Halloween

It's been a couple fun filled days celebrating Halloween. I found some pictures of this darling clown costume online and attempted to recreate it for Jenna's costume. It didn't turn out exactly like I had pictured, but pretty close. I think she looks darling, but realize I am completely biased.

We started by hitting the local church's "Trunk or Treat" on the 29th. Instead of going the traditional trick or treating from house to house, this seems to be what's happening more and more in our area. I guess to keep the kid's safe, but I much prefer the original. I hope we will continue to do both as Jenna gets older.

Then because the 31st fell on a Sunday, Halloween was celebrated on Saturday, the 30th. So in the afternoon we had a neighborhood costume parade. It was really a lot of fun. All the kids dressed up and then we just did a quick loop around the hood. Everyone seemed to enjoy it and we had a pretty good turn out.

Jenna did such a good job holding still during make-up.

She was pretty entertained by herself. Not that that is that unusual.

 

Then we headed over to Grandma Liisa's for Jenna's very first time Trick or Treating.

She started doing to this crazy rolling around is circles thing. It was absolutely cracking us all up. I tried to capture it on video.

It was a great night and I wouldn't change a thing about it. Every day I am more and more grateful for our little one. She is such a joy! Happy Halloween all. From one that is "So Cute It's Scary"

A real high chair!

We have finally given in and purchased Jenna a real high chair. Until now we have been able to get away with using a Bumbo. But she has become such a wiggle worm we decided it was best to have something we could strap her into, and secure the high chair as well. She took to it like smooth on butta...

P.S. How do you like that mischievous little grin? I'm so screwed.

Zion's

 I love when we head up to Zions and go for a walk. There is just such a sense of peace and harmony while you are there. I wish we did it more often. Thought I would share a couple of shots from our afternoon stroll today. I won't tell you how many attempts it took to get a picture with all of us looking at the camera. That 11 month old of ours just would not cooperate.

Honestly...

I love how she crosses her feet. She does it all the time.

I know he's not my kid, but I'm going to brag anyway.

My nephew, Cooper Quarders, was born just three days before Jenna. My sister, Sara, and I have decided to host a joint first birthday party since most of the guest list would overlap anyway. Because they are November babies, we are going with a "Our Little Pumpkins are Turning One!" theme and Sara just sent me these great pics of Cooper at the pumpkin patch to use on the invitation. How darling are these?

The Jenna Rose Collection

For the last couple of years I have been working for Stuart Breinholt and Liisa Frei as their real estate assistant. A job I have absolutely LOVED. With the slowing in the market and Jenna consuming my life I have stopped working for them, but still needed a little income to continue to pay off the loan we took out to cover a portion of the adoption fees. My brilliant friend, Kim Henrie told me I should sell some frames on Etsy, a website for homemade and vintage items. I have a wall of empty frames in our living room that I refurbished.

I thought, hell...I'll give is a shot. If it doesn't work out at least it will give me something to do. Little did I know it would take over my life (and house)...Thank God I have a patient husband.

It's a work in progress obviously. But if you like to support my hobby new venture, you can find us at by clicking any of the buttons at the top of the blog or by using this link.

Bayleigh and Jenna

Casey's aunt and uncle, Val and Larry Cazier, brought their granddaughter Bayleigh down for a quick weekend in St. George. We joined them last night for dinner. It's always good to get a little time with them. Bayleigh is so cute with Jenna. The first time she held Jenna she was just days old and threw up all over Bayleigh. Almost a full year later and Bayleigh has NOT forgotten, so holding her again was a big deal!

Big Bear for Big Papa

The Family at Big Bear

For my Dad's 59th birthday this year, he invited all of us for a weekend in Big Bear. We had an amazing time! We celebrated both my Dad's bday and my brother, Scoot's. It went surprisingly better than I thought that it would. There were no fights or drama, nothing but pure fun. We all were assigned a meal to cook for the family and it worked out really well. There were enough bedrooms in the cabin that three of the four kids got their own. (Thanks Jose, for taking the hit and sleeping on the couch.) We arrived on my Dad's actual birthday, October 1. The weather was a bit drizzly, so the first day we mostly just hang around the cabin. Holly made a fabulous cake for the celebration. And we played a fun game of LCR (a dice game where you pass your winning Left/Center/Right. It was so much fun.)

Jenna was a bit overwhelmed by Cooper.

She had a much better time playing calmly with Chloe.

And talking with Grandpa Randy

Just hanging out.

Kylie gave Jen and me a back massage. She's so darling!

Like Father Like Son...

The next morning we all seemed to congregate in Chris and Sara's room as we each awoke. Honestly, all of us just hanging out in our pj's is still one of my favorite memories of the trip!

Not sure what Beetlejuice is doing in the background...jackass.

How darling is my niece, Shiloh?

For Scoot's portion of the birthday celebrations, he requested that we go bowling. My brother missed his calling as a professional bowler. He brought his own ball and shoes and was cracking me. I, on the other hand, was reminded once again what a completely terrible bowler I am. It was so much fun watching Kylie and Chloe bowl. It was great idea of Scoot's. Fun activity and got us out of the cabin for a little bit. 

Kylie was so excited for bowling!

Sara helped Chloe, but she did great. We figured out about half way through to have the bumpers automatically come up for Chloe and Kylie and it made a HUGE difference.

In case you were wondering, that Scoot's ball cleaning rag in his hand. Seriously missed his calling...

Love these two.

Love these two, too!

After bowling, the afternoon was spent having naps, playing board games, and generally just chilling.

The Quarders clan

Kylie and me. Adore her.

Chloe and Casey have a little bit of a love thing going on. She just can't get enough of him. It's just so sweet.

Me and Christoph.

We also did a little photo shoot during the sunset. The pictures don't quite do the beauty of the place justice.

After dinner, Kylie had the spectacular idea of having a family talent show. It was so utterly fabulous! Though below you will see pictures, one you will not see is of me dancing. The photographic evidence of my "running man" will, praise God, never be published!

Christoph juggling...known him for 15 years, never knew he could juggle.

Tooty Looty touching his nose with his tongue. He also showed the flexibility of his double jointed elbows by touching them together. 

Sara and Chloe (only not really) sang a song.

Kylie did gymnastics.

And Jen did a little boogying! Pure joy.

All too soon the day was at an end and it was time for everyone to head to bed. We grabbed a quick shot of all the cousins in their pajamas before nighty night. This really was the best shot we got. Hard to get 4 toddlers/babies to look at the right place.

(L to R) Chloe Quarders, Shiloh Malan, Cooper Quarders, Kylie Read, and Jenna Madsen

The next day it was time to head home. None of us were ready! I could have done another week there easy. It was so fun for all the cousins to get some good time together. And to get to know all of them just a little better. It's hard sometimes living so far away from everyone. It could be worse, and I fly free. So in so many ways, we are incredibly lucky. I haven't lost sight of that. Nonetheless, I wouldn't hate living in San Diego. Here are a few pics of the last of our time in Big Bear. I realize this post has been forever long. So thanks for enduring.

Grandpa having the time of his life feeding Cooper and Jenna

Me, Chloe, Sara, Jenna, and Grandma Holly

My dad with two of girls.