Halloween!

The day before Halloween, we carved our pumpkins. We actually got these back in September at Brocktoberfest and the kids wanted to carve them right away; but I knew they wouldn't make it to Halloween if we carved them that early. Especially since the weather has still been very summer-like. But then things got busy and we realized on Oct. 30th that if we didn't carve them that day then they wouldn't get carved.




The kids did pretty much all of it by themselves this year! Andy and I were around for supervision, but they pretty much flew solo.




Curtis lost his other front tooth earlier that day.








Halloween was a beautiful day here.


We had a witch.






A green ninja.




And Darth Vader.








Andy was a cheesehead.




Every witch needs her cat.


Posing by their pumpkins.


The past two years, we  got a late start to trick-or-treating. This year, we were ready too early. Fortunately, the museum on the square always has Halloween crafts and snacks on Halloween night, so we stopped there first.




Then we walked a block to the Baptist church and went "trunk-or-treating".










There's not much trick-or-treating on our area of the street, so the past couple of years we've been looking for our spot. This year we found it. The streets were alive this night. So many families out trick-or-treating together. I think since so many people live in the country and can't trick-or-treat out there, it naturally brings everyone together in town.


We didn't have to ring any doorbells. The evening was so nice that everyone was out sitting on their porches.


After some time, the kids got tired and we went home to eat candy, light our jack-o-lanterns, and watch Spooky Shrek Tales. I loved this Halloween. :)

Basketball Season is Here

Bella is playing 5th Grade basketball for our school this year. Back in September, they started practicing for an hour-and-a-half each night, Monday thru Thursday. Their first game was October 24th. Bella was soooooo nervous for that first game.


It is so much fun to watch her play, but I must confess that I feel nervous myself.


Now that they have a few games under their belt, she is starting to feel a bit more confident.


It's neat to see my kids excel in things that I was never any good at. :)

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.