Pumpkins on Parade

The pumpkin costumes made their second appearance tonight as we hit the streets for the girls’ first true Trick-or-Treating experience.

IMG_1609  

They were rather amazed by all the kids in costume…

IMG_1624

…but they soon got the hang of it. 

IMG_1618   

The girls were just happy to be out with their family…

IMG_1611

IMG_1619

…and especially happy to be stuffing their faces with all manner of sweets.

IMG_1615

IMG_1628

Happy Halloween, everybody!  We hope your day was filled with family, friends and food! 

IMG_1632

Womenfolk

Since it’s not too often that I get a picture taken of all us girls in the family, I thought I’d share this snapshot that Jim took of us late last night.  We’re a little weary from a busy day, but at least we’re all looking at the camera at the same time.  That’s no small feat! 

IMG_1588

Dress Up

We’ve been privileged to have nightly Gospel meetings at our church these past two weeks.  I was uncertain how the girls would handle being out every night, but they’ve simply enjoyed dressing up, staying up late and eating Cheerios by the fistful.  I think they’re going to be disappointed once the meetings end and they have to once again spend the evening in their pajamas with their boring old parents.  Maybe I’ll have to throw in a few Cheerios to sweeten the deal.

Here are a couple of pictures of the girls in their dresses and fancy shoes before we left for the meeting tonight.  They pranced around the house like they were preparing for a fashion show.  I guess my constant picture-snapping only reinforced their vanity!    

IMG_1582

IMG_1581

Farewell to a Friend

I think this picture says it all – the adoring looks, the happy smiles.  Kristin, we had a wonderful time with you and we miss you already.  Thanks so much for everything!

IMG_3747

Party Pumpkins

The weekly children’s story hour I attend with the girls held a costume party today.  The girls were thrilled to wear the pumpkin outfits that their cousins used last year.   

IMG_1495

Susie (on right): “Did you know you have a pumpkin on your head?”

IMG_1496 

Susie (on left): “Oh wait!  I guess I do, too!”

IMG_1504

Becky (on left): “I think we make pretty cute pumpkins.”

IMG_1533

Susie (far right): “Hmm…how can I convince these other pumpkins to give me their candy?”

 IMG_1561

Becky (in back): “I’m scared by all these witches and bees and dragons!”

Susie (in front): “Beck, I’ll moon the dragon for you.” 

Northbound

One of the best parts of having an out-of-town guest (other than being able to spend lots of time with a dear friend, of course), is visiting local attractions that have previously gone unnoticed.  Kristin, the girls and I traveled today up to Massachusetts to stroll through the picturesque towns, and I loved seeing everything through Kristin’s enthusiastic eyes.  I’ve driven past Stockbridge, MA several times in the past, but never actually got out of the car.  It was such a treat to explore the shops and historical sites and simply appreciate the scenery that normally zooms by my car window in a blur. 

IMG_1454

IMG_1459

IMG_1461

The girls were happy to be out in the beautiful weather and to be adored by new people.  At one point, I had a crowd of three older ladies huddled around the stroller while Susie flashed impish smile after impish smile. 

IMG_1488

Becky thought the attention paid to her sister was rather underwhelming.

IMG_1483

I can’t thank Kristin enough for encouraging us to cherish this beautiful corner of the country!  

IMG_1463

Scavenger Hunt

FYI – Cheerios always taste better when they’re eaten directly out of a car seat. 

IMG_1449

Never the Twain Shall Meet

We continued our whirlwind sight-seeing tour of the Northeast and spent this afternoon visiting one of Connecticut’s major tourist attractions, the Mark Twain House.  In retrospect, it probably wasn’t the wisest choice of spots for us to take two squirmy toddlers, what with all the breakable, valuable, historical antiques within a tiny person’s reach.  But the torrential rain had limited our options, and I thought I might as well start early in inspiring a love of all things by Samuel Clemens in my girls.  I guess I probably should have waited until they could at least read.

But even though we had to leave the tour of the house early, and the girls’ loud protests shattered the studious aura of the visitor’s center, and we discarded little shoes around the building like bread crumbs, I was actually very glad we made the trip.  I have wanted to see the Mark Twain house ever since I did my state report on Connecticut in the fifth grade.  I remember using my colored pencils to painstakingly draw a picture of the dark red eaves of the mansion, and now I’ve seen the gorgeous architecture for myself.

IMG_3739

I can also rest assured knowing that I’ve done my due diligence in beginning the girls’ well-rounded English education.  Perhaps next year we can take a trip to Prince Edward Island so the girls can appreciate my love for Anne of Green Gables.  I guess I’d rather have the girls learning about the beauty of the “Lake of Shining Waters” than learning how to trick others into whitewashing a picket fence! 

The Big Apple

I know all you faithful blog readers visit this site to see pictures of Becky and Susie, but since I was away from them yesterday, I don’t have any pictures to post other than the ones of my wonderful trip to NYC with Kristin.  I hope you don’t mind!  Besides, the girls were in my thoughts during the whole day, so they were practically there with me.  Kind of.  But anyway, the girls were happy as clams to spend the day with my in-laws.  I got to stroll the streets of New York, and they got to dance to Barney songs.  We were all quite happy! 

IMG_3656

IMG_3658

IMG_3662

IMG_3667

IMG_3671

IMG_3689

IMG_3710

IMG_3722

Fishy Faces

Kristin and I are sight-seeing in New York City today while the girls are lovingly cared for by their grandparents, so instead of posting pictures from today’s twin antics, I’ll leave you with a video I took of them yesterday.  Here are the girls practicing their “fishy” faces.  You’ll see that Susie (in back) uses the open-mouth technique, and Becky goes for the gusto with the smooshed lips pout.  Perhaps they’re imitating two different species of fish?