First loaf of bread

I have always enjoyed cooking, but when it comes to baked goods the cookies never turn out like my mom's and I know bread would not turn out like my dad's or Autumn's. So for Christmas, I decided to ask for a bread maker. Tonight Bryan made the first loaf and I think we are hooked.

Now we are anxious to try different kinds of bread!!

Christmas Tree

Each year we always cut down a real tree to put up in our livingroom. Bryan went with his parents and took Kaleigh and Cassidy several weeks ago to pick out our tree. The girls enjoy finding just the right tree.

 

Leaves

Kaleigh enjoying the leaves!!

First Halloween Trick or Treating

This is the first year that we have taken the girls trick or treating. Last year we were at the beach over Halloween and I guess I've always thought its been too cold, or the girls were too young or Bryan was working and I didn't want to take them out myself. We had decided to have the girls dress up, hide candy around our house and then watch a Halloween movie while eating popcorn. Kaleigh had stayed at Bryan's parents to hand out candy, so we surprised her by bringing down her costume and then taking them around the ridge. Cassidy was so excited to ring the doorbell and Bryan's parents. She was giggling and jumping up and down!! I wish we had gotten a picture. I think each house we went to give a treat bag with lots of goodies or the girls were given handfuls of candy. Most people in Bergton probably only get 10-20 kids so they seem to give a lot. Anyway, the girls each came home with a bag full of candy. They will be ready to go again next year!!!

 

Happy Birthday Abby!!

Abby turned two earlier this month and we enjoyed celebrating with friends and family.

 

 

Pumpkins

I have a lot of updating to do, but here's one from last weekend after carving some pumpkins.



Daddy's Thing

All the girls LOVE doing anything Daddy is doing.

Bryan has and will always be a hunter. He looks forward to the day when each of them are old enough to take them out hunting. Kaleigh has already spend several evenings last year sitting in the treehouse with Bryan while hunting. Last weekend Bryan took Kaleigh out to teach her how to shoot a bb gun. She will be quite the hunter one day.

 



note to the teacher from Kaleigh

Kaleigh has a notebook that is sent home daily with a comment or note about the day. Today she got the notebook out of her book bag and wanted to practice her letters in it. I told her, if she wanted to practice her letters in it, let's write a note to her teacher. So Kaleigh wrote, "Hi Mrs. Trumbo" and signed her name. Kaleigh just needed my help with writing the e in Kaleigh and s in Mrs. Trumbo.

 

 

Kaleigh's First Day of Pre-K

 

Kaleigh is attending Pre-K at Fulks Run Elementary School and yesterday was her first day.  Bryan will be taking her to school each day and she will get off the bus at Bryan's parents house. She had a wonderful day and I loved hearing all about it. 

Busy Morning in the Harper Kitchen

We have been very busy baking this morning. After breakfast and still in their pajamas, we made a birthday cake for Bryan's mom. Bryan's parents will be coming up for supper tonight and will enjoy the cake then.

All the girls are ready to help mix, pour and beat!!

 Kaleigh using the mixer (Cassidy was not happy)

 Abby couldn't get enough

 While the cake was baking the girls got dressed and then we were back at it in the kitchen making soft pretzels!! They are a nice treat to make every once in a while.

 The girls enjoyed the finish product while having a tea party!!



Kaleigh has always loved to help out with just about anything. Cooking, cleaning, you name it and she's usually more than willing to help. Today, I did a load of laundry and she helped me put the towels that were in the dryer away so we could add this load into the dryer. She  said that she wanted to do them and when I told her I didn't think she could reach them, she said she could with a stool and she enjoyed every minute. I kept asking her if she needed help and she kept telling me "No!" She only needed help with one lonely sock that was in the back!!

 Abby wanted to help so Kaleigh would give the clothes to her to put in the dryer. What team work!!

I sure do love my helpers!!



Camping

Growing up, our family went camping at Westmoreland State Park every summer. The last time I went was when I was pregnant with Kaleigh so it has been a few years. We spent several days this week there with my family.

The girls enjoying some down time in the cabin!!

 Sharks teeth is a must. You can hike down a path at the park and there are several others places we go to search for them. I have a large jar of all the sharks teeth that I've collected over the years. Here Cassidy is looking inside the circle for one.

 Showing us her find!!

 The girls biked from morning until dark. They have a great paved bike path for the children. We biked it every day.

 Cassidy at the playground

 Kaleigh enjoyed playing in the water/sand!!

 Cousins

Butterfly Exhibit

A couple of weeks ago Back Home on the Farm had their Butterfly Exhibit. Last year I took Kaleigh and Cassidy and although they didn't really take to the butterflies they enjoyed all the other things to do there. We went with my friend Stephanie, and her two daughters.

 The horse swings are always a must!!

 Cassidy and Anna

We all had a wonderful time!!

Over Memorial Day weekend, we were back at Lost River with my parents enjoying the day. Here is a family picture that was taken there.

Kaleigh's Graduation

 Today I took the day off so that I could be at Kaleigh's Graduation from Bergton Little School. Bryan and I along with his mom and my parents and our girls were there for the ceremony.

 The kids sang two songs. This is Kaleigh singing I'm a  Star!!

 Getting her diploma!!

Kaleigh and Rachel.

We are SO proud of you!!