happy halloween 2016

Halloween is probably one of the most favorite holidays of the year around our house. We carved pumpkins and had a little get together in our cul de sac. But one of our little ghouls didn't feel so well, but we'll get to that. Ollie was so excited to pull the top off of his pumpkin...can you tell?

Charlotte was a little grossed out...can you tell?

Ollie was a little concerned at first why we were poking so many holes in his pumpkin, but after the grand reveal, he was impressed.

Our nephew Ben got a new football and he was really excited about. Go Bengals!

A little checkers on the back patio.

Here are the finished products. Ollie picked out Curious George and Charlotte just wanted a snowflake. Jon did the Bengals logo, Amanda did an owl and Ben free handed a scary face.

Mommy turning our kiddos into Dalmatian puppies for trick-or-treating.

Cutest puppies on the block.

Ollie played the part well as usual and was crawling around everyone barking and pawing at things with his gloves, errr...paws.

Charlotte didn't go to school that day because she was a little under the weather. After she got her face painted she kind of broke down and decided that she wasn't going to trick or treat. This happened last year too. Doesn't she just look pitiful?

But Ollie was pumped and ready to go!

Awwww.

Can you tell that this boy is ready to go?

This was him telling me that we needed to go to just 3 more houses for candy.

We wish that Charlotte and mommy could have made it, but the boys had fun walking around our neighborhood and getting some good loot. Ollie even made sure that he got some extra for his sissy and was certain to give it to her right when we got home.

we love rva

We have been in Cincy now for about three years, but either way 3/4 of the family was born in Va and we have so many friends and loved ones in Richmond that going back is exciting for the whole family. We took our first trip back this past weekend and we had a great time seeing so many people! We took two days to travel stopping often and watching lots of movies in the car, but the kids did great and really enjoyed seeing the mountains and water falls (from the flooding in West Virginia).

We also stopped by both of the kids first houses.  C was super excited and O not so much!

The main purpose of our trip was to go to a wedding of a close family friend.  It was a beautiful night and the wedding was one of the best we have been to, it was also nice that we got to hang out with some great friends at the wedding.

Of course the kids loved meeting all of their Va friends again.  Charlotte and Connor really hit it off and C wants to know when they are coming to Cincinnati!

Trip #2 was a success, trip #3 here we come!

father's day 2016

Our family is so busy this summer and although we are having fun, I wanted to make sure that I got pictures up of this sweet daddy and his babies this father's day. He does such an excellent job taking care of his family and also excels at crafting with C, building things with O, feeding us some great food and being a great example of Jesus to his family. We love you!

a preschool graduation

Could Charlotte Gray really be going to Kindergarten in just a couple of short months? It seems just like yesterday that she was starting preschool as a four year old!  I think we are in a bit of denial but when you ask Charlotte she says that she can't go to Kindergarten yet because she has some traveling to do! We do have a fun filled summer planned, but I want to first make sure that we have some pictures of our preschool grad.

Charlotte seemed a bit emotional on graduation day, but I think it is because she so loves her preschool teacher Mrs. Miller and this year she is smart enough to know what all comes with graduation. Charlotte had a great year with Mrs. Miller and she learned more than we could even imagine.  I don't know how many times she would do something and when asked how she knew that she always answered, "Mrs. Miller taught me!"

We have already begun our morning school work to help us not forget anything before Kindergarten and Oliver has even joined in on the fun by practicing his name. Happy Days was a wonderful preschool and lived up to its reputation.  Luckily, one more Hess baby will be starting next year!