Winter Photo Shoot....

So, every year the girls' get their holiday pictures taken and every two years we do a "family picture". Well, this was "the year"... so off we went... we were pretty pleased overall... the last picture on this post is our favorite.... enjoy!!!

Las Vegas Baby!!

wow... what a whirlwind trip!! We left wednesday morning, headed to Las Vegas, and arrived around 10:30am (their time). The flight was beautiful... made it very easy to take pictures out the plane window of the snow on the rockies, the vastness of the grand canyon... and then see the "nothingness" of the desert we were flying into...

We stayed at the Luxor, which looks like a HUGE pyramid on the Las Vegas Strip. The weather was beyond perfect the whole time - low 80's and BRIGHT sunshine!! We even got tan while we were there.


Some pics along the "strip"....These pics (below) are of New York New York... and the Venetian... two of my favorite casinos.... the designers deserve HUGE applause for all the detail that went into making these such a HUGE success!!! We enjoyed seeing several shows, Circqe Du Solei Mystere (was beyond incredible!), and a David Space Comedy Show (he rocks in person just like in all his movies!!).

We had several nice dinners, but the BEST by far was at the Eiffel Tower Restraunt. We were seated at a table overlooking the Bellagio (I think we were around15 floors up in the air) and every 20 minutes there was a beautiful water show. We also did a full day tour of the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Lake Meade, and a quick stop in Dolan Springs. That trip was breathtaking... just seeing the shear size of the canyon... wow... it was over 4000 feet to the bottom, and they have NO rails or obstructions, so it's a clear view... We then had lunch at a cowboy ranch, then went on a hike to a secluded section of the canyon. Only half of our group went (there were 10 of us in the whole group...) and got some magnificent pictures... no words can describe the beauty of the Grand Canyon!!!

Beyond all of that fun, we put MANY miles on our legs walking ALL over the city, including checking out "Old Las Vegas" also known as Fremont Street. This was the "original Vegas" before the glitz and glam that is here now. That area is MUCH more laid back and just gives you the feeling of "stepping back in time". That is with the exception of the arched "ceiling" they put over fremont street, that shows a light show every evening on the hour... complete with millions of LED ligthts and music... It's another you must see to believe it!!
We even fit in an early morning run on the strip, some gym, time, and of course lounging by the pool with drinks in hand....

These are a few "last shots" of Vegas on our "last evening there"....

and yes, there are slot machines even in the airport...

we got home yesterday (sunday) and are now attempting to "get back to reality"... but it was fantastic trip, and there are MANY pictures to check out... I took over 700, so I put together several (ok, 11 of them!) collages so you can see then all clumped together as to what the pictures are!!

Oh, and MANY thanks to my parents' who watched the kiddos for us while we were away... and aunt erin for toughing it out at the "sleepover at her apartment"...

Happy Halloween!!

Whew... hard to believe Halloween is already past!! Well, this year was nice and warm, just like many of the past, but this year was also quite wet... The day was filled with showers, then breaks, then more showers. When we headed out for the trick or treating, it was mild and NOT raining, but about a half a mile away, it started raining nicely... then harder, and then finally we got home. The girls had a great time and didn't care that they were wet... they got PLENTY of candy... and can't wait for next halloween already!! Hope you had a great halloween also!!! Oh yeah, Elyse was still Turtle Tuck (from Wonderpets) but Angela decided to go for the "princess look" instead of the pediatrician last minute... they were too cute....

And yes, that is Ollie the bunny in a "witch costume"... the cats hid well enough but Ollie didn't realize what he was in for... but he was good sport... and an EXTRA cute witch too!!

Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place

Each year after the "regular season" ends at Sesame Place, they decorate the park for halloween and it's called the "spooktacular". We usually get to go a few times, but this fall was SUPER busy and so we finally got there on the LAST day Sesame was open. And it was even more SPECIAL because grandmom Reedell was with us!! Everyone enjoyed the day despite the rainy weather... at least the temps were warm, so even while being a little wet, everyone had smiles on their faces!!! Hope you enjoyed your halloween day too!!

grandmom and the gals at 123 Sesame Streetand at big bird's mailbox

It's pumpkin carving time...

the girls were VERY excited when we went pumpkin picking about a month ago... and it was "finally" time to carve in on friday night (halloween eve). So I cut the top off, and then the girls dug in. They kept saying "there's more pumpkin guts in there, keep working"... it was tooo cute. So, they cleaned it out and got to see our frankenstein jack o lantern the next morning... it was LOTS of fun.. maybe next year Angela will be able to work on her "own" pumpkin... we shall see!!!

