Halloween 2015

Ellen and June both had lots of fun indulging in Halloween preparations and activities this year. (And, I was lucky enough to be able to volunteer at each of their Halloween parties at school!)

Trick-or-treating was great since Halloween fell on a Saturday AND the weather/the girls' costumes were just warm enough that they didn't need to wear jackets. Everyone got their fill of candy that we're still trying plow through. Can't wait to do it all again next year!

Picking out our pumpkins pre-Halloween

EVB marching in the Kindergarten Halloween Parade at school

Ready to ring some doorbells!

June the cupcake and Ellen the dog ... All set!

Testing out the cool glow wands from Grammy & Grandpa

A well-earned sucker

Sorting the loot!

EVB: 6 Years Old! Happy Birthday, Ellen!

I'm not sure how it happened, but somehow our little Ellen turned 6! It's hard to believe she's that old; it seems just like yesterday we were preparing for her birth and still wondering if she would be a boy or a girl.

Ellen is doing so well at Kindergarten ... making friends and and eagerly learning new things each day. She wakes up excited to get on the bus and comes home happy in the afternoon with lots to tell us about her day. Toward the end of the summer, Ellen picked up on reading so we've been enjoying having her read bedtime stores to us each night.

All-in-all, our little girl is a happy, healthy, bright, curious, determined, funny, well-adjusted little person. She brings so much joy to our family and we are beyond lucky to be her parents. We're excited for a fun year ahead of Ellen being 6!

Big girl!

Ellen was very stoic when opening gifts at her party, but I know she bursting with excitement inside!

Ellen chose a princess theme for this year's party. :)

JEB: 3 Years + 7 Months Old!

Miss June had a mother awesome month ... She's doing exceptionally well at preschool and has exceeded our expectations, in terms of independence, considering she's such a mommy's girl at home. :) June loves to tell us about her teachers and friends, the artwork she creates and the songs she sings. We're so glad she has something of her own, even if it is just a few hours twice a week.

When she's not in school, June has been helping me around the house as we get things prepped for baby. She's a great assistant when it comes to hanging curtain rods and wall decor; she knows all the different tools and is always ready to hand me just what I need! When we're not "working" around the house, June and I have been squeezing in LOTS of snuggle time since I know it will be more difficult to find time for just the two of us once baby is here.

June continues to work on writing her name and is showing an interest in letters and the sounds they make. She also likes puzzles, cooking in her kitchen and playing in Ellen's room (with mom's permission) when Ellen is at school. Shh, don't tell!

Family-of-Four Trip to Florida!

We kicked off the start of October with a family trip to Florida to visit Grammy & Grandpa. Besides being the first flight for both girls, it was the first (and last) time the four of us have taken a vacation together. It's strange to think that we'll have a fifth family member on our next trip!

Both girls did great on the plane. (Backpacks stuffed with snacks filled their tummies and in-flight, on-demand TV and movies provided all the entertainment they needed.) Grammy & Grandpa picked us up from the airport in Fort Meyers and after a quick drive, we were at their house and ready to embark on several days of fun in the sun.

While we did have some sunny portions of each day, there was also a fair amount of overcast skies and a few showers while we were there. That didn't stop the girls, though. They couldn't get enough of swimming in the pool and were often in the water by 8 a.m., the first of several swimming sessions throughout the day.

Aside from hanging by the pool, we hit the beach where the girls loved dipping their toes in the ocean (Ellen actually did some swimming, but June preferred to hang on the sand.) and spent lots of time collecting seashells. We also explored different parts of Venice. Adam and I even managed to have a date night to celebrate our anniversary a few days early.

It was so much fun to see Grammy & Grandpa and visit their new house in Florida. We can't wait to go back!

Ready for takeoff!

Wheels up!

The girls' bedroom at Grammy & Grandpa's Florida house, which they loved!

Picking avocados in the backyard

June, working hard for her guacamole

Lounging in the pool ...

Ellen developed a love for snorkeling!

First-ever view of the ocean

Adam snuck in a little golf ...

Shelling

And more shelling

Date night

Baby got to visit the ocean, too!