Pink Hair, Pumpkins & Olympia Candy

This October we headed to downtown Goshen for First Friday. They shut down part of the streets and have vendors, music and arts and crafts.

After walking around for awhile the girls wanted to get pink hair extensions. Then we headed over to the arts and crafts area and the girls decorated pumpkins.

Lastly we finished the evening off at Olympia for burgers, fries and candies of course.

It was a perfect evening with the family.

Juday Fall Party

Our friends the Judays recently had a fall party at their new home. We enjoyed good food and fun with friends and family.
They had games for the kids and Ryan loaded up the tractor for a HUGE hayride! The kids had a great time as did the adults. They had a country-style band play in the polebarn. We kept warm outside with a great bonfire.
Thanks for the great time Judays!

The Nickell ladies...minus a couple.

Taylin and the Miller boys

Hayride time!

A Magical Halloween

Walt Disney World...there are no words to completely describe this experience. For adults and kids alike. We visited for our second time this October...the last time we were there Jaycie was still tiny. We wanted to go again so that she could enjoy things that she couldn't last time and hopefully remember more.

Our first night in we went to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party...
It was dark as we entered the park and so Cinderella's castle was lit up. As the tram neared the Magic Kingdom, Jaycie shouted, "Mommy, it's Cinderella's castle!" Listening to her excitement and complete belief in Cinderella's existence melted my heart and of course made me teary-eyed.

Some highlights of this year's trip were:

1. Bibbity Bobbity Boutique...where the girls were literally transformed into Tiana from "Princess and the Frog"
2. The Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Parade...with barrels and barrels and barrels of candy.
3. Meeting Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen.
4. Meeting Mickey, Minnie and all the characters. They LOVED the fairies...Tinkerbell and Vidia.
5. Tay's love for rollercoasters emerged for the first time...who knew?!? We rode Big Thunder Mountain Railroad twice. The first time we went Taylin screamed with excitement and put her hands in the air most of the ride, a smile plastered on her face...Jaycie cried at the end. Needless to say it was just Tay and her Momma the second time around. If Tay could have had her way we would have ridden it 10 more times!
6. Just hanging out at the hotel and relaxing. The girls really enjoyed the many pools and our weather was AWESOME!

Tim and I feel very blessed that we are able to give our children this unbelievable vacation experience. We wish that all kids had the means to do the same. It truly is a magical place.

Mom and Dad were able to join us for the trip...Dad for just a couple days.

Our very own Princess Tianas!

Dinner at Fulton's Crabhouse with my parents....very good!

Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen

Our first meeting with Mickey at Hollywood Studios

Minnie was sooooo tiny! Adorable.

Princess Jasmine and Aladdin

My mom stayed back with the girls one night so Tim and I could have a night out!

Princess and the Frog!

And another...

My Prince Charming!

Happy 30th Sis!

My little sis is turning 30 this month and my mom and I decided to throw her a bash at our house. We had lots of food and drinks and Tim got the back yard all set up with lights and two bonfires...everyone had a great time. We were very worried about the weather since it is October and we just had a cold spell. But we were very lucky - it was gorgeous and we enjoyed the whole party outside.

Happy Birthday Leigh Leigh. I love you!

We Love You Jack!

This summer, I experienced my first Jack Johnson concert with my mom and my sister. A few years ago, if you would have asked me who he was I would have had no idea. He is now one of my absolute favorite artists. His music is so relaxing and unique. Anytime I listen to him it makes me want to be on a beach somewhere. Tay and Jaycie like him too...afterall, he did do the entire Curious George soundtrack!

We Scream for Chief Ice Cream!

Several times a summer we make time to head over to The Chief. They have the BEST peanut butter ice cream EVER! The girls love it too! In fact, on this visit we ALL got the peanut butter ice cream.

Here Fishy Fishy!

Fish. That's as close to a pet as the Cress household gets...at least for now. We have been through many goldfish in this house. The beta fish usually last a bit longer. One of the first times that a fish died, the girls seemed to be more excited about flushing them down the toilet than anything. Now, as time has gone on, the girls seem to be a bit more attached. Tay has had a few meltdowns about a few and also seems convinced that a couple have been pregnant. She wants to see baby fish so badly. :)