Cooking decorating is back for the holiday season

This weekend was the official start of cooking baking for the holiday season.  Two batches of Halloween cookies successfully and thoughtfully decorated in only 1 hour.  These two cookie chefs really are amazing.

D.C. for a day of fun

The weekend of 10/15, we were lucky enough to spend yet a second weekend with our friends the Bobers.  This time we headed to the Kennedy Center to enjoy a contemporary ballet called The Red Shoes. We thought the contemporary piece may entertain the girls more than a traditional ballet, but when Elizabeth and I could hardly figure out the plot we understood why the girls were constantly asking "what is going on here".  Regardless, it was super fun and beautiful and the girls truly enjoyed each others company.  We also got a chance to hang out in Georgetown, hitting both the Laduree for french macaroons and the Georgetown cupcakes for some yummy treats.  It definitely made for a perfect day for Lily. 

Lily's birthday weekend (part 2)

Unfortunately on Sunday Rut had to head home to go back to school Monday, but for others it was a day off... so why not enjoy the nice weather at the beach with the Bobers.  80 degree weather at the beginning of October seemed like a true blessing and the girls took full advantage.  We likely should have brought their swimsuits, but heck they ran, fell and swam all over the ocean and then we wrapped them up in toga beach towels.

Happy 8th Birthday Lilybug! (part 1)

What an absolutely perfect birthday weekend.  What initially was a 3 day weekend for Lily's birthday turned into an enhanced 4 day weekend since we had friends with different days off.  We started Friday night off by picking up Rut and enjoying Kids Night Out at the clubhouse.  Lily and Rut were joined by a bunch of beach friends for further enjoyment.  Later than evening, Simone & Dahlia joined us and it was slumber party fun for the next three nights!

Saturday was an all out all day affair with our community Fall Fest going on and then Lily's Birthday Party.  The fall fest had scarecrow making, carmel apples, pumpkin painting and even rides around the community in a real big fire truck.  The kids loved it.  Then we prepped and enjoyed Lily's birthday party.  There was swimming, food and loads and loads of playing.  The best part is that we had it at the clubhouse which meant minimal clean up for the parents.

Simone, Lily, Dahlia and Rut

 Rut was a little surprised by the big pull in the wagon

Chloe and Rut decorating pumpkins at the Fall festival

Sam, Lily, Chloe, Rut and Madeline

All the blondes in one place (Madeline, Chloe and Lily)

Rut enjoying the pool

Madeline, Lily and Alyssa

Lily blowing out her candles (Lindsay and Alyssa in the background)

The whole crew (Rut, Lindsay, Chloe, Alyssa, Sam, Lily, Lindsay, Simone, Dahlia & Madeline) 

Rut and Alyssa enjoying some air hockey

My emoji girl and her best girl Rut

Fall Fest (the first one of the year)

The first weekend in October it finally felt right to hit the fall festivities.  It was double fun for us as Lily got to enjoy a fall carnival and we got to get all our fall supplies for outdoor decorating.  We even got to decorate the inside of our house which Lily gave us an A+ for this year.  Yes, she rates us on how we do decorating.  Last Christmas I got a B.

Daddy/Daughter date night

Chris and Lily have been working on establishing a tradition of a monthly Daddy/Daughter date night.  This particular month, they had some friends join in and hit the bounce park.  As you can see Lily clearly resembles David Lee Roth when she is bouncing.