101 Dalmatians

This month has been such a busy month, as you can tell by all of my posts!

This fall Olivia decided to try out for a local childrens theatre instead of playing a sport. The production they presented was 101 Dalmatians. It was a one act play that was put on by children ages 7 to 14.

Olivia in the Green Room waiting to go on stage at the local high school auditorium.
How do you like those puppy ears!?!

Singing in her chorus line.

Striking her final pose in the last scene.

After the last show.
I must admit, I'm a little more than glad that it's over. It was a lot of time. But it really was so much fun!

Piano Recital

Thursday, November 19th, Olivia had her 2nd piano recital. She played Festive Sonatina by Nancy Faber. She really did a wonderful job, just one little stumble at the very end. Olivia has really loved learning to play and I have loved listening!

Olivia and her Piano teacher Meggi

Here's her performance, enjoy!

November Birthdays

I took Olivia and Emily to see the musical Wicked in October. After seeing that, Emily requested a Wicked cake. This is what I came up with!

Olivia turned 10, Double Digits! And Emily turned 8, another baptism!

Emily's favorite present by far was the doll Grandma sent her. Grandma also sent a dress for her and the doll that matches. Audrey was so jealous!!

Olivia's favorite present was a doll bed for her doll. Grandma scored this year on presents! Probably next favorite was all the books she got.

Halloween

Audrey started our Halloween with her first lost tooth! She was soooo excited to finally loose it. She couldn't wait to go to bed so that the tooth fairy could visit.

My girls looked so festive in their Halloween shirts!

Dressed up! Audrey wanted to be a GREEN witch, Emily was her black cat, Marcella finally decided on Sleeping Beauty for the second year in a row, Olivia was Susan from Narnia. She even carried a pretend bow and arrow. Rylee was a Chick-fil-a cow and their cousin Mikey was Yoda. Too cute!

Rylee was so stinkin' cute!
But her favorite part of Halloween was riding in the wagon with her cousin and being given candy!

Garden of the Gods

Todd had training in Colorado Springs this last week. So the girls and I decided to drive down Thursday after school, spend the night, (skip school on Friday) and visit the Garden of the Gods after Todd got out of training Friday, late morning. The Garden of the Gods was beautiful!

The girls all took turns climbing between these two rock formations.
Olivia above and Audrey below.

Just to give you a picture of the size of this formation, here's Emily climbing through.

Our five girls!

Here's Todd leading the way to a formation called the Cathedral rocks.

More beautiful views...

My girls wanted me to take a picture of this 'face' rock...do you see it?

Marcella climbing around and striking a pose.

Rylee eating a snack.

Todd tried to carry Rylee around on his shoulders. We didn't realize that most of the paths were actually paved, or we would've brought a stroller. Rylee actually preferred to walk, but it was slow going that way.

Climbing more and striking more poses for the camera. Emily liked it so much that she's told us she wants to come back for her birthday!

Emily showing off, she wants to send this picture to her rock climbing Uncle Michael.

We had so much fun!

Rylee Jo's 1st Birthday

Rylee Jo turned one on the 10th of July! I can hardly believe that a year has gone by!

Kathryn, Scott and their children were visiting from PA. It made such a fun party!

Todd and I bought Rylee a baby walker. Her favorite toy from the start. She wasn't walking at all on her birthday... I'm afraid this is why she was walking about 2 weeks later.

I tried to get a picture of Rylee next to her cake. Aunt Kathryn didn't do a very good job at watching Rylee and she ended up trying to grab a piece a little early. Oh well, not too much damage was done!

Blowing out her candle

Eating Cake...and boy did she eat! There was no hesitation once the cake was put in front of her. She dove right in and loved it!

Todd gave the birthday girl a SECOND piece. She ate it all, but was definitely finished.

It was in the tub after that!

Crater Lakes

Saturday, August 1st, Todd and I went hiking with no kids! We hiked up to the Crater Lakes to check out potential campsites for Todd scout troop. I think Todd said it was about a 3 mile hike in. It was quite the mountain hike, but so much fun! And everything was absolutely beautiful!

Todd and I

Nice picture, huh?! Of course my eyes are closed...and really, our camera doesn't do the mountains any justice.

One of the Crater Lakes. It was gorgeous. Look at the snow still there!
And here's Todd between two boulders that we hike through.