Halloween 2012

I can't believe I'm actually posting something the same day it happened.  Wow.  Feeling really on top of things.  I'm sure it will only last for a little while.  Lily thoroughly enjoyed her Halloween.  After two days off from school due to Hurricane Sandy, she was definitely ready to go back to school today.  And boy was she excited to wear her octopus costume for Halloween.  They had a parade and a song at school during the morning hours.  After school we rushed home and ate so she could join her friend Lluc for trick or treating.  She definitely got the hang of it very fast and brought home a big bucket of candy.

Lily & Dad are spending quality time together frosting Halloween sugar cookies.  They take their jobs very seriously but still seem to have a lot of fun.  Until more sprinkles end up in the mouth than on the cookies that is.  

Lily's school parade

She was definitely a cute octopus

Singing a Halloween song with her friends at school

Lily's good friend Gianna

Good friends Lluc, Gianna & Lily

Fall Trip to Shenandoah National Park

We had a fun filled (pre Halloween) weekend.  Friday night was movie night at the Dixon's.  Complete with some good old Disney movies.  On Saturday we hit Lily's dance class and then a birthday party for one of Lily's friends at the little gym.  Then on Sunday we figured Lily would wake up early as usual and we would get an early start, but the one day we actually planned for it... she slept in until 7:30.  Wow.  Too bad the parents couldn't sleep past 6:00.  Despite this, we headed out for the Shenandoah National Park for the day.  It was a beautiful drive along Skyline drive.  We saw some deer (no bears, but they are plentiful in the park).  We had a great time stopping for pictures and the vistas.  I think we may have nearly caught the fall colors nearly or just after their peak.  Wow.  And it was only a short 70 miles from D.C.

Only one picture from our last weekend with the grandparents

Lily was very sad to see Grandma Merry, Papa Ronnie (pepperoni) and Andy leave.  It was an exciting weekend in so many ways.  A little too exciting with the ambulance visit but luckily everyone was fine and Lily let everyone know at school the following week that her grandparents are fine and back in Illinois.  What a great trip.  We are looking forward to them visiting again already.

Lily's International Dinner

At Lily's new preschool they have an international dinner each year.  Complete with the kids preforming some great international songs (Ethiopian, Spanish, Thai and a few others).  Lily was going around the house singing songs for weeks that we didn't have a clue what she was referencing.  After a while we put two and two together and figuring out that she was speaking languages we had never before heard.  How great for her.

The night was a wonderful success.  She was dressed up and looking beautiful.  She was the life of the party and all her friends wanted to sit by her.  We had a chance to meet some parents and have some wonderful food from all across the world.

Then it was a late night as we headed off to the beach to spend our final weekend with Grandma & Grandpa.

Enjoying fall from our deck...

Friends Lluc, Chance & Lily

Alexia, Sasha, Lily & Lluc

Josiah, Gianna, Logan & Alexia

Logan, Alexia, Sasha & Lily

Weekend 2 with Grandma & Grandpa and Birthday #2

This birthday thing is beginning to seem like a month long affair.  Party one weekend, real birthday the following weekend, then party at school.  Wow!  Lily finally told me that her birthday was "over"!  Until next year of course.  We had another great weekend with Grandma & Grandpa... this time at the beach house.  Saturday the weather was a beautiful 80 degrees so we headed to the beach and had a lovely day.  Only to wake up the next day to a high of 55.  Wow!  A great excuse for some chili however.  It turned out to be a fantastic weekend, hanging out with the grandparents.

Lily was very excited about the pizza set her Dad bought her

And the awesome fairy puzzle from Grandma & Grandpa

Flying her new kite on the beach with Mom

Grandpa, Grandma & Lily

Laying in the hole Dad made for her (she really is goofy)

Weekend 1 with Grandma & Grandpa

We have been very lucky to have Grandma Merry & Grandpa Ronnie, who Lily likes to call Papawonnie (sounds a big like pepperoni).  The first weekend it was Lily's birthday, but we managed to sneak some time in at Great Falls Park.  It was a nice visit and a wonderful day.

Lily's 3rd Birthday

Lily had a fantastic time celebrating her third birthday with her friends and family.  We thought we had RSVPs for just a couple friends and somehow the door bell just came ringing and the kids were piling in one after another.  She had a wonderful time celebrating with her friends though.  There was lots of dancing (even on the furniture thanks to Dad) and playing.  They were wonderful kids and played together so well.  Definitely a successful party.