When you're Lucy

Endurance is your middle name. 

Halloween Rundown

 Let me preface this post by telling you how painful it was for me to turn on my flash.  For the last 7 or so weeks I have been taking a photography class and have been shooting in manual since the start of it.  I haven't shot much at night and so in order to soot quickly I took a lot of pictures of my flash.  You probably don't care but I do.  The picture of my Mom is shot in manual and the rest with the flash.  What a difference.

This year we had a princess, cat and zebra.  The girls loved every minute of being dressed up and enjoyed the fun that comes with Halloween.

Friday night we attended the annual Richardson Family Halloween Party.  It was a blast!  The food was yummy, the costumes were creative and the laughs were endless.

Here are a few of the costumes.  I wish I would have been able to get pictures of everyone but I was too busy enjoying the evening.

Carrie and Annie made the cutest little fairies

  Coach Richardson

 Jordan and Nichole as each other.  Jordan had the chest and all.

 Cooper made the cutest little mummy.

 My Mom's Tooth Fairy Costume was great!

I wish I had snapped a picture of Taylor in his Whoopee Cushion costume.  It was great!

Travis once again came through on the pinata.  It endured endless beatings and stayed true to a real Grandma Richardson Pinata.

I love this picture of my crazy brothers.  They are insane.

Last night I took the girls trick or treating to their aunts and uncles.  Our first stop was Uncle Kenny and Aunt Jeanie. 

 The girls made out like bandits.  Aunt Jeanie even sent them home with cookies.  What a weekend!

We've got ourselves a thumb sucker.

For now it's cute.  In 8 months, it won't be.

Sometimes a girl just needs a new do

I took my girls to the salon yesterday.  Kimber came away with this cute little bob.

Lucy's Blessing

 We finally had our sweet little Lucy blessed today.  It was a busy weekend preparing for all of the company, but it turned out to be wonderful!  I know what a sacrifice it can be to travel for these types of occasions so I am grateful for all of our family who made the trip.


The nice thing about having a family gathering like this is it forces your husband (dare I say my husband) to finish a few of the projects around the house that need to be done.  Jared spent Friday afternoon and most of the day Saturday painting my crown moulding and and trim.  He also finished a few other things I have been "patiently" waiting for him to get done. 

I'm really not one to enjoy entertaining other people.  It stresses me out beyond belief!  But for this weekend I decided I was going to make it as easy on myself as possible.  I kept my menu fairly simple and tried to sit back and enjoy everything and everyone.  And as much "enjoying" as I did I also kept myself so busy that I didn't snap one picture!  Thankfully we did get a few quick family pictures, courtesy of Ashby. 

You've gotta love the scowl on Kimber's face.  I had just grabbed her shoes out of her hands and tossed them into the grass.  You would have thought I took a pair of scissors to the straps!  Nevertheless, we have a few pictures to remember the day. 

Looking at this picture has confirmed the thought that Addie and Kimber need major haircuts and I need some serious highlights!  This is what happens when your sister moves and you have to start paying to get your hair done.  You stretch it out as long as possible!

Scoot Over Rover

 I can't believe how fast this last three months has gone!  I love the first few weeks of a baby's life and wish it could last forever.  My sweet little baby is now laughing, rolling onto her side and back,  cooing like crazy and scooting all over.  I snapped these really fast this morning so they are sorta sloppy but this is just a general idea.   

She was laying happily on her blanket while I worked out.

And within a few minutes I was rescuing her from the fireplace bricks. 

I wish it were possible to slow time down just while your kids are young.

In the words of Nacho Libre, "My life is good. Real good. "

The other night I was telling Jared how much I love our life right now.  I feel as though I have always been blessed but each year brings more joy and happiness.  I don't know how many times a day I ask one of my girls "what would our family be without you?"  It's true.  Each of them adds something different to the mix, creating a happy family.

A few weeks ago my friend kept Addie and Kimber for about 30 minutes until Jared arrived to pick them up.  She called a few days later to tell me how impressed she was that my girls got a long so well and she wanted to know what I do.  I don't do anything!  They are just sweet girls who really and truly love each other.  Don't be fooled, we definitely have our moments but the peace sure out weighs the contention.

I love when Kimber will see something on TV or in a store and ask if she can "get that for Addie."  Rarely does she ask for something for herself.  The best part of that is that it is something she honestly thinks Addie would enjoy.  I love hearing Kimber crawl into bed with Addie every night so can Addie read {er, tell} her stories.  I love watching them smother {or in their words "smuggle"} Lucy with hugs and kisses.  I love watching them play together in their room or wrestle on the floor.  I love watching Lucy light up when one of them talks to her and how she gets excited when she watches them laugh and play together, as if she can't wait to join the fun.  And I love moments like this-

Addie wondering how she is going to keep it all together, Kimber cracking up and Lucy wondering what she has gotten herself into.  That is so them.