Halloween 2012 - Astrid & The Dragon

Kate had decided she wanted to be Astrid from "How to Train Your Dragon" months ago. I tried to talk her out of it after not being able to find the costume. She was insistent, so luckily we pulled it off. Paige was her dragon.
I helped out at her Preschool part and we made foam haunted houses and decorated cupcakes. It was fun seeing Kate and her classmates and listening to the Halloween songs they sang.

Another trip to the Pumpkin Patch

The pumpkin patch is way too much fun to just go once. We took another fun trip there with Jed's family. Kate loves running around with all of her cousins - we tried to keep up with her but didn't see much of her all night! When did this girl get so big?
Paige stayed snugged up in the stroller and enjoyed eating her graham crackers and people watching until we let her out to go on the little slides. She wasn't too sure about them at first, but had a huge smile on her face when she reached the bottom.

Weston - 1 wk, 2 days old

I got to go and visit Weston again tonight and actually see Marshall hold him in person (a 1st for me). You forget how tiny he is until you see him again. You can kind of get an idea of his size in the second picture with Marshall holding him.
He is off his IV's and off the lights! Rondi and Marshall get to hold him for 5 minutes a day (so I won't be getting a turn anytime soon - gotta leave all that time for mom and dad!). He was being fed, bundled up, and couldn't be happier or look more cozy!

Pumpkin Patch 2012

What would Preschool be without your BFF and a Pumpkin Patch Field Trip?

Paige got to tag along too.

It took a bit of searching, but Kate found her perfect pumpkin (plus one for Paige, Mom and Grandma).

A favorite of Kate and Zoie's, but they only rode it once - it was quite dusty that day.

Where most of the day was spent playing - on the huge slides of course!

Introducing... Weston David Maughan

My sister had her baby today and he is a cutie! He's born quite early but is doing well in the NICU. I got a chance to go in and see him today and he is just perfect with 10 fingers, 10 toes, and dark hair. He also has the cutest little cry. I can't wait to hold him! (of course when he's a bit bigger :)

Weston David Maughan

2 lbs 11 oz

Atlantis 2012

We just got back from an amazing time at Atlantis, The Bahamas.

WHY WE WENT...

Heads up - this portion is about my dad (just warning my family that reads this :)

Ever since we heard about Atlantis years and years ago, my dad has wanted to take us there. Then when the cancer came back, we all got our passports so that if he felt well enough to go anywhere, we would be ready to go. He just never got better. So, he made my mom promise to take us somewhere fun after he was gone. That's my dad for you, always doing something nice for us kids.

(Now onto the non-sad part)

DAY 1...

Up at 4am to catch our flight to Atlanta, and the Nassau. The kids did great on the plane, much better than I expected. We arrived at Atlantis later that evening, checked in, and went to bed after a long day.

DAY 2...

We headed down to the pool and then to Aquaventure - the Atlantis waterpark. AMAZING. It's unlike any waterpark you've ever seen and has things to do for every age. We had so much fun there.

Kate's favorite place by far was the kids area with a water playground. We went here everyday and she made a few new friends there. Paige loved it too since the water was shallow and warm. We put her in her tube and she would walk around the pool.

 Dinner (and a nap) at Quiznos, right next to the Atlantis harbor that had some crazy expensive boats docked there.

DAY 3...

We visited "The Dig" and saw the largest Manta Rays. They were at least 10 feet across, probably more like 15 or 20.

There is an area where you can touch some of the sea life. We couldn't get Kate to touch any of them.

I was most surprised at how Paige did the entire trip. She took naps at the pool, ate like a champ, and just loved the water. She's a little fish - just like her sister.

DAY 4...

We tried out the beach for the first part of the day. The sand is white and soft. It was jelly fish season, but luckily none of us were stung. Paige loved the sand, and Kate loved the water.

DAY 5...

 Grandma and Paige have the same birthday - and what better way to celebrate than here! We grabbed a couple of oreo cupcakes from dinner and let the tired baby have a few bites. She loved it of course.

DAY 6...
Our flight didn't leave until 5, so we packed up early and headed to the pools for one last dip and one last ride around the river.
Such a fun trip, and I'm planning on going back sometime. It was so fun going to the waterpark everyday, exploring the resort and relaxing.

The Cake Smash

She went to town on this cake. Here's a few for now, check back for more later!