One year ago today...

Hard to believe that we've been in our "new house" for a whole year already!! I still remember the excitement I felt when we walked in and said "welcome home". So, it's a year later and we still love our house and LOVE walking in the door!! Here's to MANY happy years in our loved house!!

Trick or Treating with the Mayor...

While Angela was at school, Elyse and I headed over to the Bensalem Township Building for trick or treating. Every year the Bensalem MOMS Club goes over and meets with the Mayor for some pictures. They also had tv cameras taping the dressed up kiddos... So, it was a fun day for elyse and I... hope yours was just as good....

Trick or Treat at Scottsville Pre-school...

Is there a doctor in the house?? Well, we've got one in the Reedell household... or at least she is "playing one" for halloween. This year Angela is a pediatrician, and a VERY cute one at that!! She was VERY excited to go to school, where they were having a "costume parade" before they started their "halloween festivities"... But she had a GREAT time... hope you enjoy the pictures....

the weather is perfect for an outdoor photo shoot!!!

After having a TERRIBLE weather weekend (in the 40's and rainy...), today seems like the best fall weather possible. We have bright sunshine and perfect temps for a fun day outside. And of course this involved bringing the camera out and our "hams" smiling away, coming up with "ideas" of where they wanted the next picture taken!! I LOVE our new backyard, it has soooo many possibilities for GREAT pictures... LOVE it... and luckily for us the girls LOVE having their pictures taken too!!!! Here is a collage of my favs... plus my fav of the girls together... sooo cute!!

the Reedell Girls - Elyse 2.5 years old and Angela 4.5 years old

a little elbow grease and it's "new" again...

A few years ago one of Scott's friends had given us a few pieces of bedroom furniture after his father had passed away. We were HUGE fans of dark wood (dark walnut to be exact...) furniture, so this was RIGHT up our alley!! Anyway, the cedar chest was in GREAT shape, except the top fabric cushion area was a little worn. So, fast forward through a bunch of years of kids and cats crawling all over the place and now it's worse. So, over the weekend mom Reedell took me down to the "fabric pile" in the basement and we picked out a few pieces that would "probably work". I brought them home and found that the linen one would be perfect. I put it all together and it looks fantastic!! And to make the story even better, Scott's grandfather had brought that linen fabric over from Poland years ago and it had never been used... so I'm happy to have a piece of the Reedell history as a part of our bedroom furniture. So, after putting the chest back together, sanding down the inside (to restore the GREAT cedar scent), touching up any scratches, and then polishing it, it looks as good as new!!

before picture.... after pictures....

tot-r-cise

So, as of late, Elyse has definately been reeping the benefits of being an "only child" while Angela is in school. Today we went to tot-r-cise. This is a program held at the parenting center at St. Mary's hospital (here in langhorne, Pa)... and everyone had a blast. It's an hour long class full of music, dancing, fun, and friends... Elyse made some new friends, and played with some of her moms club friends too... it was tooo cute. Can't wait to go back again soon!!! And as expected... her are some pics!!!

gotta love outdoor storage...

so, when we bought this house I hadn't thought about the fact that it didn't have a storage shed outback... but after being here for almost a year, we found out it would be VERY helpful to have one!!! So, I chatted with my parents' and asked them if they wanted to buy us an 'early christmas present"... so we'll have a bow on it on christmas morning from my parents'. But Scott and I put it together over the weekend, while the girls were at mom mom and pop pop's house (thanks for the child free weekend.... it was NICE)... and it's all filled up. I also spent most of sunday organizign the garage, cleaning up, mowing, weed wacking, and cleaning up our leaves... but it looked fabulous... at least until more leaves fell, but that' sok. We love living in the woods, and it comes with the territory!!! But here are some pics of "our fun"... Happy Fall!!!

