Happy Halloween!

Okay, so I took A LOT of pictures during the month of October, many of the girls in costume or doing something with pumpkins.  My dreams of homemade costumes every year were dashed by the fabulousness of two little girls as Wonder Women, showing off their girl power!  Thanks for all of the new and hand-me-down costumes sis!!!

They are little, but mighty little Wonder Women!!

Wonder Women need to take breaks too, here we were waiting for Papa to get home so we could hit the Bozeman Maze.

Mabel (the littlest Wonder Woman) and I took a little train ride.

Out at the Pumpkin Patch

Got one!

Tractor ride back from the pumpkin patch with our little friend.

Silliness.

I told Aina she could have as many as she could carry, so she crammed some in her shirt to free up her hands.

Pumpkin carving was fun, but the fire at the end was a showstopper!

We had a little pre-trick or treating gathering over at our best bud's house.  She was an amazing Speed Racer!

Mabel was not sure what to think about it all and wanted to stop between every house to check out her stash.  I only let her have one piece anyway, poor kid!

Little voyeurs.

In costume and in character.  Apparently Wonder Woman is a wild, candy-hunting banshee!

Super-scary house down the road.  The girls were really brave.

After the scary house.

Almost home with a load of goodies.  

Mabel figured out that you can get some without taking off the wrapper.

Big sis was in very good spirits since we let her have 4 pieces of candy that day.  She is so deprived she had to ask me how to eat a tootsie roll pop.  Then she shared some with Mabel.  She did not find out how many licks it takes to get to the center, she ate it like the smart owl.

We did not get many trick or treaters, but those that came by got an exuberant, sugar-fueled greeting and as much candy as they could get with one hand.

Recent Mabel Cuteness!

Just hanging out with Papa.

Working on her dinosaur sounds.

Enjoying some local weeds.

Cruising!

I really need a a floss Papa.

Rabbit hunting.

You said take my shoes off....oh, I thought you said take my pants off!?!?

Big Girl Bike!

Okay, so we are about (exactly) 2 months late getting this bike, but we got it and Aina is pumped!!  

A couple of pre-assembled shots.

Her first foot to pedal out of the gate (garage door).

Some rambling about her day and general excitement!  You can see that she is going to take really good care of this bike....

And a dash of bling goes a long way.  Thanks to all who contributed to this bike and its necessary accessories!  Especially, Fahfutz, Nana and Pops, and the Carney-Hooker crew.

Aina's Birthday Parties

Aina was lucky enough this year to have two birthday parties, one in NC with the Jones family and one party in Bozeman with friends.

This picture pretty much sums up how Aina was feeling on her birthday!  Pretty special.

Holding up four fingers presents a new challenge.

Mabel made sure everyone was on-key and keeping up with the rhythm for birthday song.

The cake didn't stand a chance!

Watch out Lynda Carter!

We had a couple of surprise/special guests in attendance!  Thanks to all of our wonderful Aunts and Uncle for coming from across the state.

For the Bozeman party, we were part of a joint birthday gathering with two of Aina and Mabel's friends Dolores and Annabelle.

Mabel was not sure what to think about the pinata.

Though she was not afraid to hop in a pool with a kid she hardly knows!

It was a little cold for slip and slide, but the girls gave it a go.

It took some serious muscle and cheering to get that pinata open.  Dolores also turned four in August.

Yet another birthday girl, Annabelle knocking back some cool beverages with Mabel.

Thanks to all of our family and friends for helping out and hosting these great parties.  We had so much fun playing with and seeing everyone!

Wonderful Visit With the Grandest of Mothers!

I know I am WAY behind on blogging for the past 6 months, so here goes!  We have had a bunch of wonderful family visits starting with a visit from Vecmamimi (Grandma Sarma) in April.  

Sarma is always up for an adventure and Aina tool her on a serious hike.

When there is water nearby, it is hard to keep this one from being in or near it!

This is Aina's impression of a wood nymph taking a nap by the river.  I agree, it looks a little too peaceful!

Aina practicing her letters on Vecmamimi's phone.

Sarma is always a sport about crawling into tents and hiding in closets when the occasion calls!

Thanks so much for coming to visit.  The girls thrive around the grandparents and absolutely love every minute of your visits.  Hope to see you more often very soon!

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Isn't that just precious???

Aina: When were you three mommy?
Me: A very long time ago.
Aina: As long ago as when there were dinosaurs?
Me: Yes baby, that long ago.

Random Statements of the Feral.

I was attempting to look up a recipe and send one email while Mabel was napping and had to ignore Aina for a minute to get it done.  Whilst draped over the back of the office chair I was using and asking, telling, commanding various things in a stream of consciousness, Aina said, "Well, if you are not going to talk to me, I am going to have to do something crazy!"  So go the hours while Aina is awake.  Gotta love her!

Random Acts of Cuteness.

On our hike the other day, Aina decided to take a little break on the trail.....

She said she needed to sing a song to the trees, air guitar and all!

Ski Racer!

Today was Aina's fourth day on skis.  By the fifth run on day one she had figured out how to turn and stop and decided that going slow and stopping was for the birds and wanted to go straight and fast every run.  So we had to make a deal, one run she goes straight with no stopping and the next run she has to turn through the cones or ski to one of her parents and turn around them.  Needless-to-say, she likes her "fast" runs best!

Ripping through the cones!

Getting to ride the big kid lift.

You are allowed to ride with infants on the lift at Bridger Bowl, so Mabel got to join in the fun.

Of course, Aina's favorite part about skiing....hot chocolate!

Tired baby after a long day of skiing.