Happy Halloween

We have Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, and Doc McStuffins this year.  Julia went out with the kids but our rule is "If you can't say 'trick or treat' or 'thank you', you don't get candy.", so she was just along for the ride.

Doc McStuffins:

 Princess Leia:

Luke Skywalker:

 Julia making sure she gets in on the action:

 

All the costumes:

 

 Happy Halloween!

See you soon, Granny

JD's grandmother died this afternoon after battling a short period of illness due to a variety of infections.  She was 95 years old and an amazing woman who lived independently until the last month of her life.  She leaves behind 6 children, 4 daughters-in-law, 1 son-in-law, one brother and sister-in-law, 15 grandchildren, 13 grandchildren-in-law, and 24 great-grandchildren (with one on the way).  She loved the Lord and left a legacy of service for His kingdom.  She heard "Well done, good and faithful servant." at 2:30 pm this afternoon.  Job well done, Granny.  We will miss you until we see you in glory.

Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. Proverbs 31:29-31.

Braces

Madelyn got braces and an expander on Wednesday.  She has a crossbite (Her top and bottom teeth are misaligned.)  She'll be sporting this look for about a year.  She's had a bit of discomfort and has to speak slowly so as to not slur her words.  She hasn't really complained, though, which, quite frankly, I'm very surprised by.

Here's a picture of our metal mouth:

Isabel is Four!

Isabel turned four on Wednesday and had a week of celebrations.  Last Saturday we had a small party with a few of her friends.  She asked for a Sofia the First party, and we had some Sofia decorations and a tiara pinata.  Here are some pictures from her party:

On Wednesday, we just had a short celebration at home before everyone left for school, and she had a little celebration at school on Friday.  Here are pictures from Wednesday:

Pajamas:

Sofia the First shoes:

Doc McStuffins dress up:

Happy 4th birthday, Isabel! We love you!

Isabel's First Day

 Isabel is back at school now, too.  She loves it and was so excited to get back.  It was extra hard for her because Madelyn and Pierce were back at school for a week before she got to go.  The first three pictures are from her "meet the teachers" day.  However, she had already met her teachers because she had them last year.  Her teachers from last year are now teaching 4 year olds, and Isabel is so happy to have them again.

Just outside the school playground:

 Seeing her teachers again:

And the first day arrived.  She was so excited:

 

 

 

The year is off to a great start, and she's making new friends and still loving the water table.

First Day of School

 Another school year has begun, and we are all excited it is here!  The kids were up bright and early and looking spiffy in their uniforms. 

Pierce ready for first grade:

 Madelyn all ready for third grade:

 They humored me for this one, as I threatened, "If you touch each other one more time, there will be consequences when you get home.":

Out the door:

 

 

 Into the car:

We're finally here:

Ready for chapel:

I love their school, and I love that they love school.  Can't wait to hear how their days went!

A week away and a surprise

 The three big kids spent the week with my in-laws last week.  They swam a lot, went to the farm, and had a bonfire.  

Here's Madelyn inspecting the soybeans:

 This picture cracks me up, from their expressions to their clothes; it's a modern American Gothic:

 The siblings had been scheming up a surprise birthday party for my mother-in-law for several months.  It's very difficult to fool her, and it's very hard for me to make up stories.  Like it was very hard for me to keep finding reasons that we needed to come down to their house to pick up our kids when there were 2 other cars leaving their house to come to the D.C. area.  Now, those two vehicles belonged to my brother-in-law and sister-in-law who were both down there for the birthday party and had no intentions of getting my kids back up the road.  We eventually had to leave it with her idea of letting Philip bring the kids home.  We never went to their house.  We just stayed at the party hosts' house until the party started, and Philip brought the kids to the party all the while my mother-in-law thought he was driving them home.  It all worked out and she was surprised.

Granny talking with Mr. Stephenson, the host:

Granddaddy getting some Julia love before the party:

Surprise:

 Happy birthday, Nana!

Water fun at the party:

 Aunt Cindy striking a pose:

Happy birthday Nancy, Mama, Nana: