This years Halloween was celebrated on two different occasions. Both of which were not actually on Halloween. I decided that every eight years when Halloween is on a Sunday we will not go trick or treating. I’m sure on those years there will always be lots of parties prior to Sunday so the kids shouldn’t feel too bad. Plus I think it’s a good way to teach them about not compromising the Lord’s standards to fit into the world.

The first party we celebrated halloween at was full of kids, kids, and more kids! Hallie was so excited to finally wear her Cinderella dress that Nanna made for her. Thanks mom!! I decided not to put Kyle in his full on costume because it was so warm and we were going to be inside. So he got to wear a halloween inspired outfit instead.

The next party we attended was thrown by our church. It didn’t start until 7 pm which is Hallie’s bed time so we only stayed for a few minutes and I didn’t take any pictures. Ben decided not to go with us (he hates Halloween!) so it was impossible to hold Kyle, help Hallie play the games and take pictures.

Here are some pictures I took tonight since Kyle never got the real chance to be a lion.


After the third halloween with kids I have learned that I will always be alone on halloween. Ben refuses to celebrate or attend parties. He did say however that when Halloween falls on a Monday (family night) he will go trick or treating with us. Yay for every eight years! lol

I guess I never put “likes to celebrate halloween” on my list of what I wanted in my husband. 🙂

We hit the road and decided to do another road trip a couple weekends ago. There is a place called Luray Caverns that, from pictures, looked simply amazing. It was a 2 hour car ride and the kids are never good in the car so we left saying a prayer that we would make it to the caverns without any meltdowns.

Ever since we stopped putting Kyle in his car seat to sleep he has started to improve during car rides. He still has his moments but for the most part he was an angel those 2 hours. Hooray! I wish I could say the same thing for Hallie. She was awful! I guess by 2 years old I figured she would have grown out of her “horrible traveler” stage. But alas not yet!

One of the coolest things that surprised us was the fact that the caves were all under the store/tourist shop. Ben and I figured we would get on a bus and drive somewhere else but instead they opened up a door and we simply went down stairs. It was remarkable! They give you a tour guide and head phones to walk you through the caverns. The tour is just over an hour. The place is huge!

On the way home we decided to take the scenic drive through the Shenandoah mountains. It was so beautiful! I don’t know how people can look at nature and not believe in God.

It was awesome to see the amazing caves and the beautiful mountains. Nature is truly stunning!

Too bad there was construction on the way home and what was supposed to be a 2 hour drive turned into a 5 hour drive. Ahhh!!!! It’s amazing I still have hair and finger nails after that car ride!

Personally I think Hallie is hilarious. Every night when Ben gets home I sit there and ramble off all the funny things Hallie did or said. Lately I’ve been trying to be better about writing them down. Here are a few:

Sunday morning conversation:

Mom: What’s your name?

Hallie: Marie Crane

Mom: Correction-Hallie Marie Crane

Hallie: Points to each family member and says, Kyle Marie Crane, Mommy Marie Crane, Daddy Marie Crane

After telling her what our names really were we asked her one more time “what’s your name?” She said, “Cinderella Crane”

Tuesday Conversation:

M: Hallie Kyle is sleeping what would you like to do just the two of us?

H: Umm cook dinner

Setting the scene: I’m cutting potatoes and Hallie is putting them in them pot.

H: Mommy it’s talk time

M: Okay what would  you like to talk about?

H: Jesus, Heavenly Father

Mom smiles!! 🙂

Thursday Conversation:

H:See you later momma. I going to castle…prince.

M: Just make sure he’s good looking before you kiss him.

H: Be right back momma

Car Conversation:

H: Jesus house big. My house small.

Hallie came downstairs and informed me that her Barbie doll was going poop. I said, “Oh really!” and then brushed it aside. Later when I went upstairs this is what I found. Silly girl!!

It was pretty ingenious of her to turn the potty around and use the pee blocker to hold the barbie up. (That is if it was on purpose.) lol

I haven’t posted any new recipes for a long time!! Having a baby will do that to you I guess. 🙂 Things have started to settle down and I’m starting to get the hang of this 2 kid thing so voila new recipes. Enjoy!

Taco Braid

Really yummy but it needs veggies to go along with it. Preferably lettuce.

Beef and Bean Burrito

Again with the lettuce.

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos

Mine ended up being more like burritos I stuffed them so full. Good none the less.

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Loved these!

Hearty One Dish Breakfast

Good and easy.

Cafe Rio Taco Salad

Mouth watering! It takes a lot of work though. I told Ben it was his birthday dinner a week early.

Ultimate Nachos

Chicken Potpie with Biscuits

Arab Rolls

We loved these. Crispy outside. Soft inside.

Kettle Corn

Oh so good! Sugar makes everything better.

The same day we went to the apple orchard we decided to drive an extra 30 minutes and experience a civil war reenactment. One of the reasons we love living out here in VA is because of all the history surrounding us. Ben and I both love history! This reenactment was awesome. As soon as we pulled up and saw the tents sent up for the union and the confederate sides, the cannons, and all the soldiers in uniform I got excited. It really was one of the coolest experiences.

What a great day!

We had the best day on Saturday. We started it off by taking turns sleeping in and straightening up the house. Then we got in the car and drove for an hour to an apple orchard. I had never been apple picking and had heard great things about it from friends. I’m so happy we were able to go. Hallie had funny picking the apples and of course tasting them. She loves anything that involves food! lol

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We blessed Kyle last Sunday and it was a wonderful experience. My parents were able to be in town and we had many friends and family join us at Church and then at our home afterwards for a little luncheon. We are so grateful for all the people who came. Many people drove quite the distance and rearranged plans in order to share Kyle’s special day with us and we really appreciated it. (We have the best friends!) My fabulous mother threw a wonderful little party full of lots of good food. She is so good at things like that. She pays attention to detail and spoils everyone around her. I wish I would have taken a picture of the food setup she created. It was amazing! Thank you Mom!

Ben gave Kyle a beautiful blessing. He blessed Kyle with health and happiness, a love of learning and a quick mind, a deep faith and a desire to learn and follow true principles. He said that Kyle would have love and charity for the people around him and he would be a light to them as well. He also blessed Kyle to be an example to his sister and his parents. And lastly Ben told Kyle that he was born into a family that loved him very much and that Heavenly Father knew and loved him as well.

It was a beautiful day. We just wish Ben’s family could have been here to share it with us. Crane’s we missed you!!!!

The day finally came when we got to go back to Cox Farm! I had seriously been looking forward to this day since last year. It is such a fun place. I love seeing Hallie happy and having fun.

We started out with the piggies.

Then Hal and Nanna looked for pennies in the hay.

Then it was off to feed the goats. This was Hallie’s  third time feeding goats this year. She is becoming a pro!

Lots of slides!

Little calfs!

Coolest  hay ride ever!

Quality time with Papa eating kettle corn.

More slides

Posing with her favorite princess’ pumpkin carriage.

Again with the slides

Nanna and Papa with two of their grandkids

I have cute kids!

And last but not least we each got to pick out a pumpkin to take home. Well…Hallie picked them out for us.  (FYI: Hal is being silly in the pic not crying.)

Until next year…… 🙂

I just found my motivator to lose 10 pounds!

You see if I wear heels when I’m fat I feel like a pig on stilts….so 10 pounds down and I’ll be wearing these puppies around town! BooYeah!