Happy Halloween

We kicked off the Halloween holiday with an adult only costume party. Bert and Ernie were a big hit but the duct taped sweaters barely made it through the night. 

Annual Halloween parade at school.

The kids really wanted to kick up the outside decoration this year so we added some items to our collection. This crime scene was pretty fun!

The Greek Godess, Batman, and Hermione Granger ready to hit the neighborhood. 

The kids had the idea of wrapping the crime scene tape around the front door and planters. I think it turned out great! 

Evy had a fun time running around the neighborhood with her friends. 

Evy Turns 10!!

Birthday party at Pet Land where she and her friends got to play with puppies, bunnies, ferrets and a tarantula!!

In heaven!!!

Birthday doughnut on her birthday. 

Evy wanted to update her room for her birthday. So Scott replaced her purple paint with gray paint and she asked for birthday money to purchase a desk and chair. 

A new tradition at the girl's school is decorating the school mascot for each student's birthday. Charlie, Will and I snuch down to the school and put up some balloons and a poster for our best girl!

THE BIRTHDAY INTERVIEW

Q: What is your favorite color?

A: Aqua

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Tacos

Soft shelled ground beef taco with cheese and lettuce plus rice and beans is the current favorite. 

Q: Who is your best friend?

A: Addison, Laela, Hadley, Clara, Lila, Edie, Kathryn, Heather

Q: What is your favorite thing to do?

A: Spend time with puppies

Q: What is your favorite song?

A:  Party In The USA by Miley Cyrus and Down to the Honkytonk by Jake Owen

Q: What is your favorite treat?

A: Aunt Cathy’s chocolate bundt cake.

Q: What is your favorite drink?

A: Kiwi Propel and lemonade

Q: What is your favorite show or movie?

A: Incredibles 2, Grease, Fuller House

Q: What is your favorite toy?

A: Legos and phone

Q: What is your favorite thing to do with your family?

A: Go play with puppies, go on trips and go to movies

Q: Where is your favorite place to go?

A: Camp Wapsie

Q: What is your favorite book?

A: Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Elephant Secret

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?

A: Something to do with animals.

Q: Are there any other things you want to tell me about being ten?

A: I have a lot more homework. I have more responsibilities.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about school?

A: Art Class

Fall Fun

We love our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. 

Every year the kids run ahead of us in the corn maze. One of these years we're going to purposely lose them!

Scott did a great job of reading the map and got us through the maze efficiently. But, not before all three kids could whine for 15 mintues about being thirsty. 

We made it!

Probably Evy's last year doing the barrel ride. We had to "encourage" her to do it this year and she was super happy about it!

They always LOVE to play in the corn.

All of the kids drew faces for their pumpkins and then the girls retreated to another room while Scott did all of the dirty work. Will was the most interested in the process. 

UI Homecoming Parade

Charlie's Sparkle Squad participated in the UI Homecoming Parade. The weather was great and we had a fun time in downtown Iowa City!

Evy brought along a friend and they did a great job hauling in the candy.

Will had lots of fun too!

Fall Festival Fun

I love to make it to my hometown Fall festival when we can. This year Grandma Joan was in New York but we decided to keep Papa company.

Papa Jake was selling crafts at his garage sale. The kids got to keep the proceeds from all pumpkin sales and raked in about $10. 

They did a great job shouting "Get your barn wood crafts!" as potential customers neared.

The parade is always great; small crowds and short parade. Perfection!

A few "carnival rides." 

They all got to pick out a treat. Evy and Will chose a hand squeezed lemonade and Charlie wanted cotton candy. 

Rigging Everything

Will insists on rigging everything. This has been going on for at least two years. Trailers must carry more than they were intended too. Cars and trucks must be able to pull a trailer even if they were not intended to. Basically, he likes trying to force a square peg into a round hole. And he will not accept that things do not fit or work. In this picture he has a stack of pillows in his trailer all taped down with masking tape. We go through a lot of tape around here. We also go through a lot of string. He is stubborn and insists on making these things work. It mostly drives me nuts!