Sister Sue's birthday and HALLOWEEEEeeenn

 Dear LUCY (aka sister bear, sister, Sally, Sue, Sissie, Woocie, Sweetheart, Pumpkin....)
WE LOVE YOU!!! You are always the first to help someone, and are very aware of others in need. You have a very sensitive and sweet spirit. Often times, you'll cry when you hear a sad story, see a movie with a happy ending or see/hear of someone who is struggling.
You LOVE to give HUGE hugs, say 'bye, I love you' 1,000 times and love to hold hands.
You still love your dance class; singing and coloring. You sing pitch perfect, ALL DAY, and color, go potty, get dressed, clean up....while you do it.
You will practice something till you get it perfect (or, be to hard on yourself, and not even try it again). You are determined, strong and smart. You are doing wonderful at reading, and as usual, are obedient, polite and kind.
We are SO SO so happy to celebrate this 6th birthday with you!!!
You choose a friends party, which was a bit overwhelming, and in the end, were even to tired to get a happy meal from McDonalds (which you picked for your dinner) You had chosen a Wonder
Woman Cake (still not sure why) and in the end of it all, we ended the night with a movie, which was a great way to end the day!!
Happy Birthday, Lucy!

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 We played a few games...pin the top on the pumpkin, making wonder woman crowns and an 'I Spy' memory game. All of which Lucy choose, and I think they were enjoyed by all.

How could anyone NOT love halloween and or halloween crafts!! 

Thank heavens we saved up ALL our toilet paper rolls...the kids LOVED this craft, and it was just right for all skill levels

 We had a few halloween parties to attend, which allowed the kids to switch what they would be for halloween, each time. 

Originally, they were going as Spider Woman, Iron Man, and a Fireman. The only one that stayed consistent for the halloween season was the Fireman....no surprise there :) 

At our Trunk-or-Treat, we took a ballerina, some army man, and yes, the fireman.

The doughnut contest...always a winner!  

Granny did make a pit stop at our home, after her travels back east! We were THRILLED that we even had a moment with her, and made plenty of memories...enough to last us at least 4 weeks (come back SOON!!!) Baseball in the living room, stories stories stories, fabric stores, sewing, cooking, walks...

And YES!!! We even had a free babysitter for my birthday! I did feel so celebrated and loved!! 

I am truly a blessed woman!! 

The kids, all dressed up for the 3rd time....school halloween parties!! 

Halloween...you either love it or hate it. 

No questions here! WE LOVE IT!! 

I dressed up for Lucys class party, which I was in-charge of. 

That was a mistake how I ever even got in that predicament, and I can assure you, 

t'wont be happening again. Crazy crazy dazy day!! 

None the less, this cat ROCKED the house! 

And the loot!! 

My kids went strait to bed halloween night, not even a mention of their candy. 

But, come the next morning, they sprung out of bed, and ran to the buckets. 

I learned my lesson this year. 

HIDE MORE CANDY!! 

I took 3 for myself,. We always let our kids GORGE themselves for 3 days, (then the candys thrown out) but this year, by the time I got to snacking on more candy (after the 3 days had passed) IT WAS ALL GONE!!!

Either they truly did eat all their candy, my mom ate more then she claimed, or Jeff hoarded more then he confessed. Ah, oh well, I'm sure I'm better off (as are my teeth) for it! 

Hope your halloween was full of sugar, sweets and splendid memories! 

And I PROMISE I am working on my picture quality!! It will only take 5 years to get it right...but I wont give up, and one of these days, you'll be AMAZED at how well I manipulate the light, surrounds and setting, and CAPTURE them all in a beautiful photo. Just you wait. :)

Dear....

Dear Hank: I will miss the days when your chubby little fingers search the paper, looking for letters
 to circle, and the effort you give to holding your pencil, just so.

Dear Charlie: You were amazing and determined, in your karate class.
You worked SO hard, just to earn clips, so you could choose a ninja sword, for both you and Hank.
So so generous of you to choose a prize to give away, after you worked so hard.

Dear Denver:
We are sorry it took us over a year to attend your Botanical Gardens. However, we choose the most beautiful day to go, and were totally blown away at the beauty you had to offer. Job well done!

Dear Crib: 

Hank adored you. He loved you. He'd run his fingers through the soft sheets that covered the mattress. 

He would climb in, and out, and be so content. We're sorry to replace you, but time has moved on.

Good bye crib. Hello big boy bed. 

Dear Pumpkin Patch: 

WOW! Certainly a cold day, and the landing of the slide could have been a bit more gentle on the toosh, but overall, laughs were heard, smiles were seen, and memories were made. 

Dear GAO (Government Accountability Office) 

Although disappointed, at great lengths, when the government announced a shut down, in the end of it all, the Sanders family enjoyed, to great lengths, having our pop home with us. 

The first week, of Jeff at home, we were all stressed, but by week 2 and 3, we had FUN down to a science. 

Bowling. Games. Bike Rides. More Games. Painting. Walks. More Games.....

In the end, 3 weeks brought more pleasure then pain, and, we're survivors!! 

Thanks for the treat and allowing us to enjoy each other a bit more this year. 

Dear accessories: The mask, aka Foxie, that Hank is wearing, has become a beloved 6th member of our family. The mask is worn and loved, on a daily basis. And as for Charlie's teeth, well, thank heavens they aren't real. If so, I think we'd be living out of a cardboard box, just to afford dental care.

Dear Pen: 

Please never run out of ink. 

This picture demonstrates Hanks 0's, H's (at the far right) and an illustration of dada. 

Dear life:
Oh, you have been so good to us!! With each passing day, we are grateful! We rejoice! We sing praise for our lives!! We are so blessed!