what to do, what to do

I have been seriously debating whether or not I should just chop my hair off again.  A few months after Kamri was born (over five years ago) I chopped it off into a pixie cut.  I liked it.  Then it grew out to shoulder length and I loved it.  Then I decided to let it go long and with each baby it has progressively gotten less and less curly which means it just looks blah!!!!  Not straight enough to be pretty and definitely not curly enough to look good either - just a mess of hair.   So you usually see me in a ponytail, or some sort of other "do", but usually a regular old ponytail. I've been having so much fun finding new, fun hairstyles - like the one below I did for church on Sunday - that I just can't bring myself to put the scissors to it.   But I also wish I could have a regular style and still be happy with it.  Ohhhh, what a dilemma :)    Almost every day I think, "Just do it!"  But I can't...I know that it will probably remain short forever once I finally give in.

Halloween 2012

It started with just Kamri and Sara wearing black and orange then Evan then Miles joined in the fun.  Then Mom and Dad felt left out so we got all dressed up along with Asia.  Our Halloween started on Sunday with these cute kids....

We got to go the school's costume parade.  Miles and Evan were Ninja Turtles (Rafael and Michaelangelo) and the girls were from Sesame Street - Sara was cookie monster, Kamri was Elmo, Asia was Oscar the Grouch, and I was Big Bird).

We were waiting for a while before the kids started marching in

Then I got to help our in Evan's class party.  These cookies they got to decorate were seriously the size of their heads.  They were HUMONGOUS!!  And for some reason the kids thought it a good idea to add about two inches of frosting and candies on top.  Soooooo gross!!

I peeked in on Kamri's party while she was playing musical tombstones

Ben worked from home so he could be a part of it and watch the kids while I helped at the party.  All day Miles kept asking him to fight and practiced his ninja moves.

Kamri with her friend the vampire - Millie

We went to a couple houses in our neighborhood then went over to Ty and Maria's for the party.  

Seriously!!!

These costumes were made with lots of love and late nights.   So glad it's over!!

I even found some orange leggings for Big Bird's legs

Trina had a fun announcement - look at that costume

And the traditional donut eating contest

Trying to get a group photo is always pretty interesting

We also had Mom's traditional ghost cake with glowing eyes along with Lasagna and breadsticks.  This has been our Halloween meal ever since I can remember.  We came home from trick-or-treating to hot choclate, warm lasagna, and fresh breadsticks.  

It was a fun party!

Washington

A couple weeks ago we packed the kids up and drove to Seattle, Washington to visit Kim, Ben's sister, and her family.  It was super LOOOOOOOOOONG drive but we enjoyed every minute of just hanging out with them.  We usually get to see them for a few hours once a year when they drive down here for things, but it was nice to have more time to spend with them and my kids absolutely love their older cousins.

Don't they look excited for the long drive...

 We really did just kind of hang out.  It was nice to just relax and take things as they come and not have to really go anywhere unless we felt like it.  

We chilled on the couch.....

Got a good hair train goin'...

played,

 splashed,

 and fell in the rain,

 played some games,

 and did some cooking.

 One day we did drive to and right on to the ferry to go to Whidbey Island (I think that's what it's called).

There we just played around on the beach and threw some rocks,

 found some shells,

 played with seaweed,

 drew in the dirt,

and ate some dirt.

There was also lots of mad games of ping pong goin' on whilst watching some fun movies.

We traveled into Seattle on day and spent some time wandering around Pike's Place with the smelly fish...

and brass pig.

 The kids were excited to get to sleep under the ping pong table.

thanks so much Kim and Mike and kids for letting come hang out.  We had a great time!!