Halloween Weekend

Our weekend started on Thursday with our Joy School Halloween Party. It was so fun to see all the kids in their costumes and to watch them participate in Joy School at someone else's house.

All the Mom's got to come for a fun lunch with all kinds of different Halloween treats.

I think she really is saying "Go Blue!!!"

Owen won a cupcake on his first attempt at the cupcake walk!!!

We had our ward Halloween party on Saturday. Complete with face painting, games, and trunk or treating! Owen chose a pumpkin to be put on his face and I was so impressed that he let one of the young women paint it on him....

I didn't think about three seconds later when it would be smeared all over his face and hands!

I'm so impressed with how many times we were actually able to use the Halloween costumes this year.

I loved all the people who were willing to open up their trunks for the little kids! Especially those that dressed up for the occasion!

The family supporting the Michigan Wolverines!!!

Cali and Owen waiting for the rest of their friends to start trick-or-treating. Luckily they had a succor from the church party to keep up the sugar high!

We loved having the trick-or-treaters come to our house too!!!

It was fun to see Owen get into Trick-or-treating this year. He would go up to the door with the rest of the kids and didn't need us there at all... except maybe to keep him from walking down the middle of the street!

One of our neighbors goes all out on decorations for his house. The kids were enchanted by this head in a ball thing outside. I thought it was a little creepy.

I think he was still on a sugar high on Sunday. This is what happened when I asked him for a picture!

This was as good as I was able to get.

I love the dress and matching shoes! Thanks Christy!

I know I've said this before, but isn't she adorable!

Sunday evening we went out for a walk. It was a little chilly outside so everyone was bundled up.

Who dressed this boy????? Really, all I wanted was for him to be warm enough. I didn't really think about how silly he would look.

I am flying by myself with the kids over Christmas (Brian comes a couple days later) so we were practicing using headphones with Owen. He loved it and could have stayed there all night. Go Mickey Mouse!

Tummy time!!!!!!!

October News- super long!

There have been several pictures that I haven't posted this past month so today I made myself sit down and do it. These are all in reverse order (in case anyone else ever pays attention to that like me!) Last night Owen and Brian carved his pumpkin last night. He was so excited to see it again today, we went out SEVERAL times to see it!

This was last night when he was looking at the finished product. He was so excited!

Owen loves to see his name in lights!

It's done! It's done!!

Pumpkin carving is great when you have someone else doing all the labor!

He didn't really want to get his hands dirty.

Now, she has the life!

Toys on either side of her and just sleeps whenever she feels like it!

Fall in Michigan means Apple Pies and Brian has become addicted to them! So much so that the other night he made his own!!! Doesn't it look good!! It tasted great too!

He looks like such a natural in the kitchen!

Father/Daughter time

On Sunday Owen fell asleep the last five minutes of our drive home. He never stays asleep when I try to carry him in, but I always try. So this day, I carried him in all nice and he actually put his head on my shoulder and I asked him if he wanted to lay on the blue couch or on the red couch (he's into getting choices right now) and he said, "No, I want to lay right here". So I put him down exactly where he wanted to be... right next to the treadmill. So he snuggled up to the treadmill and had a nice 30 minute nap or so. Funny kid!!!

Both kids asleep at the same time... awesome. Didn't last long.

Pretty in pink!

On Saturday we went over to Ryan and Michelle's' to watch the Michigan game. Ryan actually looks pretty comfortable handling a baby!

The hand off.... don't break her!

Owen is loved by SO many people! He is a lucky little boy!

Michelle figured out pretty quick that Ellika loves to snuggle in close!

Here are a few other pictures from our Halloween Singing Time last week. Here are Tinkerbell and captain hook!

Owen making his ghost!

Fun kids, fun costumes!!

Ellika likes her swing so much more than Owen ever did. And I'm so glad she does! It is a life savor for me!

For Joy School last week, we took a field trip to the Apple Orchard. It was really nice. We even got to end with a doughnut and cider!

We learned that bees help the apples grow.... here is a picture of the kids being the bees around the tree.

The kids listened to how the apples grow and learned how to pick an apple so as not to damage the tree.... twist and pull.

I'm always surprised that the kids pay attention so well!

Owen is fascinated with his letters right now. And this letter book is one of his favorites!

We pulled out the Bundle Me last week. Man it's cold here!!! But she stays nice and warm!

Yummy Dexter Cider Mill with Rachie... apples, doughnuts, and an apple pie for Brian!!

Please do not look closely at Owen's hair... but just as an explanation, I attempted to cut it, started way too short and then begged Brian to finish it. The finished product isn't bad from far away, but extremely uneven up close! Luckily we go back to see Grandma soon!!

And Ellika is just busy growing and playing!!

Move over Rich Rod!!!!

We had our first outing today in Halloween costumes. We went to singing time at a neighbors home and all dressed up. I just loved how cute both my kiddos looked so I had to take their pictures!!! I'm excited for Halloween this year because I have no doubt Owen will get the concept and love getting all that candy!!! Owen is a Michigan Football Coach....

And Ellika is his little cheerleader!

More pictures to come later from this Halloween season, but had to share these today. Too cute!!!

Funny photo shoot

I noticed that Ellika's flowers matched Owen's sweater the other day so I thought I would see if I could take a picture of the two of them together. It was a pretty funny experiment. It might be a little easier when Ellika can sit up a bit more on her own. Although, Owen thought it was pretty funny when she would flop over on him.

