11.09.2008

Trick or Treat!


We had a very fun Halloween this year!

It all started with our non-pumpkin-carving-pumpkin-carving-party. We had our good friends Sage, Scarlett, Joey, Elliott, Khiara, Tyler and Julianna over to carve pumpkins. Instead we played. It was actually a lot of fun, even if no carving happened.

Then we had perhaps the most chaotic visit to JC Penney for portraits. Good Lord that was an episode. The kids went in their costumes - Jake was Eeyore and Annabelle was Tigger - and we met up with Joey the dragon, Tyler as Handy Manny, Julianna the chili pepper, and Elliott the firefighter ("fire-fire"). We had the slowest photographer on the planet and I'm pretty sure her experience with kids was, well, none. Then it took her 40 minutes to upload our pictures for viewing (we were told 10-15) and when we finally looked at the photos, none of us could find one we loved. Of course she left us with about 10 to choose from (Total!!!) and none were that great. Oh well, it was the experience that counts. We had fun together all in all and the kids did look really cute.


After that madness Jake got to go with his friend Joey to a Halloween Festival at his (Joey's) school! He had a great time. Again the boys got to dress up and this time Jake got to see what Joey's preschool is all about. He loved it!

Finally we went trick-or-treating with grandma, grandpa, and our neighbors, Jonna, Gui and Khiara. The kids were so cute! It was raining so we didn't stay out long, but no one seemed to mind too much. It ended up being a very mellow night and Jacob scored way too much candy. Guess who else benefits from that?

We love Halloween!

(**this post is dedicated to joyce**)

11.04.2008

And We're Back!


Wow, only 2 months after the fact and I'm finally introducing our new little girl, little miss Annabelle Millie Bidwell! The last 2 months have already flown by so fast. She was born on September 4, 2008, weighing in at 6 lbs. 15 oz and 20 inches long. At her 2 month appointment she was 11 lbs 4 oz and 23 1/2 inches long. She is growing quickly! Jacob is an amazing big brother. He loves her and always has kisses for her. He loves to get right in her face and say, "Are you talking? Tell me more!" in a high pitched voice. (wonder where he got that). It's so cute. They are both so amazing and we are so lucky to have two healthy, happy, beautiful children.

Also, a HUGE thank you to everyone who helped us out. My sisters, my mom and my in-laws were absolutely amazing. I could not have gotten through those weeks (the "dark days") without all their help. My in-laws are still getting us through these not-so-dark days! My friends that came by and constantly checked in with phone calls, visits and emails are more appreciated than you know. Also, so many people brought us dinner and little gifts, I just can't begin to thank you all. It made the first 6 weeks fly by and made them much easier than they otherwise would have been. Merci mille fois!! Thank you a thousand times. We are so blessed and lucky!