Iron Chefs Rylan and Arianna

Okay, so we couldn't wait until Christmas to give the kids their new kitchen. Their old kitchen had seen some better days and has now relocated to the third floor. Both Rylan and Arianna showed off their culinary skills as they prepared us some choice dishes. Ryan and I judged their yummy works of art but could not choose who was the better iron chef. We crowned them both culinary masters of the universe.

Rylan checks out his new stainless steel fridge

Arianna is slaving over a hot stove

There's no one like Daddy

I know I am always writing about how much the kids love Ryan, but really, it is just all too cute and super sweet. He is one in a million and we are lucky to have him. What a wonderful father and husband he is!

Here are my little loves with their daddy:

After dance class, Arianna raced to her dads side to give him some love while Rylan slept

Fleeting Days of Fall

This morning I got the kids dressed and took them outside only to discover that fall is quickly passing. The frost covering the ground foreshadows that winter is definitely creeping in--Ugh! I wanted to make sure that the kids could enjoy being outside while the season lasted, however, Arianna started to complain that she was too cold so I had to take her and Rylan back into the house.

Here are some pictures that I was able to take within the few minutes we were out and about:

Frost is now covering the back yard and the grass looks dead.

Arianna is a true nature lover like her Grandfather.

Notice that in most of these pictures, Arianna is smelling and inspecting everything she picks up.

Smells like a leaf!

Arianna insisted on taking her sticker book outside with her. Here she is dumping it into my decorative wagon that once held mini pumpkins on the porch.

The Great Pumpkin

Ryan and I picked up a pumpkin at the local farm so we could carve something exciting with the kids. I have always thought of myself as somewhat artistic and creative when it comes to these types of things so I thought this would be pretty easy. Let's just say I found out that I am not the worlds best pumpkin carver nor do I have the patience to do it.

I started off by trying to sketch the little mermaid into the pumpkin but got annoyed with the process and decided to go for an easy princess castle. Again, I got impatient and said a few choice words while carving. I realized I carved in the wrong spots and the castle sort of resembled a crack house. I guess it was worth while because the kids loved the pumpkin and seemed pretty impressed. It's the simple things that make them happy.

Ryan helps carve with an exacto knife

Here we are showing off the beautiful pumpkin

If you squint your eyes, you can make out a castle :)

Arianna was obsessed with taking the pumpkin top on and off

A rare moment when AJ is sharing with Rylan

Gramps and Grams came over to take Arianna back to their house.

Rylan tries to leave with Grams

Ryan gives AJ a smoochie goodbye

The Topsfield Fair

On Sunday we all went to the Topsfield fair and had a great time. It was a perfect day out and the temperature could not have been better. We met up with my best girl, Sarah. It was so nice to see her, as I had not hung out with her in a couple of months.

The kids seemed to really enjoy themselves. Arianna went on the big merry-go-roung with Dallie and freaked out when it started moving. As soon as the ride was done she said, "YAY, bye bye horses." The girl is too funny!

Here are some pics from the day:

Arianna and Dallie get ready for the ride to start.

The ride starts and Arianna has a massive freak-out!

Arianna LOVES Sarah

I help Arianna create a masterpiece

We put paint all over the frisbee and waited for it to spin around to arrange the colors

Before shot of the frisbee. Sorry, no after picture!

Another Busy Weekend

Cousin Lowell and Auntie Candace came up from Maryland last Friday. We took all the kids to Chuck E Cheese. Let me just tell you, Friday night at that place is insane! We took the kids on the different rides and Dallie and Papa treated the whole family to pizza. Arianna seemed to be petrafied by the Chuck E Cheese band. I think she had some sort of nightmare where they all came after her! She wouldn't even look at them, so she spent most of the evening with her head buried in my chest. She did, however, enjoy a few rides on the merry-go-round. Rylan, on the other hand, was ready to party!

Hanging at Dallies before Chuck E Cheese

Dallie showing the kids a sad part in Shreck

Lowell, Rylan & Arianna hanging with Candace

Arianna hugs Lowell

Rylan learns to drive the Chuck E Cheese car

Ryan fed Rylan some meat lovers pizza. He really seemed to be enjoying himself.

Arianna was scared to death of the rides but once she got on the merry-go-round she did not want to get off

On Saturday, everyone came over our place to relax and let the kids do their thing. Ryan and Papa did some yard work while the kids ran around getting into everything they possible could.
Candace and Lowell
Arianna insists on trying to pull the boys around even though the wagon weighed more than she did. They didn't get too far.
Arianna was a little excited to be outside
Dallie and Anna pose with the pumpkin

Lowell liked carrying the plastic pumpkin around. He especially enjoyed throwing the pumpkin off the back porch.