Halloween Festivities

Ashlyn was a "pumpkin witch" (as she called it- I think because the costume was orange).

Sam decided to be a kitty cat- but she looked more like a "cat burgler"! Her little black hat was so tight on her head that most of the time she cried when we put in on :( So this was a lucky picture with her 'almost' smiling.

Mommy & Grandma took Ashy & Sam to "Boo at the Zoo" the weekend before Halloween. I sware there must have been a million people there so we didn't do much trick-or-treating (the lines to get candy were ridiculous!!) But Ashlyn could have cared less about the treats. She just wanted to see the animals. She also got to ride the train and the "music-go-round" as she calls it.

I can't keep track of how many times we dressed the girls up in their costumes this year! (ward party, the zoo, grandma's house and the actual holiday, of course) . These are the 4 surviving Talley grandchildren (the little ones anyway). Em, Alec & Isaiah weren't in costume. The other 5 grandchildren are all victims of their parents' selfish needs to live in other states :)

Lots of Smiles

Samantha turns 2 months today! She has been growing quickly. She can really pound down the milk. We like her chubby cheeks and chin. She has started smiling quite a bit, but mostly in the morning when Stef is there to see it.

Ashlyn has been a great older sister - she loves giving kisses and helping with Samantha. But she has also been a very sympathetic crier. We can't keep her from getting sad every time Sam cries.

Ready for the winter.

This is a picture from the merri-go-round at the State Fair

Some Family Pictures

We were at Dianne & Kiley's baby blessing - I guess I could say Parker's baby blessing and we took a few family pictures in the Newbold's back yard and some other pictures with the family:

Grandpa, Darcy, Alec, and Sam

Stefanie, Sam, Dianne, and Parker:

Ashlyn at the Zoo with Jill & Joan

Two of the moms from the cross country team, Jill Hedquist and Joan Hansen, were nice enough to take Ashy to the Zoo with them and their kids. It appears that Ashlyn made some friends and had a great time.

Samantha - 1 month

Sam is over a month old already. It has been a busy month with the start of another school year. Our 2 beautiful girls are keeping us busy and happy (and tired).
Ashlyn has potty-trained through the whole process and we are so proud of her. She has been a great older sister and is anxious to help us and to play with Sam.
Sam is eating a lot and putting on some weight. She has developed her first talent - crying. Every now and then her hair looks a little bit red - mostly either in the sun or when she is really angry.
Thanks to all the support we have received from family and friends. We love you all :)
Here are a few more pictures from the hospital and the first few weeks at home:

Samantha Pictures

After the epidural

I finally arrived

First picture with Mom and Samantha together

I picked the little green bow - it fell out not too much later

So far, Samantha loves to sleep by Mom

Of course the only picture where she is crying, I am holding her.

Our first family photo

Ashy holding her new baby sister

Samantha and Grandma Hansen

Samantha and Amanda

Samantha and Matt and Amanda

Samantha and Grandpa Hansen

Samantha and Grandma Talley

Samantha and Grandpa Talley

Samantha and Kyle and Hayden

Stef had to go through the hard stuff, she still looks way better than I do.