Great friends here for a visit...

Last weekend we had some very fun visitors--our great friends the Westovers and the Turners. 

It was so good to see them. Our kids had a blast playing and we were just so glad to have them come see us while they were both in town to go to the temple (or had intentions of going right Turners??) Can't wait for these guys to come back for another temple trip.  So--whose next to come visit?? We'll tend your kids and you can go to the temple--not a bad deal!

The Blood's and the Westover's--we should have "zoomed"in a bit to see us all better before the self timer took the picture!

Kelsey, Malea, Eva, and Kiah having sooo much fun together. Kelsey has been crying for Kiah ever since she left. 

My dear friend Amy Turner--we lived in Lexington together for 3 years and just love her! 

The Blood and Turner kids. Bryce is 8 and incredible on the piano--thanks for playing for me Bryce--I'm still totally impressed. 

Halloween Celebrating begins!

Grandma Bell has a great tradition of throwing an awesome Halloween Party every year--so since she and Phil and Lisa were here this last weekend we had to keep the tradition going. Blaine and I have never really had costumes to dress up in--but this year I made us costumes. They will probably be our costumes for the rest of our lives. The party involves three main events: 

1. Pin the Tie on the Ghost

2. Great Neptune of the Sea--where you ask "Great Neptune" behind the sheet for a prize and you put your fishing line over and he gives you a prize. 

3. The Ghost Cake--which is a cake with a ghost with real flaming eyes--its a big hit. 

We had so much fun! Even better to have the Moore's here with us to celebrate!! 

"The Big Bad Wolf" and "Little Red Riding Hood"

All the kids ready to party (We had to put Ellie to bed because she was having a melt down she was so tired.)

Kelsey playing "Pin the Tie on the Ghost"

Grandma and Emma as "Kitties"

The Fabulous Moore's

Mount Vernon on the Potomoc

We visited Mount Vernon this last weekend with Blaine's mom and his brothers family. Mount Vernon is the name for George Washington's beautiful mansion home and farm that overlooks the Potomoc River. It is one of my favorite places here and we went on the perfect Fall day. George Washington was an incredible man--how lucky we are that good men like this once lived to start our country. 

Cam in front of the front lawn and mansion.

I love this picture--Cam and Ellie with the Potomoc River in the background--it really is a spectacular view. This is the view George Washington had from his back porch!

Our family in front of the Washinton Mansion
 

This is a replica of a famous portrait of George Washington. The original hangs in the White House--Blaine and I actually went on a tour of the White House today and saw the original!

Cameron turns 7!

Cameron celebrated his 7th bday on Sunday! It was fun to be in Pittsburgh with cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents to celebrate--that hasn't happened since he turned one!  Cameron is a great kid--here's what we love about him:

1. He's our little science guy--he can tell you more than you ever wanted to know about animals and science stuff.  He's learning about fungus right now at school--today he wanted to do an experiment to grow mold on a piece of bread. Is that FUN or what?!

2. He loves books--he asked Santa for science books last year. 

3. He can make friends with anyone.

4. He says his prayers and reads scriptures every night all on his own. 

5. The force is strong with this one--young Jedi Cameron. 

6. He loves hanging out with his Dad. He still hugs me when I drop him off at school. He is a great brother to his sisters (most of the time). 

Cam--Happy Birthday! We love you so much. 

Weekend in Pittsburgh

We are just 4 short hours away from Blaine's brother Phil and his family! We went there last weekend to celebrate the birthdays of Grandpa Bell, Emma, and Cameron (on the 18, 19, & 21) and to see our sweet neice Emma be baptized. Our sweet Dad Blaine was left at home once again because he had to be at a mandatory class over the weekend and it was so sad that he wasn't there with us and his whole family! Emma's baptism was wonderful! She set a great example for all her cousins. Then we headed to Chucky Cheese for more celebration--our kids LOVE that place. Great times! AND--we saw our dear friends the Westovers who just moved to Pittsburgh which was wonderful! I forgot to take any pictures but they are doing great!

Hanging out downtown with Grandma

We spent the afternoon hanging out downtown with Grandma Bell on a beautiful day! I love this city! We went to the National Aquarium which wasn't spectacular--but it kept the kids entertained. Then we just strolled past the White House and had a great time. We LIVE here!! So fun! 

Wearing Mommy's "Slippers"

So Ellie loves to wear my high heels---she calls them her "slippers". Every little girl needs a pictures in their mom's high heels right?