Halloween

So here they are ready to go trick or treating...we went to a family's house/neighborhood from the church, who puts on a family friendly alternative...they had music, lights, food and bouncy houses.  The kids loved it!

So Reya was a butterfly, Kade was spiderman, and Zane was Mickey Mouse. What a difference a year makes...we couldn't get Zane into his costume last year, but this year...he couldn't wait to put it on...and everyone he met he told them "I'm Mickey Mouse"! 

And Cole was a duck...but obviously not thrilled the whole time!

Here they are having some food with some of our church friends.

Here is the story that was featured on the local news...can you see Kade?!

http://www.minbcnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=681048#emailStoryWindow

Birthday Boy!

Well it's just so hard to believe but my baby turned one! It's been so amazing to see how much he is developing and changing in such a short time! He's such a happy baby and pretty easy going...but doesn't like to be away from me at home, so that does cause a few tears.  He's not walking yet, but moves along things pretty well and has been crawling now for a few weeks.  He also LOVES to dance!  Even if it's the slightest hint of music...he will start grooving! We have to keep an eye/ear out because Zane is a bit rough on him at times, but once he's big enough to give it back I'm sure he will!

Here he is in his little man suit on Sunday before his dedication...yes it is the cutest thing you've ever seen! =)

Here he is ready for some cake!

It looks like he likes it!

I love it mommy!

Getting ready for presents

They were all too eager to help!

Playing with his new toy!

Fall Festival

Our church had a fall festival for the kids and we were able to go and it was a lot of fun! 

Here they are playing some of the games at one of the stations

Finding the penny in the hay

Decorating pumpkins and the little boy next to Kade is his new best friend, Carter

Here we are heading out to the hayride

So this little boy sitting next to Zane is Gavin...and Zane and Gavin instantly became the bestest of friends. It is so cute to watch them see each other when we get to church...and they just run up to each other and hug and help each other get their coats off...they talk about each other all the time when they aren't at church...it's so cute!

Here's Reya enjoying the glow in the dark mini golf that they had for a station...it was such a fun event!

And last but not least...here are the pumpkins we carved..we as in Jamey and I..during the day before the fall festival...it was a lot of work, but we thought they turned out pretty good... the first is tinker bell (reya's choice), BOO!, A spider (Kade's Choice), Ohio State, and Mater

Lots of leaves

Well we have several mature trees in our yard, and with it comes lots of leaves.  We had several very nice fall days and decided to tackle some of the leaves! It's been fun to see the kids get more involved as they get older.

Here we are getting started!  They took turns using the rake!

Kade and Zane just grabbed handfuls! But they worked hard!

Here is our finished pile!...now it's time to jump in!

Can you find Reya?

Cole was exploring and having fun in his walker...what a happy baby!

Once they were done jumping we decided to fill up some pumpkin bags.

Yay! All done! They were so proud!

Reya's New School

So Reya of course had to start at a new school and I was probly more anxious than she was, but she is doing great!  She loves riding the bus and it seems she is making some friends.  It's a bit of a long day for her.  She gets on the bus by 7:50 in the morning and is home around 4:30.  We are all still adjusting to how tired she is, but she's getting there.  We decided not to put Kade in preschool due to the cost, and I'm hoping to work with him myself at home.  It hasn't seemed to bother him much though.  But here are some pics from her first day of school.

Her first day outfit!

Here she is all ready to go...it was a bit cool out. School started the day after Labor Day.

Zane is excited to see the Bus!

Kade is just excited!

Here they are all together waiting for the bus.  

And you might ask yourself...where is Cole?  You can see Jamey in the back ground and I'm taking the picture...yeah he's probly still inside by himself in his highchair...devouring his banana!  

So they had an open house at Reya's school a couple days after school started so we went to see her classroom and meet her teacher.  The boys really enjoyed getting to see everything.

Here she is standing next to her seat at the table

She loved showing the boys all the books

She declared this to be her favorite part of the playground

Here they are in front of the school

There's Cole! Poor guy gets left out of most everything!

A visit from Nana and Papa

Nana and Papa came for a visit over Labor Day weekend and we had a great time!

Here is Papa trying to rest...but not getting much!

And here's one with Eddy!!!

We decided to go check out this giant Christmas store called "Bronners" and it was fun...LOTS of Christmas stuff...and every type of ornament you can think of.  Here are the kids checking out the ornaments...if only I had a $1 for every time we had to say "don't touch just look"!!!

And on the way home, we stopped at a McDonalds with a play area.  

Here is Reya with Ronald

We couldn't resist snapping a photo of Jamey and Papa playing the kids video game

 My sweet Happy Cole! (it must have been the french fries!)

We decided to buy a new grill and here is Jamey using it for the first time! And teaching Kade the ropes!

And I caught Cole climbing the stairs...he's, of course, a pro now!

Now that we are less than 3 hours from them, we know we will get to see them a lot more often...which we are very much looking forward to!