Happy Halloween

 Happy Halloween

Halloween weekend was a little bit crazy around here. It started out pretty awful, but got progressively better from there.

On Thursday night, our ward had a Trunk-or-Treat and Chili Cook off. Riley had class that night, so it was just me and the girls. After getting the girls all dressed up as a purple fairy and little blue fairy, we were running a few minutes late. I didn't really think anything of it, because, let's be honest, is anyone ever on time to ward activities? Well, this year they were. We got there and the gym was packed and all the food was gone, with the exception of a few crackers. Even the cornbread muffins we made were gone before I could set them on the table. Then there was the issue of finding a place to sit. Luckily one of the sisters saw us and booted her own kids out of their sets so that we could sit down.
Next, was the hayride. Everyone was fine until we had to wait not once, but twice before we could get on. Chloe had a major meltdown over not getting on when she wanted to. We finally got on, and a friend offered to watch Lucy while Chloe and I rode. Two seconds after pulling away, Lucy went ballistic and started screaming.

 After the ride, we all went into the mother's lounge so that I could feed Lucy, in hopes of keeping her happy while we did the Trunk-or-Treat. Once outside, another friend offered to hold Lucy while Chloe and I went from car to car. Unfortunately, everyone was out of candy by the time we came around. Luckily for Chloe, a few of the older girls saw her empty bucket and gave her some of their candy. Meanwhile, Lucy's screaming again. I could not get out of there fast enough. And, to top it off, Chloe was starving when we got home. I'm so glad that all of that is behind me now.

Lucy's First Halloween

 Halloween morning, I took the girls trick or treating around the shops downtown. It included a lot of walking, crying, and whining, but we all survived. We had a wardrobe change too. Chloe now wanted to be a green fairy (Tinker Bell) and Lucy a cow. I thought it only fitting to put on a cowboy hat and boots.

Purple Fairy

Blue Fairy

 On Halloween night, I decided to stay in with Lucy and hand out candy, while Riley took Chloe out. They were joined by some of our good friends and their grandson. Chloe made it about a block and a half before she was ready to call it quits.

We carved pumpkins a few days before, while my dad and step-mom were staying with us. Chloe was not too excited about pulling out the guts. We gave her the all important job of picking out which stencils to use and supervising the cutting. She did a great job.
After a very long week, I'm really grateful that Halloween only comes once a year.

Fall Festival

 Fall Festival

 Chloe's preschool put on a little Fall Festival the last week in October. All of the children were encouraged to dress up like farmers/cowgirls for the event.
Chloe was asking me for weeks when she got to wear her hat and bandanna to school. She was so exited when the day finally came.

 The preschool had set up little carnival type games in one of the empty rooms, and each class was given a 20 minute time slot to go in and play games and "win" prizes. Lucy and I went and volunteered to help out with one of the games.

Chloe was extremely shy and quiet, which is her norm at school, but she seemed to be having fun.  She got a little upset when it was time to go back to class and she realized that Mommy was leaving, which kind of broke my heart, but she quickly recovered when she was reminded that it was her turn to be the line leader and a snack was waiting for them back in the classroom.

They had a really cute fall photo backdrop set up for the kids. I had to take advantage and snap a few pictures of Lucy before we left. Sure love my cute girls!

A few days before Fall Festival, Chloe's school had Book Character Dress-Up Day. Chloe was so excited to tell all of her friends at school that she was Olivia the pig. She thought her ears and pig nose were hilarious. She looked pretty darn cute if you ask me.

Utah Visitors

Grandpa Wes and Grandma Alyson Pay Us a Visit

 My dad and step-mom came to visit us from Utah. Bless their hearts, they drove 3 days straight, across the country to get to us. So, we tried to make their visit well worth the long drive.

 The weather was perfect while they were here, so we spent some time playing at the park. Grandpa was a trooper and pushed Chloe on the swings; which is her favorite thing in the world to do.

 We also spent a lot of time playing games, eating, and visiting. While they were here, we put dad to work teaching us how to make a garden box planter and what best to put in it. Hopefully we'll have an awesome little harvest next year, if we don't kill everything off first. They also helped us get on track with our emergency preparedness. Thanks Dad and Alyson!

On Sunday, we had the special privilege of feeding the missionaries dinner. So, between our little family of 4, Dad and Alyson, and the missionary threesome companionship, our dinner table was bursting at the seams. In Georgia, we get to see and feed/visit with the missionaries all the time, but Dad was saying that in Utah they only see the missionaries about once a year. It was a really special experience being able to have everyone in our home.

 We've been really trying to read Book of Mormon stories each night with Chloe, before going to bed. We loved having Grandpa and Grandma here to join in the reading and snuggling.

And, the best part of all, Grandpa and Grandma got to meet little Lucy Jane. She was a little grumpy off and on due to teething and getting shots, but I think it helped to give Dad and Alyson a real feel for what life's like in the Nay home. 

We loved having Grandpa and Grandma here to visit. Anytime they want to make the LONG trip our way, we'll be happy to welcome them with open arms.

Lucy Lately

 Lucy at 5 Months
Lucy has been growing and changing so much. She just recently decided that she's going to bypass the whole rolling over stage and go straight to sitting, which she has become awesome at. As long as she has toys within reach, she's pretty happy and content.

 Lucy is quickly becoming a great sleeper. We've gotten into a pretty good routine of 2 naps a day. Her morning nap lasting about an hour and her afternoon nap lasting about 2- 2 1/2 hours. At night she'll sleep between 10-11 hours straight, which is wonderful!

 Lucy loves to grab anything within reach and chomp on it. Her first bottom tooth came in around the beginning of October (5 1/2 mos) and her second tooth is close behind, working it's way up and making for a very moody baby. Lucy is constantly grabbing my fingers and chewing on them, which wouldn't be so bad if those little teeth weren't so sharp. I'm gonna start calling her Captain Crunch.

 This girl has got the most contagious smile and laugh. She loves to be tickled and talked to. Chloe continues to be her favorite person in the world, when it comes to entertainment. I just wish that the feelings were mutual. Chloe has recently been going back and forth between loving Lucy and wanting her to go away. Let the sibling rivalry begin. Lately I've been hearing a lot of "No Lucy, don't touch that" and "No Lucy, don't laugh at me, I'm mad right now. Mom, make Lucy stop laughing at me!"
The worse though, is whenever Lucy falls asleep in the car, Chloe thinks it's hilarious to make a loud "monster" noise and wake Lucy up. This of course leads to instant crying and a not so happy mommy. Someday these two are gonna be best friends, right?

Lucy has a horrible fear of loud noises. It's really sad. Pretty much any loud noise will spook her and cause sudden screaming and tears and it takes a long time to get her calmed down again. I'm grateful that her ears work, but I really hope that she outgrows this soon. It's so sad to see her get so upset.

Also, Lucy's doing great with tummy time. She can push up with her arms and get her whole belly off the floor. She loves it because she's able to push herself backwards and get around a little bit, until she gets stuck, and then she hates it. This little lady is already very determined and opinionated. It's been so fun to see her personality come out more and more. I just feel so blessed to get to be there every step of the way. Keep it up Lucy!