian is really growing up and amazes me everyday. She is so bright and beyond her years. I just keep telling her to enjoy being who you are at this age and don't worry about being any other age. She enjoys her friends, being in 1st Grade, loves her teacher, and still loves to dance. She joined Dance Team this year and started taking jazz classes on top of tap and ballet. She really is something else and I am thrilled I get to watch her grow up everyday! Mommy loves you Lillian and enjoy being 7 years old!

An Angel Left Her Wings

I have this little angel. For me she left her wings.
She has no idea how much happiness she truly brings.
She brightens up my days with her smiles and her laughs.
She helps me to remember all the blessings that I have.

Her face, it is so perfect, she's sweet and soft and pure.
Sometimes she can be willful and sometimes she is demure.
She tries her very hardest to please and do what's right.
She gives the greatest hugs from morning until night.

Every person that has known her sees this light within her soul
I know that in this whole great world, she has a special role.
She's helpful and considerate to everyone she knows
This light in her shines brighter as my angel grows.

When she sees someone is sad, it opens up her heart.
She wants to do all that she can; she wants to do her part.
She'll squeeze away the sorrow and make me forget about my pain.
She shows me where the sun is when we're hiding from the rain.

I know that God must love me, He showed me with His Grace
I knew just how completely when I saw my angel's face.
And in that very moment when she came into my world,
I knew that she was so much more than just my baby girl.

She would be my sunshine, with a sweetness that won't end.
And when she grows up one day she would be my closest friend.
She would be the reason I would always try my best.
For my little angel baby girl would be my greatest test.

When God entrusts to you an angel, who has left her wings for you.
Encircle her with love with everything you do.
Let her know God made her, and that He trusts you with her care.
Be sure to make time for special moments with her to share.

And when at night she finally says her prayers and goes to sleep
I Thank Him for my angel, and ask for him to always keep
A watchful eye and hand to protect her from this world.
Protect my little angel; protect my baby girl.

Love you all!

Julie

Weston Big Red Farm

This morning was a gorgeous morning in Kansas! It actually felt like fall and not too cold, but a brisk 57 degree morning. We went to Weston this morning with Lydia's Parents As Teachers group. We always enjoy the Fall season and going to pumpkin patches. We also love this farm in Weston. They always do a great job with the pumpkins and all their activities!

The girls enjoyed visiting with all the animals this morning. They saw the chickens, pigs and goats. Lillian and Lydia also went on a pony ride. Lydia rode Bulls Eye and Lillian had Sweet Pea. I think they could have rode those ponies all morning long, but it was time for their turn to end.

We also rode on the hayride and went out to the pumpkin patch. Each girl found the exact pumpkin they wanted and we rode the tractor back to the main farm. We also picked out a few more pumpkins and corn stalk for the front porch. Time to decorate this afternoon!

Love you all!

Julie