Fall is here!

Our town celebrated "Heritage Days" at the end of September. Thousands of people make their way to Hope for the last weekend of September to shop at vendor booths, enjoy a variety of food, listen to live music, and participate in an assortment of activities all centered on celebrating the history of our town. The boys were part of an old-fashioned medicine show. I was working at our youth group booth at the time and didn't get to see it; but I heard it was pretty funny.








The Pioneer Village offered lots of old games and activities for them to enjoy.


They also participated in the tractor pull. Then on Saturday evening, the sky was filled with fireworks and the air was filled with songs about Indiana.

Part of the festivities every year is the parade on Sunday afternoon. Andy and I were in it this year as Martin and Susanna Hauser. Martin Hauser was the founder of our town and was the first pastor of our church. Our high school is named after him.



The kids were also in the parade. Bella walked with the elementary school.


And the boys were on our church youth group float.


We're really enjoying being a part of this small town and all of its celebrations.

A new Flag Football league formed in town and Andy is one of the coaches.


Our Mabel is getting bigger!

Her favorite place to sit is on your lap.


These two have a special relationship already.


On the Friday before Fall Break, the first grade classes went on a field trip to the zoo. Many times, when I go to the zoo, the animals are often sleeping. They were actually pretty active this day. We even had a tiger come right up to the glass and open his mouth for us. Those teeth are huge! So glad for the glass that separated us!




After leaving the Indianapolis Zoo around 1:30pm, we were about five miles out when our bus broke down. We were still on a busy city highway when our bus driver pulled over. And our bus door wouldn't open! It was hot in that bus of 53 first graders and four adults. We called for a police escort to help us unload, but after 30 minutes of sweating on the bus and the police not coming, a parent who had been following the bus set out some cones and then we all exited out the emergency exit. We were close to Victory Field where the baseball team plays, so we walked there and sat under a tree while waiting for another bus to come and pick us up. We finally made it back to school around 4:15pm - almost two hours after we were supposed to arrive back and over an hour after school let out! It was quite an adventure for our first graders!

That evening, I came home from school and changed because it was date night for me and Andy! We finally got to celebrate our 14th anniversary.


We drove up to Greenwood to eat at The Cheesecake Factory. We had a gift card, so we decided to splurge. We both ordered drinks, nice meals, and dessert. It wasn't until after we paid when we realized that we forgot to use the gift card! But we had such a nice time and our server was exceptional. She even brought out our cheesecake with a candle and "Happy 14th Anniversary To You" written on it. And then she didn't even charge us for it. Best date we've had in a while.

The next day was kind of windy - perfect for flying a kite. Bella has the best flyer.


Curtis and Graydon had $3 Target kites. They worked OK.


Curtis has been randomly asking to have his photo taken. This was one night after his bath.


And again on the playground at Papa and Gaga's apartment. Over Fall Break, we drove up to Wisconsin to visit with the Kilpses and Meades.


Papa hooked the boys up with some Cub Scout gear.


Papa and his Cub Scouts.




I love October.

Brocktoberfest Weekend

As our family grows, people get married, kids are born, etc. . . it gets hard for all of us to get together on the traditional holidays. For this reason, my family decided to create its own holiday during a time of year when every just might be able to come together. My mom's side of the family has German and Polish ancestry; so several family members decided to start our own Oktoberfest celebration. My mom's maiden name: Brockhaus + Oktoberfest created Brocktoberfest.

Jeff and his girls flew up and we were able to get all of the kids together.


They had a great time reconnecting and playing together.








And now for Brocktoberfest! We had quite the crew!


All of the great-grandkids.


The original Brockhauses.


We also celebrated my Uncle Jake's 60th birthday.
























My brother and cousin grew some pumpkins and all of the kids got to pick one.




Hammerschlagen - it's harder than it looks!




I think this is one of my new faves of my parents. I *heart* candid shots.


But posed ones are nice too.




Raffle time.






















Curtis was the last of the kids to win a prize. He was thrilled when his number was finally called!










Sunset on the farm.


My cousin made this photo spot.












We had such a fun day - so many happy memories!

***

We took the kids to the pumpkin farm the next day. This is the farm I went to as a kid and the one that I measure all other farms to. And no other pumpkin farm comes close in my book.

In this instance, Graydon's silly face is spot on perfect!




The kids sure are getting tall!




Graydon is happy that he is still taller than Curtis.














Corn maze.


Hay maze.


Hay ride.


The thing I remember best about his pumpkin farm is all of the pumpkin displays. They do an awesome job.










This had the potential to be a really cute photo. But that sun was just too bright!


I LOVED this weekend. Lots of great family time packed into a couple of short days. Makes my heart happy.

Now back home in Indiana. . .

Curtis played his last soccer game of the season on Monday evening. It actually worked out quite well. His last game was supposed to be the previous Friday and we would have missed it because we went up to Wisconsin. But it rained down here and the game was postponed. Curtis got to play in his final game after all.  And he scored 3 goals!


A couple of days later, he finally lost that front tooth that has been loose and hanging for about a month. And this mama heart had a hard time seeing my last baby lose their front tooth. Their appearances change SO much when those grown-up teeth come in. He is growing up!


We moved Mabel to the front yard instead of the back. It set her back a little bit in potty training (she had to create new spots), but I think she likes it. And this week we have made huge progress in the potty training. Lots of potties outside and only a couple of accidents inside. We're getting there! Where's Mabel?


Reunited with Fuzzy, who we accidentally left in Wisconsin. Auntie Mary shipped him up to us.


Life continues to be busy with basketball practice (Bella), gymnastics (Bella), Cub Scouts (the boys), obedience class (Mabel), karate (the boys just started), and flag football (Andy is coaching). We're in a busy phase right now, which is often the case in the fall. Sometimes I get overwhelmed by all of it; but mostly I am thankful for the different opportunities that our kids have and it definitely keeps our lives interesting!