Trick-or-Treat

I feel like we completely skipped fall and went right into winter! It was freezing on Halloween night! I told my parents that I would feed them dinner if they would stay and pass out candy at our house while Russ and I went out with the kids. They agreed and it turned out perfectly. They get little to no trick-or-treaters at their house and they kinda miss it and we get LOADS of kids in our neighborhood so I hope they come next year too to help us out!

I could not get Brooks to wear his gnome hat for the life of me. But I got him to wear the lower half of the costume so I'll take that as a win. Cutest little gnome and fairy I did ever see!

 We went trick-or-treating with our good friends and neighbors, The Naylors! We sure love them and are so grateful they moved in 2 doors away 1.5 years ago.

 Brooks was cold but perfectly happy as long as he was eating a sucker or candy.

 Werewolf on top of the roof! This house is always fun to go to on Halloween.

Brooks and the Naylors baby were done being outside in the cold after an hour. Brielle and I took the babies home and Russ and Scott stayed out a little longer with the older kids.

Halloween Parade

Hallie chose to be a fairy this year for Halloween and boy was she excited to dress up for school today! Brooks and I went to school with her for the first little bit to watch her class sing some songs and show off their costumes!

 Brooks played with animals while sister sang some cute Halloween songs

 She is the only 5 year old in her class and she looked so big and mature next to the other 3 & 4 year olds. She sung much quieter than she does at home but did all the actions and it was so cute!

Kids

I know I say it a lot but I sure do love my kids! I love their relationship and I love being their mom!!

Looking at pictures on my phone. This is one thing they both love to do!

 Enjoying an otterpop

 Morning snuggles

Hallie

Hallie is so full of energy and suffers from FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), just like her daddy! She is the first awake in our house and basically jumps out of bed ready to play. She did her first back walkover on her own this month and is such a good little gymnast. She can be sassy at times for Russ and I but her teachers always comment on how "respectful" and "good" she is for them. This makes me so so happy! One day, after one of her teachers told me how well behaved she is, I took her to get a sugar cookie as a reward. I hope she always is respectful to her teachers.

Working on her splits. She amazes me with how flexible she is.

 She got sick with croup this month (and so did Brooks). She had a fever of 102 and a barky cough. Here she is napping on my chest. This was like the third nap she had had that day. Poor girl!

 She's not one to snuggle for long but I love when she gives me some snuggles!

 Gathering leaves and jumping in the pile

 Another selfie she took that I found on my phone 

Brooks- 21 Months

I am just smitten by this cute boy of mine! He is total perfection. He seriously can do no wrong in my eyes. I don't know if I'm so obsessed with him because he looks just like his dad or if it's because I'm his favorite and he gives me all the snuggles I've ever wanted! Every stage with him has been my favorite. He really is the best!! I love listening to his little raspy voice speak and watch him want to be a "big kid" like his older sister.

Helping himself to some cookies

 Playing on Hallie's toy we are getting her for Christmas

 He melts me in every way possible. Russ has been wanting to go on a trip with just the two of us for over a year but I just can't bring myself to leave this little cutie!

 One morning I went to get him from his crib and he had thrown up everywhere! Poor buddy! I have no idea when this happened as I never heard the sounds of throwing up or a cry from him. Luckily he only threw up this one time and then was acting totally fine afterwards.

 Pulling out every pot and pan we own! He is so messy!

 Snuggles! My all time favorite thing in this world!!

 Look who got a hold of toothpaste and started squirting it everywhere. Little terd!

 He has figured out how to climb on the counters to help him open any cupboard he wants. Scares me to death but I had to first snag a pic before I went and saved him. Ha!

 He is such a stud with the cutest little smile around!

Nickle Family Halloween Party

My mom puts so much work into the parties she hosts! She literally had hip surgery like weeks ago but wanted to have her Halloween party anyways. She was very sore the next day but we appreciate her efforts to bring the family together. The kids always enjoy the things she does for them!

Fishing game

 Bobbing for apples and getting a $1 bill. This is a tradition my grandparents started and then my parents continued. I grew up doing when I was kid!

Pumpkin carving/painting

A few months ago we decided with the Rust's to do dinner once a month! We alternate who hosts and we get together once a month for dinner! I absolutely love that we started this! We love being with the Rust clan and don't get to see them enough. We get along so well with them and our kids play really well together. We all have the same values and Jamie and I are so similar it is crazy! Today was our turn to host. We had dinner, lasagna, salad and bread, and the painted pumpkins!

 Brooks was mainly concerned about having more than enough paint on this paper plate and less concerned about painting his pumpkin. Once there was enough paint on this plate, he'd get the paint all over his hands and brush!

 He's so messy but boy is he cute!

 Hallie using every color under the rainbow to paint her pumpkin!

We had some leftover pumpkins that we didn't paint last night. Hallie and Russ carved pumpkins together. I love this picture of them! They both are stunning!