Storybook Forest

Wills' second opportunity to wear his costume was tonight. We headed to Lake Arcadia and went to the Storybook Forest. We met up with the Fong family and strolled through the forest full of nursery rhymes and fairy tales. Wills had a great time!

 Waiting in line

 Parker and Wills

Hudson, Parker and Wills

The dish ran away with the spoon

His favorite part by far!

Two of the three pigs houses

Trying to pull the sword from the stone

Fishing

It was definitely a good thing we went early! They opened at 5:30 and we parked our car at exactly 5:30 and there was already a line to get into the park and then another line to get into the forest. I think it was well worth the wait and the $5 and I think Wills will have an even better time next year!

2nd Annual Halloween Party!

This afternoon Wills hosted his 2nd Annual Halloween Party. I had every intention of taking individual pictures of all the little ones as they arrived. Unfortunately, I got distracted and didn't do it. We had lots of cute costumes this year so I am really bummed I didn't follow through on this. I think we managed to get just about everyone at some point. I am definitely going to be a better photographer next year!

Our little Hippo

The food table

Parker the Shark

Hippo with his zoo keepers

Parker, Wills, and Stella

Annie, otherwise known as Blaine

Aunt Janice as a "Te" cup

Sydney the pig

The two princesses, Bailey and Sophie

Our attempts at a group photo

I love Halloween and today was just the start of several fun things we have in store over the next week and half. Luckily, those activities will not be at our house!

New trick

So Wills has a new trick and we were actually able to catch it on video!

St. Francis

This weekend the Catholic church celebrated St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis is the patron saint of animals. So our church had a little get together on Saturday morning and you are invited to bring your pets to have them blessed by Father Rick. After the year Holly has been through, we already know she is blessed! Of course, we didn't think it would hurt to take her for an actual blessing. :)

There was a scripture reading, a blessing, and a prayer. Then the animals got sprinkled with holy water.

It had to be the first cold day of fall too!

This is pretty much all the dogs were doing to one another. Some major booty sniffing going on!

Father Rick sprinkling the animals with holy water.

We couldn't get Holly to sit still long enough for a good picture. She was just way too excited and way to busy checking everything out. There were lots of dogs, a few cats, and a turtle and she wanted to see all of them. She had a great time, so we will definitely be taking her back next year!

Happy 4th Birthday

to the best nephew in the whole world!

You are such a fun and amazing little boy and we are so blessed to have you around for Wills to look up to and learn from. Happy birthday Ethan!

We love you so much!

Uncle Charles, Aunt Leslie, Wills, and Holly

Wills' First Birthday Party!

Wills turned 1 on July 24th and we had his birthday party on Saturday July 28th. Here are some pictures from his big day. All photos are courtesy of Jamie at Studio Westway.

Food and details:

This was a taco/nacho bar. The sign says concession. The pictures are Wills' weekly photos that we had been taking over the first year. 

Rainbow fruit kabobs

Dessert bar. All the desserts were home made except for the sugar cookies.

Hot air balloon cake pops

Dipped oreos

Strawberry cupcakes w/cream cheese frosting

Wills' smash cake

Party Hats and favors

He loves his kitchen!

Drink Station

Balloons!

Partying!

Cake Smash. He wasn't really impressed with the cake. His first sweet was ice cream on his birthday and he had never had anything like cake before. His lack of interest makes me think we should have done a practice run before. It was pretty cute that he tried to play with the cake like a toy though!

Trying to bounce the cake

Rolling the cake

Throwing the cake

Holly on clean up duty

Time to open presents. He had a very attentive audience =)

Pictures in front of the "Hot air balloon":

These babies were all born within a month of each other. Everyone asks if we planned it. We didn't.

Hurst's, Te's, and Udouj's

Te's

I had such fun planning this party. I have already started brainstorming for next year!