The Last Pumpkin Patch!

November 4th, 2012

IMG_9171

IMG_9102 IMG_9127

IMG_9112 IMG_9115

IMG_9089

IMG_9139 IMG_9141

IMG_9157 IMG_9161

IMG_9175 IMG_9181

IMG_9187 IMG_9133

IMG_9191

IMG_9189 IMG_9192

IMG_9211

IMG_9210 IMG_9209 

IMG_9220

IMG_9240

IMG_9243

IMG_9255

IMG_9266

IMG_9219 IMG_9293

IMG_9281

Anna Kate set up shop to sell her pumpkins… she sets up shop everywhere we go!  She loves to play store, restaurant, everything.  She’s great!  Below, Mike asked her to pick out his pumpkin for him.  Love it!

IMG_9278

IMG_9279

IMG_9274

Love our happy girls!

Fossil Rim!

November 3rd, 2012

IMG_8459

A couple weeks ago Anna Kate, Rose and I went to Fossil Rim with my friend Donnette, and her son, Luke!  We went together a couple of years ago as well, and laughed all day about the memories we made back then… and how I’ve made progress because I didn’t scream at most of the animals this time!

IMG_8454

Donnette has a friend who is a zoologist at Fossil Rim, so we got to ride in the back of his truck, Jurassic Park-style to see the rhinos up close and personal.  They were just as nervous as we were because he said they don’t ever get that close to humans.

IMG_8457

I love this sweet picture of Luke!

IMG_8456

Wow!

IMG_8484IMG_8466

Rose had fun in the driver’s seat (of course) as we went on the first part of the tour!

IMG_8465

IMG_8542

IMG_8461

This is how close they get… most of the animals will eat out of your hands if you let them… I always end up throwing it at them at the last minute because I panic!

IMG_8473

IMG_85524IMG_8535

IMG_8475

IMG_8482 IMG_8486

Giraffe time!  When I saw this giraffe stick out his tongue at us like a banana, I was like, “Oh no!”  I stayed back and took pics from the other side of the car!

IMG_8488

After Anna Kate saw Luke feed the giraffe, she totally bailed!  Here she is diving back into the car… I love their heads right next to each other in this picture though… so natural and pretty to see my girl this close to a giraffe!

IMG_8489 IMG_8491

So as Anna Kate chickened out, just like her Momma, Rose was all about feeding the giraffe!  She was so excited to see the head coming down into the car through the sunroof!

IMG_8493 IMG_8501

Here she is asking to feed the giraffe, and then holding out the food.  She was a little skeptical but still going for it!

IMG_8504 IMG_8505

Donnette held her little fingers flat (thank God) and she did it!  He licked the food right off of my baby’s hand.  I was so proud of her!  She was willing to do something none of the other Pond girls were willing to do today!

IMG_8507

Yeah.  This is what you call the stink eye.  Although he looks a little scary, they are very very gentle and back away if you freak out (like I did last time).  The zebras, on the other hand, are very aggressive and come after the food in your car no matter what.

IMG_8517

Half-way through the tour, we stopped at the park restaurant for lunch.  I love this picture of Luke kissing on Rose…

IMG_8525 IMG_8531

And then trying to give Anna Kate a kiss, but she would only let him kiss her on the back of the head… sweet girl!

IMG_8545

This is a little too close for comfort for me, but Donnette really helps me come out of my shell.  I don’t know if I’d do this tour without her… we make a great team!

IMG_8520

We had an awesome day at Fossil Rim… one we will most surely talk and laugh about in a couple of years when we’re ready to brave the trail together again!

Girls Grow–Butterflies Fly Away!

November 2nd, 2012

IMG_3360 IMG_9233-002

These are pictures of Noelle (left) and Anna Kate (right) having a blast flying through the pumpkin patch in our butterfly costume, both age 3 1/2… enjoy!

IMG_3361 IMG_9228

IMG_3405 IMG_9238

IMG_3426

IMG_9206

IMG_3407 IMG_9201

IMG_3435 IMG_9203

IMG_3442 IMG_9212

IMG_3463

IMG_9217

Both of these outings are two of my favorite fall memories of all time!  The girls were so happy and free!  They both zoomed through the pumpkins with a mission to fly!  In my heart, they were flying high and always will!  Love you girls!!!