I'm seeing polka dots...

no, you are NOT seeing things, the girls playroom is now covered by polka dots, pink, blue, yellow and green!!! It's been white since we moved in, then princess stickers were put up (the removable ones, that I never really liked... but they broke up all the white, so it was "ok" at the time), and finally I found some time to do some painting... and think it turned out pretty well. And of course I was just finishing up and Angela came down while I was taking some pics and needed to "show off" some of her dress up headware... so enjoy....

girls in cords....

so, the girls are loving their new fall clothes... and since the weather has changed MUCH more fall like they, showed off some of their new wears...

7 years in a blink of an eye....

It's just amazing to me that today marks our 7th year anniversary!!! We got married on a day very similar to today - overcast, but the mood was anything but!! Everyone had a great time and I LOVE looking back over the pictures each year and remembering how much fun we had And how great it was to have our family and friends by our sides. Thank you for all of your love and support, as that is paramount to make ANY marriage work!!! And of course thank you to the BEST husband in the world... we make a GREAT team!!!

Here's to the next 7, may they be just as great... and always exciting!!!

LETS GO PHILLIES LETS GO!!!

With these cute cheerleaders for the phillies, they've just GOTTA win!!! And yes, the cat (jake) was "very excited" too... as you can tell!!!

Halloween Decorations Reedell Style!!

So, this is our first year to decorate our "new house" for halloween. Last year's decorations involved a ghost on a stick and a cat on a stick (no, not jake or oscar) in the front yard and a door hanger with a pumpkin on it. We had moved in on October 30th and were working VERY hard to get the house "livable" for the munchkins when they came home on halloween!!

So, this year we got things started NICE and EARLY. In fact the house was mostly decorated in September for halloween, but today we put the finishing touches on it. The girls and I stuffed a HUGE spider to sit on our HUGE boulder at the end of our driveway and then we put up several bags of spider webs... the cats are now afraid to go outside becuase of all of this (oh well....). But it looks like fun, and I'll have to take pictures since we have orange and black lights on the porch... so once I take a "full effect picture" I'll add that too!!

But until then, here is what it looks like today!!!

It's pumpkin painting time...

I think as soon as they picked their pumpkins out at the farm, they asked "can we paint these tonight?". So, after dinner (last night - October 4th) we got everyone ready and a painting they went!! They had a great time and the pumpkins turned out fantasticly!!!

Here are some pics!!

Fall in PA!!!

I am definately in love with the crisp beautiful days of fall here in PA!!! I can't think of a better place to live... we LOVE it here!!! And today was the perfect day to head to the orchard and pick all kinds of apples (gold delicious, red delicious, and winesap) and pumpkins. The girls LOVED doing this last year and we had some "free time" today... so off we went!!! We went to Styer's Orchard (about 10 minutes from our house) and the girls LOVED running through the orchard and pumpkin fields. The hayride took us from the "main barn" out to the fields and back again. We came home with several pumpkins and oodles of apples... now Angela wants me to bake an apple pie... we'll see if that happens... But here are some pics of our day of fun in Bucks County!!!

and these are my favs...

Yeah for Hollywood!!!

So, it was saturday morning (10.3.09), and a dreary saturday at that. Scott says "do we want to go see Toy Story today"... I say "sure, why not, we can leave if the girls' aren't enjoying it". We asked Angela and Elyse if they would like to go to see a movie at the theater.. and of course they said a VERY excited YES!!! So, off we went. The movie started at 10am, we got there around 9:50 or so and went in, took a few pics, then got "snacks", then headed in. We sat on the "main level" of the seating area, and then it was time. Now this movie was NOT only their first time there, but also a double feature and in 3D!! The girls put on their glasses and they were ready for the movie. Both were a bit frightened when it started, but got the hang of it VERY quickly. We had figured we'd be lucky to make it through Toy Story 1, but to our surprise, we were still there watching the closing credits of Toy Story 2 - over 3.5 hours of movies for a 2 and 4 year old... amazing!! But they did great and can't wait to go the next time... so we shall see when that will be!!!!

Here is a pic before we headed in (the glasses are their 3D glasses... )... and we took a movie to try to get onto "good morning america" on their "three word" segment... so keep an eye out for that!!!