Halloween

Before Halloween we decorated our pumpkins :-) This year we tried something new...my mom gave us this set of pumpkin decorating pegs that you hit with a wooden mallet into the pumpkin to make a face or design after scooping out the insides of the pumpkin. It was fun for the girls because they could participate and then when we were done we lit them up with candles and the pegs glowed!!! The girls really enjoyed it and Brian did too!!

On Halloween we went trick-or-treating in our neighborhood with the girls and then went home and handed out candy. After trick-or-treating hours were over, we watched "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" (one of Olivia's favorite movies) and the girls enjoyed some of their Halloween treats.

Every year we get them a book for each of the holidays. The girls love books so it is fun adding to their library.

My little cupcakes :-)

My 26th Birthday

On October 28th I officially turned 26!!! I started the day off by going to Ihop for scary face pancakes for breakfast with the girls. When Brian got home from school we got ready and went to meet everyone for dinner. I chose Buffalo Wild Wings because I had such a taste for their honey BBQ chicken sandwich!!! We met my Mom, Katie, Denton, and my mother-in-law there and enjoyed a nice family dinner. They spoiled me with presents and even sang to me over Key-Lime pie :-) I love birthdays and even though I am an adult I still get such joy out of celebrating birthdays. My whole family makes a big deal of everyone's birthday and the entire day I received phone calls and birthday cards from all of my extended family. My grandma and grandpa always call me and sing to me; it is so adorable. I am very fortunate to be surrounded by a family that is so loving :-) My mom always made sure our birthdays were spectacular and memorable which is why I always try to wish everyone a "Happy Birthday" on their special days too.

Breakfast with the girls...

Pictures before dinner...

My birthday dinner...

Olivia made me this beautiful coloring page and even wrapped it,

it was so cute :-)

And Brian surprised me with these adorable rain boots (perfect for Chicago weather)!!!

Singing "Happy Birthday"...

Family picture...

Thank you everyone for coming to celebrate my birthday :-)

Halloween Party

The Saturday before Halloween we hosted our first Halloween party!!! I have always wanted to throw a Halloween party and this year I finally did it. We had a small little party with close friends and some family members. Costumes were mandatory and I was so excited to see that everyone got creative with their costume choices. Brian and I dressed up as Bakers and the girls were cupcakes (he actually came up with this idea months in advance and I thought it would be so cute). The kids had so much fun and they loved seeing everyone dressed up. We served appetizers and desserts (all Halloween themed), which my mom and I made. My mom also made a delicious Halloween punch. We had a wonderful night enjoying our company and eating yummy treats. We even had a costume contest! I can't wait until next year so we can do it all over again :-)

Party Decorations & Treats...

Party pictures...