Girls Grow–Halloween Outfits!

November 2nd, 2012

IMG_3363 IMG_4393 IMG_9286

IMG_3295-001 IMG_4387 IMG_9155

IMG_3379 IMG_4436 IMG_9119

All of the above pictures are in this order: Noelle, Anna Kate, and Rose all 1 1/2 years old enjoying the fall with Mommy and Daddy!

IMG_3384-001

Noelle and Daddy five years ago!

IMG_3318 IMG_4455 IMG_9224

Noelle, Anna Kate, and Rose… I love comparing their hair at the same age!

IMG_9269

I just had to show you guys this one… Rose is a hot mess sometimes!!!

Trick or Treating!

November 1st, 2012

IMG_9349

We are so blessed by the awesome friends in our neighborhood!

IMG_9387

The PondFam5 Halloween 2012!

IMG_9315

Noelle picked this pumpkin from the pumpkin patch and decorated it for us this year… She’s always thinking of ways to make everything fun and festive!

IMG_9340

Noelle wanted fake eyelashes this Halloween, and they turned out super cute!

IMG_9433

I love this picture of Anna Kate!!!

IMG_9502

Rose was focused on the candy we were holding above the camera in this picture, but at least we got a shot (finally) of her beautiful blue eyes!

IMG_9343 IMG_9363

Malia and Anna Kate and Noelle and Georgia will all (fingers crossed) grow up across the street from each other and in the same grades in school.  We are so blessed to have such sweet friends!

IMG_9399

Kitty Kate (me), Cinderella Malia (Susie), and TCU Cheerleader Julia (Riann) are all hangin with their mommas!

IMG_9369

We got the cutest pictures last year of Rose and Jameson, but this year they were too busy playing!

IMG_9321 IMG_9329

IMG_9370 IMG_9380

Whew!  Getting three girls all dressed up is a lot.  When they all want fake eyelashes, I don’t know what I’m going to do!?!

IMG_9397 IMG_9409

Here’s my sweet Anna Kate posing with me, and Rose and Berkeley saying “Hi!”

IMG_9401 IMG_9406

Noelle and Anna Kate made decorations for the front door.  They were so proud of them!  Noelle’s said, “To:  All People Love: Noelle”  I never want to forget that!

IMG_9407

IMG_9423

IMG_9424 IMG_9428

Happy girls!  One of the most fun things about Halloween is just playing around in your costume with your friends… and it was fun to watch!

Jameson and Rose

This is as good as it gets for 20 month olds, ha!

IMG_9447

Anna Kate wanted her whiskers off… she’s so pretty!

IMG_9462

Grandpapa and Kay Kay came to watch the girls play with their friends and pass out candy while we trick or treated.  Thank you so much!

IMG_9465 IMG_9479

Love this picture of Mike with his girls, and this is Dr. Fikkert with her little buddies!

 IMG_9532-001 IMG_9531

Malia is such a princess!  Anna Kate had fun getting candy out of this man’s book… what a clever idea!

IMG_9509

She is already having a blast eating candy along the way!

  IMG_9518 IMG_9482

And then the girls ran into their hero, Mrs. Arnold, who was passing out treats on the go… we have such fun people in our neighborhood! 

IMG_9521 IMG_9524

Rose had so much fun getting to trick or treat this year!

IMG_9542 IMG_9548

The decorations were so fun and over the top!!!  I wish I could have bottled up the atmosphere… the weather was perfect, everyone was smiling and happy, it was great!

IMG_9554 IMG_9552

The Cobb’s house won top decorations in our book!  They had a spooky fog machine and were handing out glow sticks and candy to the kids!

IMG_9558

My three silly ghosts!

IMG_9571

Susie and I were being so silly at this point!  It was so much fun being goofy with the kids… we were having the time of our lives!

IMG_9583

IMG_9584

What a fun night!!!

Next