Some Updates...

First of all...it's OCTOBER! Hard to believe...October 1st is always our date to decorate for fall. And, Kendyll has not forgotten. However, we simply could not fit it in to today. So, we're hoping October 2nd will be a better day for all pumpkins and fall leaves to make their appearance.

So, before another month goes by, here are a few things that occurred in our house during September (split into two or three blogs):

1) I mentioned before that Mark was gone for a long week earlier this month. And, while that is very difficult on us while he is gone (I cried...and couldn't stop...when he left this time.)...I have to say that the reunions are so sweet, and I treasure those days when we're all back together so much. I always know how much the girls are missing him because I'm living with it every day he's gone. But, I don't always think about how hard it is for a Daddy to be without his girls for that many days! When we picked him up at the airport, he started crying as soon as he saw our car. As I drove up to the curb, I could see his "cry face". He got in the backseat, hugging on our little ones, and couldn't even speak, he was crying so much. Needless to say, so was I! The girls didn't know what to think!

Anyway, Mark is always smothered with hugs, and thrown right into fun with the girls within minutes of him walking in the door. Here are the first few "Daddy's Home" hugs...
Followed immediately by some new "foot game" that Kendyll has learned during recess. (notice his suitcase right behind them...he literally just walked in.) I love watching these moments and capturing them with pictures. The girls' joy of having him home is just priceless.
Within minutes, Kendyll & Carlie put on their favorite dress-up, picked Daddy a suit and tie from his closet, and they all dressed up for a dance party with their prince. I have to say he's quite a cute prince!! :) And, yes, the suitcase is still there...

2) Our cutie-patootie Abby Kate was having a bit of a hair issue. In fact, I will just say it...her hair was ugly. :) It was a full mullet with wispy ends that stuck out straight. I knew this, but I just didn't ever take the time to do anything about it.

So, she has had her first official haircut, and it's SO much cuter now! She wasn't so sure about the whole experience, but she did better than I expected! Here she is with the mullet still intact...
Here is a picture that I believe highlights the true ugliness of her previous hairdo...
And, here's our fashionable toddler with a stacked bob. So cute I could eat her up!!!
(Oh, and by the way, while I'm on the subject of Abby Kate. Happy 19 month birthday. I still owe you a gigantic post about your life for the last six months. I promise it's coming!!!)

3) Kendyll and Carlie are both taking ballet as their "extra" activity this year. They are at two different dance studios, which makes life interesting. :) But, it's been fun to watch how each class suits them perfectly. Kendyll's is much more for big girls. They require a specific leotard and a ballerina bun for each class session. And, the big exciting thing has been the opportunity to audition for The Nutcracker!! The dance studio warned us that everyone has to audition and are not guaranteed a part. So, this was "big time" for us and we tried to explain to Kendyll that she may be in the show, or she may get to sit in the audience and cheer on her friends! After her parents almost made her too late to the audition to even be admitted, she slid in at the last minute and gave it her all. She had to wear an audition number, demonstrate that she could learn the steps easily, be confident, and show her smile. She did a great job, apparently, and is now a gingerbread girl in the Dallas Ballet Company's Nutcracker! She is VERY excited (except for the fact that the gingerbread don't wear tutu's), and now Mommy just hopes she can buy enough tickets for the gobs of family who want to watch her perform. Should be fun! Here she is on the morning of auditions...our beautiful ballerina.

Okay, there is more...but I'll have to come back tomorrow. Stay tuned for Freshman Follies, a weekend at the ranch, cousin lovin', and an official entry about our forgotten third child. :)