Fall Fun!

Lily had the whole week off of school for Thanksgiving break and to make it even better Linda, Scott, Jeremy and Katie were here!!!   They got here Sunday night and we wasted no time playing and having fun.  Lily has a very special bond with Aunt Linda and Jeremy and she is always happiest when they are here.  I love watching her and Jeremy play -- the 2.5 year age difference doesn't seem to matter to them.  They are so cute.  I hope they can play and hang out like this forever.

 

While we were playing in the backyard we got the great idea to make a big pile out of the fallen leaves.  So we out the kiddos to work!

Jeremy and Lily loved jumping in the leaves.

Look at the huge smile!

Danielle was having fun at first . . . .

  . . .  but then sat there screaming.  It was like "Someone get me out of here!"  She didn't get up and move on her own, it was almost like she thought she was stuck there.  It was pretty funny.

It was the perfect fall day!

Slumber Party

Lily had her first official slumber party last night at Emily's house.  Sure she has slept over at my parent's house and it can be argued that they had a slumber party every night in Colorado, but this was the first official sleep over and all the girls (Carys, Lily and Emily) were SO excited!!!

 We had to buy Lily a sleeping bag.  Poor thing couldn't figure out how to use it.  I literally had to teach her how to use a sleeping bag.  Thankfully, she caught out fairly quickly.

 Off to Emily's house!

  

Patti texted us pictures all night long.  They had so much fun and did all kinds of fun stuff.  For dinner they made their own pizzas.

 (Matthew came for dinner and fun and then went home later in the evening)

 Then they made cake pops with the cake pop maker Lily gave Emily for her birthday.

 Then they made necklaces and watched the new Tinkerbell movie!!  They went to bed about 11/11:30.  They were supposed to sleep in the game room, but ended up moving their stuff into the guest room where Patti's mom was sleeping and slept on the floor next to Mimi! :)  They woke up about 8 and made pancakes for breakfast.  Lily had the best time and can't wait to do it again!  It was a huge success!!

The End of An Era

Friday morning Hostess announced that they were stopping production and going out of business.  This means no more Twinkies, ding dongs, ho hos, snowballs, Hostess cupcakes, zingers, etc.  It is so sad.  I don't eat these things on a normal basis at all, but it nice to know they are around if I want one.  I think I was in denial on Friday when it was announced.  But by Friday evening it sank in and I was determined to get one last Twinkie for Lily and Danielle (1st and last for Dani).  So Saturday morning we headed out pretty early and went to Target (I needed some other stuff too) and I immediately went to the snack cake section.  Of course they were wiped out.   After Target we stopped at the supermarket and found a few items, but no Twinkies!!  I was in the midst of a head cold fog and was irrationally determined to find a frickin Twinkie!  Plus, I thought it would be the best Christmas gift for my dad to give him a box of twinkies and cupcakes and donuts since they are his favorite. (see this old post here about making my Dad a Twinkie/Cupcake birthday "cake")   Lily and Dani were getting tired and annoyed, but I convinced them to let me stop at one more supermarket on the way home.  The initial aisle was empty -- just a big sad gaping hole where Twinkies and ding dongs should be.  I was about to surrender, when we found another Hostess display in the back of the store and at the bottom of bin was two packs of smooshed up Twinkies!!!!!!!  I didn't care that they were smooshed -- we found Twinkies!!  Most likely the last ones for sale (if you don't count the box on ebay that is going for $200,000).  I was so excited (as were the tired girls).  

 

 Our sad little Twinkies!!

 I think Lily has only had a twinkie once before -- and I documented it here. (see my crazy picture taking and blogging comes in handy). But she was excited to try it again and very sad to know she wouldn't get another one anytime soon.

 Dani wasn't that into it -- it was past her nap time and I think she just wanted to go to bed already and couldn't understand why I was making her eat cake and taking pictures.

 Next Lily tried a Zinger which I think are kinda better than Twinkies, but she didn't like it -- it was too sweet for her.

 Dani poked at her Zinger.

 Getting silly and having fun with their Twinkies.

 Here is part of my stash.  I honestly don't know why I bought all this.  I was crazed.  And my master plan to give it to my Dad for Christmas kinda fizzled when I noticed it all has "Best By" dates in early December.  Oh well.  We'll have a Hostess Thanksgiving!! 

Christmas Time is Here!

Friday night I took the girls to the local outdoor shopping mall to see the Tree Lighting ceremony and welcome the arrival of Santa.  It still seems weird to me since it is not even Thanksgiving yet.  But our neighbors already have their Christmas lights up and on so everyone is crazy early this year. 

Lily enjoying her Christmas cookie.

Lily, Emily and Carys

Abby and Dani

I think the camera flash surprised her!  Ha!

I wasn't feeling too hot (the start of a head cold), so when Dani wanted to run around Rhiannon took her for a bit.  Danielle is going through the separation anxiety phase right now and pretty much only wants me all the time.  But she was surprisingly ok with Rhiannon -- for a little bit anyway.

Santa lighting the tree!

The girls and the carolers.