I think she is so cute!!! I can't believe how big she is getting. She turned 7 weeks old today!

Not sure Ellika thought a photo shoot sounded like a good idea.... she looks a little grumpy.

Here's one of those floppy moments Owen found funny.

I love Owen's face in this picture!

I need to tell Ellika, "No belly shirts!"

She has started to smile and I love it!! But it's really hard to capture on camera. This is kind of it.

Owen likes to get right in Ellika's (or mom or dad's) face and talk to her. He is usually saying something like, "You're OK sweet pea", "You need to be happy", or "You need to go to sleep".... things I must say to her all day too.

Cider Mill

They said it would happen... the time when Dad becomes the coolest person in a little boys life. I guess I just thought I couldn't be replaced that easily! Turns out I can and I am. It's all about Dad right now and to quote Owen, he is the "best dad in the whole wide world!"

On Saturday we met up with some friends at the Franklin Cider Mill. It was the perfect fall day. The Mill was neat, but super crowded! But it's always fun to get donuts, pumpkins, a hotdog (for Brian) and a fresh apple pie! Yummy!

He has turned into quite the poser!

She is such a great baby! Too bad she is sleeping through all the fun stuff we do!

Rachael and Rachael... aka Rachie and Bibe

Like father, like son.... SO SO MUCH!!!

We got to watch the apples be pressed. Owen was concerned about all the apple juice dripping on the floor. What a waste of good apple juice!

Helping Owen pick out the very best pumpkin... turns out he didn't really want to take one home, he just liked picking them all up and putting them back in.

Gigi and Baboo... this used to be how Owen would say their names. I'm a little sad he can now pronounce Tony and Bibe!

Our little family minus Ellika... she was asleep in her stroller and I live by the motto of never waking a sleeping baby!!

Fall is here!

It's now officially fall. We have to wear jackets to the park. I am just going to concentrate on the fact that we still get to go to the park before it gets too cold here!!! Hopefully we still have a few weeks!!

Owen now loves to climb UP the slide. So much cooler than sliding down!

Ellika enjoys the park like this!

SO SAD!!!! We had to take the boat to get winterized and left it in storage until next spring!!!! Again, SO SAD!!!

The kiddos hanging out in the back seat of the truck.

Football season is here in FULL FORCE! Last Sat. was the Michigan vs. Michigan State game. Sorry to all the Michigan fans out there. It was a fun game to watch and I always love the party flare. Bibe had a combined birthday party/game day celebration. I think there might have been more state fans there. Weird! Rita and Jim supporting green.

Here is the true blue blood! Alicia, Rachie, Ellika, and JoJo. Owen was decked out in his Michigan gear too, but I think he was busy playing with his cars during this picture.

Trish, Angie, Bibe, and Tony. I will fully admit that I am more about the party and a good game and cute collage clothes than I am about who wins. This day I happened to be a State fan. Which worked out well for me since they won!

Isn't she cute???!!!

And since Owen was all decked out in Michigan gear on Saturday, Ryan and Michelle brought him a new t-shirt to wear for future games.... OHIO STATE!!! I think we're going to have to pick a neutral color when the two teams play each other! This could get tricky!!! But he loves his new tractor shirt!

Since the weather has turned cooler, we now have to find inside play areas. There is a mall about 20 minutes from our house that has a great kids area (and great stores too). We met up with a few friends there this week to play for awhile. Owen loved climbing all over everything and playing with his friends.

This week was my week to teach Joy School. I was a little nervous about having five little ones all together and to try and teach them something. Tuesday was a little chaotic, but today was GREAT! I think Tues. was a good learning experience and taught me a little more of what to expect from these great kids.

We started out with a little free play until everyone arrived. Then we did our welcome song, calender, and weather chart. I introduced todays color green by reading a poem and then we practiced this weeks song; All the Earth is mine.

Then we moved to the kitchen table to work on the letter E and the number 5. They got to trace their letters and circle all the E's and then glue 5 pieces of Cheerios and pasta onto a paper. I was surprised with how well they all did with these tasks. Especially their attention level!

Then we put on all of our hats, coats, shoes, and gloves and headed out for our nature walk. This unit is on the Earth and today we were experiencing the Joy of Nature. We walked a little ways to this little pond and had a picnic while appreciating the world around us.

The kids were all so good!!!!

We had a little picnic snack of peanut butter and honey, juice box, grapes, and trail mix.

The kids all made view finders on Tuesday and got to use them today. Aren't they so cute looking at the water through them!!!

And now they are looking at the pine tree next to us. So cute!

We tried to feed the ducks. Too bad there weren't any. There was a big white bird we looked at, but I don't know what it was! So we decided we were feeding the fish!

They were all so good to hang onto the little rope for our walk. I was a little nervous about the walk there and back but they all did GREAT!!!

We came back from our walk and went downstairs for our marshmallow treat and free time until their moms came back to get them. I think the treats were a hit! Although a little gooey!

Miss A.

Miss A.

Mr. O

Miss C.

The two older girls were playing Dr. I think this one was the patient... she looks like a pretty happy and healthy patient!!

The three younger ones liked the train table, at least for a few minutes at a time! I love how well they all get along!

Owen loves his new chalkboard, but we have had a couple time-outs due to him coloring on everything BUT the chalkboard!!!

And hopefully my next post won't be titled winter is here!!!

Ellika's first photo shoot!

I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves!

Thanks Rachie!!!