Happy Halloween!

This year we've spent pretty much all of our October weekends at my parents' place in Salem.  It's always a lot of fun because the town gets really into it and Halloween ends up being a month long celebration.  There's always something fun to do!

Annie Annie and Amber came to visit the weekend before Halloween and we had so much fun with them!  Gwen was especially excited to see them and I'm so glad that she gets to see her Vegas Aunt as often as she does.

Gwen has had a pretty long-lasting obsession with the movie Monsters, Inc.  So we decided that she and Nathan would dress as Sulley and Mike from the movie.  I was half expecting her to lose interest in the movie by this point and no longer be into wearing the costume, but any time anyone asked her who she was going to be for Halloween, she was excited to tell them and she ended up wearing the costume VERY proudly!  She got to wear her Sulley costume on 2 different days, and each time she stepped into it she shrieked with excitement!  I'm pretty sure if I don't hide it on her, she'll ask to wear it out on any given day.

Halloween fell on a Thursday and it was a little rainy this year, but that didn't dampen the party!  Both sets of Grandparents and Justin's brother's family were all with us.  We walked around town for a bit in the rain and by the time trick-or-treating started, it had cleared up.  We all had a blast, and Gwen and Nathan's costumes were a total hit!

 

Thanksgiving

Mom and dad hosted at their condo in Salem this year.  We're so lucky to have two amazing families who not only get along with each other - they treat each other like real family.  Justin's and my parents try to get together whenever they can, and they've even gone away for a few weekends together - without us!  I know that these types of in-law relationships are so rare, and sometimes I think I take it for granted, but  we're so lucky to have one big, happy family!  The Kalenowicz's and Silverio's spend many holidays together and this one was no exception.  My picture taking was lame-o, but here are a few shots of a great day.

2011

2012

Halloween

At my NY Baby Shower, one of my favorite gifts was this giraffe costume from Annie Annie.  At the time it seemed MASSIVE, like it was never going to fit the baby in a million years.  But that was the smallest size they had.  Well, fast-forward 21 months and, what do you know, I guess we made it a million years, because here she is wearing the costume on her 2nd Halloween!

We stayed in Salem for almost a week to take advantage of all the festivities, not to mention Hurricane Sandy.  We were lucky to have not been majorly affected by the "super-storm", but unfortunately, many on the east coast were.  By the actual day of Halloween, the rain and winds had subsided and we were able to take our little giraffe out to fill her pumpkin.  Her favorite thing about trick-or-treating? Coming back home to dump out her treats and *smell* each piece as she lays them all out around her on the ground.  I haven't mentioned this yet, but the girl smells everything she can get her hands on.  People joke and compare her to Robert Barone when he touches food to his chin before he eats each bite.  She's that way about smelling.  But she's so passionate about it - she breathes in so deeply, lifting her shoulders and expanding her chest, and then holding it like she's analyzing every scent.

Anyway, here are some pics :)

Gram & Pa - Spaghetti & Meatball Dinner, and Waiter!

getting ready for the trick or treaters!

2010 Baby Shower gift from Annie Annie

my little giraffe

I realize now that I looked ridiculous.  But can we talk about Gwen smelling those M&Ms??? 

a family of serious faces, I swear we had such a fun time! lol

at the end of the night, sorting her candy (after smelling each one)

Easter

Awesome Easter this year!  Here are a few pics of our morning at home and later on in the afternoon when we all went to Gwen's Nana & Papa's house!  G had an outfit change because both sets of Grandparents gave her such pretty Easter dresses.

Christmas Crafts

Mom and Dad came over today because I've been wanting to make a Christmas stocking for Gwen.  We went shopping for some fabric last month, but of course I needed some assistance from mom.  She made stockings for us when we were little, and when Justin and I got married, she made each of us (including Jackson) one for our new house.  I thought it would be nice to make a similar one for Gwen's first Christmas.  Here is the finished product!

notice Jackson's stocking on the right, we need another stocking holder now!

While we were at it, I wanted to try some DIY baby legs that I found on this lovely blog through pinterest the other day.  I bought a pair of knee high socks at Target (I thought the faux fur cuffs would be cute for the holidays):

Cut off the toe and heel (keeping the portion in between and folding it inside itself):

 And sewed them into cuffs onto the ends:

 Voila! Cute as a button

PS - we just got our Christmas cards in the mail today and I cannot wait to send them out!!! :)