Leaves, Leaves, Leaves

With a backyard looking like this in the summer . . .

you can imagine what the Fall looks like! 

 I have never seen so many leaves in my life! And these are just the ones that had fallen onto the trampoline!

Before we raked them up, we tried getting a few pictures of the girls in them. I think these picture sequences tell so much. I'm not sure why Summer was feeling a little grouchy, but Claire was sure having a good time!

 After Summer cheered up and Pippy joined them:

It's like Where's Waldo, but it's Where's Pippy???

 Jumping on the trampoline:

  Swinging into the pile dad made:

My favorite:

What a fun time of year! And a great place to spend it!

Halloween

This year for Halloween the girls were bumblebees. I guess I was kind of in charge of costumes this year. I found a killer deal on striped material for 60% off at Joann's. I cut two rectangles for each girl, cut strips along the side, then tied the front and backs together. I sewed a black ribbon to go over the shoulders, then we stuck them in black tights and black shoes with a headband and pipe cleaner antennaes. I also made their wings with some wire and black tulle.  Rhett added the bumblebee bum to them. They turned out quite cute. 

I wanted Pippy to be a flower garden, but we ran out of time, so she just wore orange and black striped tights over her onesie.
The girls wore the bumblebee costumes for our ward party, but the night of Halloween, they actually chose to be sister witches, which worked out better because the witch costumes we got were a bit big and could fit over the girls' coats.

It's gotten quite cold here, so we've been building fires. 

Of course, the first two nights we had a fire, the girls begged for s'mores. And how can you say no to all that gooey goodness???

Picture by Claire

Bringing Spokanites to Liberty lake

A few weekends ago, our law school friends, Josh and Rachel, attended a wedding a few hours away from us. After the wedding, they were able to come by and stay for a few days. We were lucky enough to have Daren and Heather come too. It was like the good old days--except we all slept under one roof! 

The girls were so excited to see everyone. The day before anyone arrived, Summer worked on drawing pictures for everyone. (Didn't quite finish, but they turned out cute.) While everyone was here, and if ever I wondered where Claire was, I would just have to find Daren. She was usually curled up under his arm next to him. It was so cute.

These are some of the pictures taken of the weekend. Thanks Heather for your great photography skills!

Claire, Daren, and Summer

Claire lounging

Not too great of Rhett and I, but we don't get many of us together these days. (Am I looking at a bill???)

Rachel and Summer

It was soooo fun for Summer and Claire to have playmates living with us for a few days! Summer and Lyla played together very well. It was fun to see how much she had grown and to watch the kids interact together. It was also fun to watch Mac and Pippy interact. So cute!

Love these pics of the girls playing in the leaves.

Rachel and Me

Claire's Best Bud

All of us again. 

It was sad not to have Andy and Jen with us, but we were so thankful that the Greens and Harris' could come visit. It was as if time had never passed. We appreciate their friendship and are grateful for their sacrifices to come. We miss them already!