Happy Halloween

We don't make a big deal of Halloween around here, but we did let the girls dress up at home and they LOVED it. Lainey was a black cat and Sarah Grace was Cinderella (though that came as no surprise given her recent obsession with the Cinderella dress). Lon took them out the back door and brought them to the front door and let them say trick or treat. They were too cute! Here are some pictures!

A Day in the Life

A glimpse into our day:

All three girls playing with their dollhouse

Abs propped up on the couch with Lon; just 5 seconds before this, she had the remote in her hand.

Some Venting and Some Interesting Praying

We now interrupt this blog for a little something I need to get off my chest. I've never really wanted to use this blog as a political sounding board and don't know that I intend to do that now, but I have to say, "Wow, I can't wait for it all to be over." We've already voted so it's a done deal for us. I am SICK of hearing about "The One" and how fabulous he is. I'm even more sick of the media fawning over him and neglecting the facts that are glaring them in the face; you know, like the way he changes his tune from raising taxes on those who make $250,000 to those who make $200,000. It's not like we're in danger of being in either of those tax brackets (ever) but the principle behind it is if he's already lying and changing his colors before the election, what's he going to be like if he gets in? WAKE UP PEOPLE!

And now back to cute stories of the girls. . .

Sarah Grace has developed a habit of wanting to pray first at night and attempts to beat Lainey at all costs. We ask her what she wants to pray for, she tells us, and then she immediately launches into a prayer that sounds like she's trying to give that guy from the Micro-Machines commercials a run for his money. It often goes like this:
Sarah Grace, who do you want to pray for?
SG: IwanttoprayforyouDearLordweprayforLaineyandweprayforherandweprayforDaddy
inJesus'nameweprayamen.

Tonight as soon as she finished praying all of that she added, "Cat in the Hat!" As in "In Jesus' name we pray, amen." CAT IN THE HAT! Bet you didn't know that was part of the accepted prayer language? Turns out she had a Dr. Seuss book that she started looking at as soon as she finished praying.

And a praise to God for today: Abby took 2 great naps today!! Can't tell you how excited I was about that. Her naps have become a rarity lately and have left me weary, weary, weary. But today she napped and I napped (without the guilt of listening to her cry that I usually have) and all was right with the world! Here's hoping for the same thing tomorrow!

Our Little Cowgirl

It just doesn't get much cuter than this:

Sisterly Conversations

The other day as the girls and I were driving home from school, I heard a conversation that I thought would still be several years away. It began with Sarah Grace irritating Lainey by saying her name over and over simply for the sake of irritation!
SG: Lainey. Lainey. Lainey. Lainey. Look at me Lainey. Lainey.
Lainey (not even looking at Sarah Grace): STOP saying my name!
SG: Lainey. Lainey. Lainey. Lainey.
Lainey (still not looking): STOP saying my name Sarah Grace.
SG: Lainey, stop saying Sarah Gracie's name.

They resolved this quickly and were soon laughing, but I fear it gave me a glimpse of some future squabbles!

A Trip to the Pacific Science Center

We drove down to Seattle yesterday for a follow up with the doctor for Lainey's stomach ailments. We got a great report and all is well; we're really thankful for that. After leaving the doctor's office we met our friend Jen and her kids as well as a new friend Tiffany and her son and had lunch and then went to the Pacific Science Center. Now we'd already arranged going to the Pacific Science Center before we left Blaine yesterday morning, but weren't sure where we'd be having lunch, but as it all worked out the restaurant we at lunch at just happened to have a deal that included a free kid's admission to the Science Center with the purchase of something from the kids menu. I LOVE it when deals like that fall into your lap! The Science Center was great fun and all of the kids loved it. We saw all sorts of things. Levers, weights, bugs, snakes (3 Boa Constrictors that I'll be having nightmares about for months to come), dinosaurs, and butterflies. It was great fun and we got some good pictures of the kiddos enjoying themselves.

Lon helping Alethia lift the weight at the end of this rope while Will, Kaitlyn, and Sarah Grace look on

Lainey trying to lift the weight

Lainey enjoying the beach ball being blown around by the air
Sarah Grace and Alethia; Alethia kept bending over the tube which made her hair stand straight up which then made Sarah Grace cackle! Too cute!
Lainey "hanging" on the rock wall

Lainey, Charis, and Kaitlyn checking out the hermit crabs and starfish (I'm not sure who the random boy is; he just happened to be there when I took the picture)

A couple of the butterflies we saw in the butterfly house

Sleeping Beauty?

Sarah Grace has developed an obsession with our Cinderella Princess dress and has worn it as often as possible for the last 3 days. She has slept in it for the last 3 nights and only takes it off at mealtime and when forced to share with Lainey. Here's our little Princess from earlier tonight: