Halloween fun

We went to a local apple orchard to pick apples, but were unprepared for the cold snap.  We had fun picking out pumpkins instead and just bought apples at the store there.  And cider and donuts.  Mmm!  

This year I found these cool golf tee looking things that you stick into a hollowed out pumpkins.  Sort of  the Lite Brite concept.  I love it!  Bridget's, Alice's, and Evelyn's.

The rest look pretty good too.  I love that Alice's pumpkin has a much thinner wall so

 the whole thing glows!  Isaac, Lydia, Bridget, Alice, Evelyn, and Mike's.  This year I just helped with pumpkins since I just wanted to buy cute little ones to decorate the house.  

We dressed up for our ward Halloween party.  Mike, Lydia, and I dressed up as a theme.  Can you guess?  Probably not.  I was really impressed when one sister knew right away who we were.  Oh, you can't see Lydia's cowboy hat. 

I am Madama Zeroni, Lydia is the Warden, and Mike is a digger from the book Holes.  

The rest of the kids looked pretty good too.  Isaac as a knight.  Better pictures to come.  He made his shield and was super proud of it.  

A cat, a witch, and another cat.  

Happy Birthday Isaac!

Isaac turned 11!

He got a plasma ball (that I had to play with, you know, to make sure it worked) and a laser tag set (that we bought after Christmas last year and had been sitting in our closet since then) AND I found this huge framed Star Wars poster the day before at Goodwill!  

Isaac wanted a peanut butter chocolate cake.  I think it looks nice and autumn-y.

Happy birthday, kiddo!  We love our Isaac!

The next week he had a couple friends over and they played laser tag outside, then made pizzas and watched Tron Legacy.  Great fun!  

Also at school Isaac got to do the morning announcements for the month of October.  Teachers all tell me how great he does.  I was in the office one morning and I got to see him.  He's such a great speaker!

Good times

We like to read books together as a family.  After we started the book Holes we went to Alum Creek Lake.  Isaac brought a shovel and was determined to dig.  He didn't quite get 5 ft deep or 5 ft across, but he had a great time and was the envy of lots of boys at the lake.  

One day when Bridget got home from morning kindergarten we went to Mike's work to have a picnic lunch behind his building.  So fun.

Our niece, Cami, who plays rugby for Dartmouth, was in Cleveland one weekend.  We drove up and although we didn't get to see her game, we got to see her for a couple hours.  We went to a beautiful park in a super fancy part of town.

I had to take a picture of this super gorgeous house there!

When school started Isaac realized he couldn't see the board.  I think he looks handsome in his new glasses!

Cuteness walking from the bus stop.

We got our house painted!  Before.

After!  I absolutely LOVE it! (We've since replaced the beige storm door with a white one.  And eventually the front door will be red.)  Eeeee!  It's so pretty!  

The Weaver's store had their autumn customer appreciation day.  Apple dumplings!  I was in heaven.

We found the kittens a little bigger than when we last saw them in June.  Isaac was taken with this one and even shared his ice cream.  It was very sweet to watch him.  

Lydia has been wanting high top Converse for months now.  She was so excited to finally buy them.  

I guess trees wear sweaters too.  Funky park art.

Evelyn walking with Alice to the bus stop.  She wears her backpack like the big kids.  It's usually full of coloring books and crayons and socks. 

More cuteness.

Bridget's Big Day

Bridget had the best 5th birthday ever!  She got to start kindergarten!  (Long story short, she was assigned to afternoon kindergarten, but was switched to morning after her first day.)  Here are some pictures of her exciting day!  Playing games.

We got to bring cupcakes to her class.

Alice helped with the lemon frosting for the doll cake.

Pretty pretty!  This year I painted the bodice because I hate trying to get frosting on that torso!  

Here comes my big kindergartener, sporting a fabulous birthday crown which she proceeded to wear all day.  Bridget loves the bus!

Bridget wanted this puppy that came with its own carrying bag and comb.  And she got a mermaid Barbie so she and Evelyn can both play with their mermaids in the big tub.  

Doll cake!  And look at that perfect ringlet!

Cute kids.  And yes, Alice is not wearing any pants.  

Happy birthday to our darling Bridget.  She is so sweet and we love her so much!  

School Starts

Lydia started 8th grade this year.  I'm so glad she still lets me walk her to the bus stop.  I love the one on one time to chat and the morning quiet of the neighborhood.  My growing up Lydia.

Isaac started 5th grade and Evelyn started 3rd.  Looking snazzy in their school shirts.  (The shirts are only really required for field trips, but the kids were excited wear them on the first day.)

Bridget had a special "gentle start" to kindergarten on the day everyone else started school.  She went to her class for just a couple hours.  Here she is with her beautiful teacher, Mrs. Ivery.