Pumpkin Carving

We finally got the pumpkin carving in just before Halloween. Zack found two great pumpkins for us. The kids drew out their designs and we made two pumpkins with a little bit of all their ideas. Taylor wouldn't have anything to do with pulling out the guts. He thought that part was gross. The other boys and Katelyn didn't mind it too much. Zack was elected to do all the carving. Katelyn wanted to roast the pumpkin seeds after. We found a great recipe that turned out sweet and cinnamon instead of the traditional roasted pumpkin seeds. Everyone helped out to make our fun pumpkins except Brooklyn but she smiled lots for us while we worked.

Matthew's Photo Shoot by Aunt Stephanie

Stephanie took these adorable pictures of Matthew and Jaerick at the park. He looks so grown up! Jaerick and Matthew love playing together. They are good buddies and loving cousins! Stephanie and Jaerick got to come stay with the kids while Daddy and Mommy were at the hospital with baby Brooklyn. Matthew loves playing with Jaerick!

Brooklyn's First Photo Session by Aunt Stephanie

Welcome Home Baby Brooklyn

All the kids were so excited to have their baby sister home and made her a banner which reads  "Welcome Home Baby Sister!" Everyone of them colored and decorated it for her.

Brooklyn was born the day Grandpa Belt got home from the hospital from open heart surgery. He was thrilled to finally meet her. We brought her over to meet her great-grandparents right after they released us from the hospital. She is getting spoiled from all her extended family with well wishes, visits, gifts and kisses! She is a very loved baby girl!

Brooklyn enjoys her sponges baths! She loves to be cuddled, kissed and talked to. She smiles all the time and snuggles right into you when you hold her. Our family is quite complete with this little angel! We feel so blessed to have her here.

Introducing Brooklyn Krystal Alvey

Our little miss Brooklyn was born October 10, 2011 @ 7:12 am.

She is 8 lbs 15 oz and 20.5 inches long!

She is a very happy little baby with all of us quite smitten by her!

We are so grateful that she arrived happy and healthy! My water broke just before midnight which I was so thankful for since that has always been how I knew to head over to the hospital. Stephanie came over to take care of the kids and we headed to the hospital around 1am. By 3 am I was ready for my epidural since my contractions had started getting a bit more intense. I didn't want to wait too long and experience the whole thing drug free. Zack went to sleep as soon as the epidural kicked in but almost missed the delivery since I couldn't get him to wake up very easily. He did wake up just a few minutes before she arrived at 7:12am.

She is absolutely adorable and all her siblings are so thrilled to hold, cuddle, and kiss her. Matthew was a bit confused at who this baby was or why I was holding her but after a few minutes, he was in love with her and wanted to hold her. She seems to have that effect on everyone. She has her daddy wrapped around her little finger already!

We are so thrilled to have her home with us and spending all the time we can getting to know her and love on her! She is such a blessing to our family! You can instantly feel Heavenly Father's love when you hold a new baby. The spirit they bring to your family is so strong and peaceful. She really does complete our family.

Raptor Romp 2011

The kids were able to participate in our schools annual fundraiser the Raptor Romp. Each grade level does a dance and this year they added the preschool. Joshua was pretty excited to be joining the older kids. The preschool kids danced to "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes!" As Joshua said it's a different one, which it was. He did a great job and performed very well without any discouragement. He is not shy at all!
 

The kindergarten performed a dinosaur song, "Don't go Dancing with a Dinosaur!" William was very excited to be able to dance to this song. He has been singing it at home for weeks before the performance. He really got into the dance and was a hoot to watch!

Taylor's group performed to the Black Eyed Peas "I Gotta Feeling." It was a basic box step repeated throughout. Taylor was so exact, he made sure he was always doing it perfect. He is a definite perfectionist! He did a great job and worked very hard too.

Since this is Katelyn's last year in Elementary school she went out to just have a good time. They danced to Taio Cruz's, "Dynamite." You could tell she was having a blast dancing and goofing around. It was fun to see her enjoying herself so much! All the kids did a terrific job and I'm sure the fundraiser made plenty of money since it was packed with people and the pizzas were being sold until well after the dances were completed. I'm so proud of my kids and all their hard work.