A Hot Halloween

At least for one year, the kiddos did not have to worry about bundling up, either under or over their costumes.

This year, we are in Southern California for a family wedding and mini vacation over Trick-or-Treat Day.

About 4 houses down from Grammie and Poppy's house, Ian insisted we go back for water because he was so hot! and he absolutely would not wear his Spidey mask (not that I blame him...I wouldn't want that covering my face even if it wasn't so warm!) Gabby was able to wear her fairy outfit minus the cape that usually accompanies her princess/fairy costumes (like her mommy, she likes to dress up 'pretty'). Evie had the most layers on as Mulan, but didn't complain--of course, she scored a lift from mommy pretty much the whole way.

I'm such a sucker for a cute, sticky child in costume.

More vacation pics...almost done, I promise!

We went with Rebecca and Eric and the boys to a mini-water park. Our kids absolutely loved it! There was a shallow play area that still had great slides and water sprays that both Ian and Evie could play in, plus some really big slides and even a small 'river' float area for the better swimmers. Of course, Evie was unconvinced that she cannot swim and kept mommy and daddy on our toes all day as she jumped again and again into the deep area. fearless.

ian must have gone down this slide a hundred times that day.

little mermaid princess.

gabby coming out of one of the big slides.

homemade mini-pizzas back at the VanHorn's --yummy!

We were able to see Shell's mom and brother while we were down there, as well. They gave us a tour of Nashville, and even treated us to a horse-drawn carriage ride! and, although there were many carriages toting tourists through the streets, ours was special...we had the only one with a dog riding the horse during the tour.

the whole gang on the carriage

gabby next to the horse (and dog)

closer than you probably want to be to a horse's backside, but had to show you this crazy dog!

gabby, matthew and evie outside a bar. hey, I liked the dancing horse.

and the truly great news is...I'm not kidding, there is only one more post to go of these never ending vacation photos and blogs. But I can't leave it out. It is our tour of the Jack Daniel's distillery. So, until then...

Tennessee Aquarium

The Four Brothers

My best friend from high school (Rebecca in my friend's list)
lives just outside of Nashville with her husband, Eric, and their posse of boys: Jacob, Caleb, Michael and Jared.So, on our recent vacation, since we were already going to St. Louis (and TN looked really close on the map-ha!)--we were able to work out a trip to see their family as well. It had been over 8 years since we had all been together, and over 7 since Rebecca and I had seen each other. Of course, there are many more of "us" between the two families now :)

I attempted to brief my children on the boys before we arrived at their house; describing them from oldest to youngest...even showing them their pictures, attempting to have them learn their names before we arrived...all to no avail.

On the drive from St. Louis to Nashville, they became known as 'the four brothers'. And they were a hot topic of discussion. What were 'the four brothers' like? What were 'the four brothers' ages? How much longer until we were at 'the four brothers' house?

And at last we were at 'the four brother's' house. And a more perfect scene could not be found, for there, sitting all in a row, on 'the four brother's' front stoop, WAS...the four brothers!

It was the perfect greeting, and provided us all with a wonderful beginning to a fun-filled week with...Jacob, Caleb, Michael, and Jared! (and their mommy and daddy, of course!)

Our first outing with them was a hike to a beautiful stream with many waterfalls. The weather was so nice for us. Not humid at all. (very unlike the regular July TN weather we discovered)

Evie walks hand in hand with Eric. hmmm...maybe warming up to the idea of a daughter?

this is my delighted husband. he passed the wiener mobile on the drive back to their house. is it any wonder I am in love with this man?