{Victorian Steam Punk}

My talented and creative friend hosted a "Victorian Steam Punk Halloween Party." I wish I had taken pictures of all the guests who followed the theme (that might have been a little odd of me), but nonetheless, it was fun to see everyone in costume.

Let me just say, I was very inspired to follow suit for any future invitations. I vow to put more effort into our future costumes.

I will also educate myself on the theme and era, so I know what I am supposed to look like!

Some of the worlds best women.

Below: Some of the worlds best decorations (which I also skipped taking pictures of). Such as the black lights , Apothecary specimen filled jars, and yards, and yards of cheese cloth!

The best vampire and vampiress there.

{Kids Halloween}

Here are the kids dressed up for the 4th time this season. I am already Halloween-ed out and it is only the eve!
I think Ry is too because he never wants to get into costume or wear his hat anymore. However, he did wear it everywhere and sleep with it for the last 6 weeks. Maisey begged me to make her costume. She saw a pastel and fushia pink costume a couple months back in a magazine and asked me to do my best a replicating it. This is what I came up with. The fabrics ended up being much more than if I had bought the costume, so I planned on sewing it real nice so she could have it for awhile. However, I got to sewing and I wasn't really feeling it. At that point I skipped the fancy stuff and made the bare stitches. Sewing can be exciting for me, but only if it something I want to make. In the end it was worth the time, and she sure makes it sparkle!

{Another Holiday Season...}

is about to pass.

Here is our FHE activity for the week.

The one on the far right is not suppose to be erotic; rather it is Chad and I this season. We have an adult only Halloween party and we are going as a Vampire and Vampiress. I know- creative!

Once again Maisey carved her own pumpkin. I think this is the 3rd year in a row she's gone solo, but needless to say she impresses me! She carved the cat and moon.

I carved the tree and moon shadow on the back.

Chad carved McQueen and the Vampires.

{Let...}

...the parties begin! As Chad would say, "Halloween is Christmas to me." With that being said, I roll with it. This was the first of 6 (which is why I didn't make it a costume party)!

However, I did learn my lesson and I will never make that decision again. The kids wanted to dress up. One girl decided too anyway and another missed the memo. Oh, they were all cute in their Halloween colors- no matter how formal.
Last night we threw a little kid Halloween party with 12, 6-7 year old's. The amount of excitement little kids have, well, let me just say it makes their company more enjoyable than some adults! We played some festive mummy and pumpkin games.

*I LOVED how these turned out and I love my cake decorator Lisa for helping me! She did most of it while I prepped non-candy food items that barely got considered.*

Let the kids get all filled up with food- and lots of sugar in lieu of the season.
And then we let them dance it off. I should have made the party at least 30 minutes longer so these little ones could expend some energy. "Just Dance" is honestly the most played game when The Guenther's are around, and the kids would have loved to have some more Wii time. It was only a filler, and unfortunately during the party time, we only played two songs before most kids had to leave. We are certainly planning on having a dance party the next go round. Here Maisey and I pose at 10 PM. It was a must since my usually helpful hubby spent the ENTIRE party chatting with a dad. It was me, and 13 kids solo, and needless to say, the only thing that was sacrificed were photo opps. The pictures I managed to take, we're after the "damage" was done!

{Holiday Crafts}

The first fall craft co-op. I am looking for two more girls ages 6-7!
The final pumpkin light. Thanks Jamie for finding this over a year ago! I don't forget projects easily. This one was with determination because I had to go to 5 stores just to find orange tissue paper. Give me a break- after all it is fall!

My latest little find. The display tree at my favorite pumpkin patch. All it needed was a can of air for the farm dust and a fresh coat of black paint. It's definitely a Guenther thing.

{Patch #1 2010}

I think everybody in the area will agree with me that Lake View Farms is the BEST pumpkin patch ever!They have farm animals: pigs, ponies, rabbits, and goats.
A train ride which transports you to or from the pumpkin patch.Ponies to ride once you get over there. 3 Hay Mazes to get stuck in, depending on your age. A boat to transport you to or from the patch.And other various things to do like get your face painted, take a caterpillar ride (both on weekends) and stand in front of wood cut outs. Although this place is my favorite, I am pleading for more sunny days so we can make the rounds to the numerous patches in the area!

{Mad Science}

Maisey is REALLY into science these days. Last week she attended a "Mad Science Chemistry Camp" at a nearby Girl Scout Lodge. She was so excited because she has her first overnight camp out there with her troop this December. We will see if she lasts all night since she's never been away with friends and has only been away two other nights (non consecutively) in her 7.5 years of life!

Working on her experiments.Here is picture of the bunks which fill the entire top of the giant lodge.

She is growing fast and I can't believe we are entering these new phases of childhood already!

Last week after Hip Hop Maisey was dancing in the back of the car as I drove and I couldn't help but tear up. It wasn't the Justin Bieber song that made me cry (although it was pretty bad), it was the reality that she is no longer a little girl. The "fight" is on with clothing, hair, music, all media, and to teach her how to live a virtuous life.

{No School}

This past week Maisey had 3 days off of school. We made a regular trip to "Chuck E Cheese" since my family absolutely LOVES going there. Really, I don't know who like it best because Chad is always printing off coupons from his e-mail each week "in case" we happen to be near there. He cracks me up, as if he didn't have enough fun as a child. Some of us never grow up! All three of them say "There's Chuck E" every time we drive down HWY 217.This Ryley's favorite game.

{Frame}

I found this picture template on a blog that I'm loving these days so I decided to print it for my bathroom.

{Hair Accessories}

Maisey informed she's not into big bows anymore, so this was probably her last.

{Wreath}

Lima Beans... And a whole lot of glue!

{Room Re-Do}

Maisey got a new room (literally, new location, color and carpet).

Okay, I hate the dolls in the picture below but I went through the same stage so I felt I was obligated to work them into the space. I am still looking for curtains and I am thinking something like these:
The window is enormous (90x63) so it hasn't been easy or cheap. I won't settle on anything though. They can wait, cuteness cannot be sacrificed.

{Why}

For all the people who wonder why I iron everyday. Ry has at least 15 button ups.

{fabric hair clips}

Aren't these cool? The one on the right is mine but it didn't have a center yet when I took this picture. Perfect as clips or on headbands. More to come. Many, many more.