Happy 5th Birthday Cora!

It seems like yesterday I was heading to St. Mary's hospital to meet my little girl and wondering if she would have red or brown hair?!  Our sweet Cora turned 5 years old yesterday!  We had an awesome party at Pump It Up (which she has been asking for this party since this summer!)  We had a ton of her friends and family for the party and it was a big turn out!  Cora had a blast and was exhausted by the end of the evening with all of that bouncing!  I am so proud of my sweet Cora and the little girl she has become.  She is smart, funny, energetic, kind, and loving.  She amazes me every day with something new.  Her beautiful little face makes me smile along with her short red hair.  I am so thankful to be her mom.  She (and her brother) are what make life so exciting and adventurous.  I love you the moon and back my sweet Cora Hillyer!!

And a huge THANK YOU to my sister for taking these amazing pictures with her new camera:)  She is now our professional photographer for all events!

Two precious girls

So excited to get the party started!

So excited when Daddy came!

Josh LOVED everything!!

Awesome picture!!

Here comes Cora!

So excited!

William and Alex C. from her class...she is in boy heaven!

The group!

Princess Cake!

Ready to eat!

Singing Happy Birthday!

Josh loving his juice

The amazing party favors my Mom made...what a talented Nana we have!

Cora and Nana...they sure do love each other:)

The birthday girl with her Mama and Daddy!

Grammy and Cora!

The girls (of course sitting next to each other)!

Cora adores her Pop

Opening her presents

She got some great gifts!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year!  I have so much to be thankful for...my wonderful family, a good job, our health, and especially my husband and precious children!  We ate lunch at Nana and Pop's house with the McGuires and then headed out to the Nolan's house for dinner. It was a long day with lots of good food!  We had such a good time with both families and are so lucky that everyone is in town!  It was a wonderful day and we are thankful to have celebrated with all of our family.

Our family!

The kids holding hands!

Ready to eat!

R

Josh playing outside!


 

Fall Pictures

Here are just a few pictures from Cora and Josh.  I finally got around to getting Josh's two year pictures at Portrait Innovations...better late than never!!

One of his favorite things...a soccer ball!

Love this little guy:)

That face!!

Love him!

My little girl and I on a nice fall afternoon

The LOVE walking around Echo Lake

It has become a weekly event

This boy loves trucks!

What little cuties!

This melts my heart!

Happy Birthday Madelyn!

Madelyn turned the big 6 a few weeks ago...not sure how this happened?!  I can remember the day I saw her for the first time and thought she was the most beautiful baby I had even seen with Angelina Jolie lips!  Now she is in Kindergarten learning so much every day and still such a little beauty.  I somehow did not get a lot of photos at the party, but here a few from her big day.  It was an awesome Hello Kitty Party with a balloon lady and all!  We all had a great time and enjoyed celebrating a very special little girl!  We love you Madelyn!

The birthday girl!

The balloon lady was awesome!

Josh joining in the Hello Kitty festivities!

U of R Homecoming & Donuts with Dad!

Last week Cora and I went to the U of R homecoming game with the McGuire's and a few other families.  Nana came along with us and we met up with everyone for tail gaiting!  It was such amazing weather that day.  They also had a Kids Zone during the game.  Cora, Madelyn, and Ellie got balloons made, their faces painted, and Cora even went in the bounce house! The game was perfect because it's not a huge campus and no huge crowds.  We had a blast and can't wait until next year!  Also this past Monday, The Gingerbread Cottage had a Donuts with Dad morning.  Sam took her to school and stayed for donuts.  She was so excited to take her Dad to school and show him around.  It was a special time for her to spend with her Daddy.  I get to have Muffins with Mom in the Spring!

Kelly and I with our girls!

All in red!

Of course Cora wanted a princess crown on her forehead! 
Well worth the wait in line!

Cora and her Daddy!

Cora and Lillian have become such good friends these past few years

Happy Halloween!

We had such a great Halloween this year!  The week with was filled with Halloween parties, parades, and lots of candy (too much candy!)  We started off the week with The Parke annual parade at Nana and Pop's!  It is always a great kick off to our Halloween week.  The kids love getting together and trick or treating.  They all looked so cute in their outfits.  The next day I hosted Cora's preschool Halloween party with another mother.  I got to watch her in the school parade that morning.  She looked so cute as Orphan Annie.  She looked just liked her!!  Josh also loved watching his sister in the parade.  And then finally.....Halloween arrived!  We went to the Nolans for our annual party.  Grammy made delicious chilly with mac and cheese.  Their house was all decorated and it is always such a fun occasion!  Annie and the cow had a blast this Halloween...what a great week it was!

Ready for Nana and Pop's parade!

Hello Annie!

Annie and her cow!

Josh was the cutest cow!!

Taking pictures!

Great picture of Nana and Pop with their Grandkids!

Cora at her school parade!  She refused to wear her wig. 
I guess it's not cool to wear a wig at school :)

Halloween party!

So happy!

Carving pumpkins Halloween eve!

Josh loved to watch Daddy carve, but not a fan of the inside mess!

Daddy hard at work

Final products!

Minnie Mouse and the cow

Love his face!

Cow down, cow down (cow was OK!)

Our family on Halloween!