Trick or Treat!!

It's Halloween and the kids can't wait to go out trick or treating! This year Lauren wanted to be a gymnast, Mad Minnie Mouse, and Ryan a trash man. We went out with our neighbors and the kids had a great time. It was a lot of fun to see the kids enjoying themselves. Lauren pulled her tooth out while we were out which made her a little bloody for a few houses. Both girls lost teeth on the Halloween. Trick or treat and the tooth fairy... a win win situation!! The weather was so much better than last year too!! It was a great night and lots of fun.

Pumpkin Day

Each year we go and get our pumpkins at Wall and Associates. It's fun and it's free! The kids picked big ones this year and all had their own ideas for what they wanted carved into the pumpkins. Ryan wanted just a happy face. Madeline wanted a cat. Lauren's ended up with four faces...one on each side. They were really cool! I love these memories..

The Zoo Boo

We visited the Indianapolis Zoo during their Zoo Boo hours. The night we went was Radio Disney night. The kids got to be in a costume contest which the radio Disney person said that Ryan was the cutest Trash man she has seen! The Zoo Boo is always a fun family night. The kids had a fun time and all was well until we left to go home....that's when we discovered a flat tire on the van! It didn't ruin the night though. We all had fun and the weather was great.

Madeline is 6 1/2!!

Madeline is now six and a half! She is super excited to be a half year older. Again, half birthdays are pretty exciting around here. She still loves pink so she choose a pink half cake. We also had pizza for dinner....her favorite!

Conner Prairie

The fourth graders had their field trip this fall to Conner Prairie. It's always a big field trip that the kids look forward to for a long time! They are studying Indiana History and the timing is great as they are studying the early settlers on Indiana. The kids had a fantastic time and the weather couldn't have been better!! The kids were able to do many hands on activities. I'm glad that I was able to go with the school. I really like Conner Prairie myself!

Soccer

Both girls played soccer this fall which kept us really really busy. Madeline loved soccer and was starting to get the idea of it by the end of the season. Lauren really blossomed this season. Her team had a fantastic season and Lauren herself scored two goals early on. She also improved in most areas of the game throughout the season. It was a fun time but it's nice to have the season done for awhile!!

Look Who's 3 1/2

Half birthdays are pretty important at our house! Here is Ryan with his half cake for his three and a half birthday. He had McD's for lunch and we had half cake later that day.

Ryan's First Day of Preschool

Ryan is now in school too...preschool that is! He wasn't so sure this is what he had in mind until Mad let him know that they have snacks and then it was all good. He's excited to have his own school. He was quiet the first day but he seemed to enjoy himself. He's pretty easy going guy so I'm sure he'll have a great time at school. It is hard on Mom to admit her baby is in preschool but I'll be fine too!! Ryan was pretty fascinated by the little potties at school. I guess that means he used them!

First Day of School!!!

Yes, it's that time of year again! The girls were off to their first day of school this morning. Mad was super excited to be a first grader and stay ALL DAY at school. Plus, she LOVES her teacher Miss Cain. Lauren was nervous but she too is excited to have Mrs. Maire and some of her friends in her class. Plus, she is in a new hallway which is big stuff! The girls picked out their outfits last night and told me what they wanted in their lunch for the first day. It's pretty exciting around here! Ryan had to wear his backpack today to school too but he has about a month before he is off to preschool....but he wanted to wear his to school today too!!!

A Simple Reminder....

It's been six months since the tornado came down our street. Most of the houses have been repaired and fences and whatnot replaced. It's hard to find evidence of that amazing night when you drive down the street now....except for this tree. This tree use to be a full tree and the tail of the tornado sliced right through it on it's way down our street. Now it looks more like a "V" instead. Perhaps "V" for victory?!? For those of us here it stands as a simple reminder of the great mess that storm made and a reminder how through it all not only did everyone survive the storm but neighbors became better acquainted too! I like to drive by the tree and reflect on that eventful night and am thankful we are all well.

FIREWORKS!!!

After the fourth fest closes down, we pull our chairs out of our vehicles and watch the fireworks in the parking lot of church. I even let the kids do the sparklers this year. Plus I had those glow necklaces this year too. Madeline headed inside for her own private (read quiet) viewing of the fireworks. Yeah, I was the cool Mom this year. By the time the fireworks were done the kids were tired!! They had it. After the family time earlier in the day then the fourth fest plus fireworks....well, they slept well that night!

Fourth Fest

Being that our church is downtown, what better place to hold a fourth fest party?!? Each year it gets bigger and better. This year over 200 people were there for food, games, and music. It was alot of fun. The kids enjoyed getting their faces painted and jumping in the inflatables. Lauren and Mad had fireworks painted on their cheeks but Ryan wanted to be a dog... what a surprise I know!! The music was nice and the weather fantastic! What a great evening!!

Fourth of July Family Style

We were all able to make it to the family fourth fest this year. No emergency rooms with scary faces and shots in odd places this year! Just good ol' family time. The cousins all enjoyed playing on the playground and blowing bubbles at each other. The guys played the annual bbal game and then Uncle "D" gave some pointers to the future players. What a patient uncle he is! There was lots of good food and even better fellowship. It's always a special time when we all get together.

Summer Time!!

Yes we are still alive and no we have not fallen off the face of the earth! But, thanks for the concerns!! We have been enjoying summer around here. You know, it only comes once a year so we are making the best of it. The Parks Department here has a fantastic list of activities for the kids to do over the summer. Lauren has been learning tennis twice a week and both girls are doing kickball twice a week. Plus Lauren had church camp and a Young Writers workshop and they all have been doing the summer reading program at the library. Lauren is about to head to Art Camp this week through the Parks too. Next week Mad heads to the Fun Zone through the school. Lauren will join her the following week. Needless to say, we have been very busy enjoying our summer. I love the programs for the kids. Keeps the "I'm bored" comments to a minimum!! We have found more kids in the neighborhood to play with. There are four three year old boys within a block different directions from our house. That will come in handy in a few years I am sure!!! Mad has been playing with a girl from her class around the corner as well as Linds across the street. Lauren has been in heaven since a girl moved in right next door!!! I can't tell you how excited she is. Miley is still with us and is finally calming down somewhat. She really is a good dog, just still somewhat of a puppy.

Tried to sneak in some learnin'

On the way home we visited the Abraham Lincoln birthplace. Being that he and I share a birthday and Lauren was Abe for a book report this year we thought this would be a fun trip. The kids weren't impressed with it at all! No history buffs with them! Dad and Mom thought it was interesting though. It was fun to stand where he was born and here neat facts about his boyhood and family. Mad and Ryan did enjoy playing with authentic Lincoln Logs though! It was fun for the adults.