Halloween 2013

Our girls start perusing the costume catalogs as soon as they arrive and they go back and forth with their costume choice. This year was no different and the costumes choices were adorable!

Camille wanted to be a bunny rabbit (random but cute). Luckily, we've had these bunny ears for 10 years thanks to Aunt Suzanne who gave them to Julia for her first Easter! Paired with a random ballet costume from our dress up bin and we were set. 

This is Camille's version of a smile these days! :)

Bella chose to be a 50's girl and rocked it!

Julia and another friend decided to be super heroes and borrowed this costume from a friend.

Julia's group of friends (and their parents) decided to Trick or Treat together this year. We met at one house for dinner before hand. 

Rhiannon, Mikayla and Julia

Bella and Maddie

 

 Mia, Camille and Brody

Chet was still at work at this point...

But arrived home in time for the candy fest!

(Can you tell that Julia hit a growth spurt this summer??)

Most of the gang

Our 3 that despise being asked to take one more picture while there is candy to be had!

We came back to our friend's house, let the kids devour their candy while the adults hung out!

Halloween Party 2013

Nanny and Papa held their annual Halloween Party for the grand kids. As usual, they both out did themselves and the kids had a great time.

Bobbing for apples!

The adult section :)

Camille sitting next to Rapunzel (Keeley) and her long hair :)

The cute crew!

Life according to my phone

Since Camille's preschool is play based, I taught her to write her own name. 

A+ for Camille and Mom!

Bella and her dance buddies waiting for class.

Still hot enough for the zoo splash pad!

Ready to help at the grocery store!

Killing time during an indoor soccer practice (rare rainy night).

The Lamis cousins pouring over Halloween catalogs at Nanny and Papa's house

Bella and Brennan are so goofy together!

Camille protecting Keeley during a scary movie moment. :) 

Snuggling with Nanny!

Waiting for the Ballet Under the Stars at Tempe Center for the Arts. Awesome show!

Julia getting an adjustment from a fellow soccer mom/chiropractor after an injury. Lucky girls!

Soccer overload

Our soccer club has taken over Julia's life but it's a good thing. She is so committed and dedicated to the sport and her team and enjoys being a part of this organization. The Barcelona club teaches individual development and team communication/growth as opposed to playing the stronger girls just to win games and move up within the division. It has taught us all a lot about the philosophy and mentality of a soccer team. Julia is the youngest player on this team of 11-15 yr olds but is very well liked, especially amongst the older girls who have taken her under their wing. 

They practice 3 nights a week plus Saturday games and tournaments. Julia has yet to ask for a night off! She sometimes gets home at 9pm, exhausted but ready for the next night of practice.

a team get together at Barro's

 

 Early morning game!

The team with Coach Bianca (far left)

Some of her team members at a fundraiser dinner

7am game and still smiling!

 My Hope Solo fan chose Hope's #9 for her jersey

 Motivational wristbands to encourage the girls not to give up and play for their motivators.

 Long day of tournament play!

Full plate

With weekly Student Council meetings (she campaigned and was elected school historian), 3 late nights of soccer practice and Saturday soccer games, Julia's (and my) plate is quite full. She enjoys track and just joined the school cross country team which adds 2 more days to her schedule. She really likes the individual aspect of this sport and is quite fast amongst the girls in her grade. Her athletic side also knows that running is good for soccer and running during soccer builds up her endurance as well.

In 6th grade, I just wanted to skip softball practice so I could read more or hang out with my friends. This girl is impressive!

Julia with her beloved P.E. teacher and track coach Mrs. Jones

 

 Running in the field before hitting the pavement

Her own space part 2

 Bella loved her own space but with red walls and no furniture except for a bed, it didn't feel like her own room yet. I love redecorating and putting a vision together but dislike painting. Chet dislikes it more so guess who had to convert red walls (a difficult task) into a light turquoise? After a day of priming followed by a day of painting, her room was starting to look more like a room fit for a girl. I have since added decor and refinished furniture (completed pictures to come in part 3).

 Goodbye red!

  

Never said I was a careful painter!

 

Daddy daughter time

Chet won Diamondback tickets from work and decided to take Bella this time. She was beyond excited for her 'date' with Daddy! She is starting to enjoy all the things he does (music, art, etc) and couldn't wait to go. Chet texted me throughout the evening to tell me that she (like most kids) was more excited about the cotton candy and every other food vendor that walked by! :)

They were awesome seats! Lucky Bella!