Can we go trick-or-treating yet? How 'bout now? Now?

Christmas is usually a kid's favorite holiday, with their birthday a close second. Not so much with Molly. Halloween all the way.

She woke up at 7:15, and the first question out of her mouth was "Can we go trick-or-treating?" We finally established the days schedule, and that we'd go after dinner....to which she replied "OK. ((pause pause)) Can we eat dinner now?"

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Have you ever tried to corrall two little wiggling girls in costumes in order to get some pictures, all by yourself? Quite the challenge.

Fairy God-baby Sara

Princess Molly
"Look Mom!! I have wings!!!!!"

I've been told that once the girls stop throwing blow-dryers at each other, they're going to be the best of friends. Looking at this picture, I believe it.

"A tiara!?! Fairy God-babies are supposed to have tiaras, aren't they??"

And if I thought Molly was excited to go trick-or-treating, it paled in comparison to the joy she had having kids show up at our house. That kid was twitching she was so excited everytime the doorbell rang!

Deer Camp 2011

After a 6 1/2 hour drive, we finally arrived at deer camp '11. Mom & Dad were not so sure any camp was worth that long of a drive. But Molly, upon seeing dirt, was convinced. As for the trailer, it was a hit. A 15-foot trailer is a bit cramped, but the heater and dry roof were well worth the close quarters. The girls were a world class welcoming commitee upon arrival each morning and evening.
(Our camp. Amazing how fast a vintage trailer towed behind our beat-up Exploer goes from being vintage cute to white-trash crap... Oh well.)

We experienced sun, rain, sleet, wind, and snow. All within a 20-minute stretch. But fun was had by all...right up to the minute where we had to load the girls back into their carseats for the 6 1/2 hour trip home.

Our new toy...

Because sometimes it rains in Oregon, and kiddos just don't understand being wet in a tent.

More summer

Sara's first introduction to the pool. She was not convinced. Her sister, however, is so excited about the whole darn thing she won't actually play in the pool and keeps doing fly-bys.

(Note the horizontal hair in the background. She's running that fast.)

Molly finally was old enough to stay up for the Fourth of July!!! This is the only picture that she wasn't blurry in - that kid never sat still the entire night.

First sparkler!

A friend makes a sprinkler so much more fun!

"Helping" Daddy with the dishes...

A low tide at a reasonable hour on a beautiful day.

What are the odds?

Gabe pulling double duty. Don't listen to him. He loved it.

Our big girl. She is growing up so fast.

Ahhhhh....summer.......

A visit to Great-Grampy's house is always entertaining, especially when the strawberries are ripe!

And while strawberries were a huge hit, digging in the dirt was even more attractive to a toddler.

Sara stayed awake for once, but prefered being rocked in the cool indoors.

Finally!

15-years after I graduated high school, I finally have my college degree. Finally!

Try telling a toddler where to find Mommy in a sea of black. I don't think she ever found me despite everyone's best effort.
Diploma in hand and making a quick exit. College of Science was 2nd to graduate, and for once my generic last name paid off. Alphabetically I was 30th in line, while a friend who's name started with an S was 309th. Yay to be an Anderson!!

Couldn't have done it without Gabe.

Obligitory candid self portrait...

Molly loved my tassel. Loved it. Wants to wear it everyday. When I tell her she can't wear it, asks me if I'll wear it again....

Who knew bike racks were just tall enough to become a tunnel for a little girl?

After sitting thru the ceremony, Molly ran and ran and ran and ran... I find it amazing we convinced her to sit still long enough to take a couple of family photos!

And now what has become an apparent tradition, the shot of Sara attempting to sleep thru the whole shebang.

Backyard Campout

Molly has been talking incessantly about going camping....that there will be stars, and frogs, and sleeping bags...she goes on and on and on and on...This despite the fact that she screamed all night every night last summer when we went camping.

So, when we heard about the Great American Backyard Campout we decided we were going to participate. And then Gabe picked up a trade for that weekend. Darn.

Today, Gabe got a twinkle in his eye, looked at Molly, and said "Hey Boo, want to go camping with Daddy?"

Setting up the tent

The final setup. Note Molly's 4-wheeler parked nearby in case a quick getaway is required.

Packing up her bag with a lovey, some books, and her binkie. She was very concerned we were going to forget her binkie...
...and they are headed out the back door

During the pre-bed story, Molly wasn't paying much attention. She kept asking if it was going to get dark soon, where were the stars, we go camping now?

Now I've got my fingers crossed she lasts the night....