So I have not updated the blog in forever, but I have a very good excuse. We sold our house and moved to Hampstead, NH! All of the paperwork, details, etc. pretty much took over my life so the blog was on the back burner. Really not even on a burner at all. Anyway, to catch you up I’ll start with Halloween. We had a fun night as always, and also had a really great Harvest Party at the church for the community. So fun for the kids as they ate donuts off a string, got their face painted, played in the bouncy house, ate pizza and of course trick-or-treated thru the rooms of the church that were decorated for a theme. A few pics below!
Hannah at the Harvest Party set-up
Josie at the Harvest Party
Ready for trick-or-treating!
Out they go with dad close behind!
Needless to say that between the party and trick-or-treating we had more than enough sweets in the house and had to decide that candy only lasts a month and needs to be disposed of thereafter:)
Our next adventures took place in November when Gramma and Grampa Gillette came out for a visit during Thanksgiving. We really enjoyed having them here and they were able to attend Hannah’s fall assembly. The videos of her singing with her class are located on the media page – check them out! Here are some pics as well:
Girls with Gramma and Grampa
Making Pumpkin Pie
Gramma carving turkey
Hannah entering for the assembly
Josie waiting most patiently
November also brought birthday parties, playdates, hikes, and a commissioned work of art for me. See below!
Josie and Ella at Ella and Tyler's birthday party
Ella and Josie again!
Tyler and Hannah thinking they are HILARIOUS
Hiking at Winnekenni
Completed painting
Hannah also had another assembly at school the day before our move. Make sure to visit the media page so you can see the video clip!
Hannah waiting to sing!
Moving right along…we closed on our new home on December 17. Yes, December 17. The day before our church’s huge weekend of concerts and the week before Christmas. All I can say is that we are SO BLESSED with so many wonderful people in our life! More than 15 people came out each night to pack us up and then unload at the new house. We were fed for at least a week by our church family. And our best friends took the girls out to get a Christmas tree for us!!! It was wonderful.
Playing Polar Express in the midst of our boxes
Goodbye old house! You were so good to us.
Hello new house! We are looking forward to many new memories...
Hannah and Josie picking out the tree
Decorating the tree with Grammie Squires and Daddy
Making homemade play-doh gifts for friends at church. The girls also donated toys to the church toy drive benefiting local families in need. The families were able to wrap the toys and give them as their own.
So with 3 days and counting we had a tree up and decorated. Now to just find stockings, fill, wrap presents, go to Christmas Eve services and impersonate Santa for fun (Steve had a busy week!)
Kids' Christmas Eve service
Hannah with Santa
Christmas Eve gift from Santa - new jams
Christmas morning!
Josie in her new rocking chair!
Polly Pocket campers
Lincoln Logs - always good
Our traditional birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas
Our Christmas dinner was Portillo’s of Chicago thanks to Grammie Squires!!! Italian beef and hot dogs. Oh yeah.
Portillo's
Another tradition we have begun is watching The Nutcracker, or a version of it, for the holiday season.
Hannah doing a Passe
Josie with her wooden nutcracker
Lastly, here are just some great pics of the girls with Grammie and Auntie Kelley. We are so happy they were able to come out!
Hannah and Grammie
Chillin' with Kelley
Sledding in the backyard!
I think I need to wrap it up there. We certainly had a wonderful new year as well celebrating with good friends and good beer:) This is the first week we have begun to feel settled in our new home.
We pray that all of you had a safe and blessed holiday season. We are looking forward to all that 2011 will bring!
Here are some pics. I posted a video of her trip on the 
