Growth

Each student in Madelyn's class got a small pot with a pumpkin seed planted in it. Madelyn diligently watered it every day and we watched it sprout!

And grow and grow!

Dinner Party

We had a dinner party at our house in November because we missed the Whisenants over Easter and we wanted to get everyone together.

The kids table . . .

After dinner, the kids all went outside to "play". We actually got them to rake the entire yard! Kidding - but they LOVED playing in the leaves.
The leaf war began . . .

Dylan and Landon ganging up on Ashlynn!

Again!

Everyone gathering their ammo . . .

Open fire!!

Falling into their weaponry in exhaustion!

She got me . . .

Lips Like Sugar

Or wax . . .

Homework

Madelyn's preschool sends homework bags home every Thursday and it's her favorite! She always wants to do her homework immediately!! I sure hope that continues throughout her school career!

First we read some books about colors.

Next up: lay out some cards with colored pictures and match the smaller cards, with color names, with the correct pictures. She is such a whiz kid!

Finished! Record time!
Next was another color assignment - a science experiment!

Filling the test tubes with water . . .

Writing her name on her paper . . .

Dropped the color tabs in 3 of the tubes and waiting for them to finish "fizzing". . .

Checking out all the colors . . .

1st task: What do you get when you mix red and blue? Of course she already knew. :)

She loves this science stuff - just like her mommy!

Next was yellow and red. She was comparing it to her cup. :)

She finished it all and wanted more! Such a intellect!

Another Day at School

Bright and shiney and ready for school!

Marek was not quite dressed yet but wanted in on the pictures . . .

Love Love Love my babies.

"Day After Engagement" Party

We headed over to Brian and Jessica's house on Saturday to celebrate the newly engaged couple!

Our group photo. We took quite a few . . .

There were more but I'll spare you . . .

Too much excitement and candy the night before. My baby boy was out.

My guys make me so happy. :)

Halloween/Gena's and Dan's Engagement!!

This halloween we had a superhero theme. Madelyn was wonderwoman and Marek was Robin! This year was a special Halloween. Dan had called me and said he wanted to pop the question to Gena! Yeah! We started thinking of a plan. Tommy actually came up with the idea for Dan to tell Gena he wasn't able to make it in for the weekend because of work. I invited Gena to come over and trick or treat with us in my parent's neighborhood. Dan's sister would pick him up at the airport and bring him to my parents house at a designated time (while we were out trick or treating). It just HAD to work!

Robin, Cupid (Gena), and Wonder Woman.

Our little Super Heros! Tom and I didn't dress up this year. It was all I could do to make sure we stuck to the plan!
Ashlynn and Chase were pirates!

Cheese!

We headed off to our first house! Mari (far left) dressed as a flapper girl!

TRICK OR TREAT!!

Marek was getting the hang of it - diggin' in!

Marek was getting sleepy from all the tricking and treating.

Our favorite spot to take a picture every year. :)

Uncle Brian took over carrying big man for a while. . .

When we got back to my parent's house, I had to coerce Gena to get to the front with the kids. I made up some story about us having a tradition of ringing the doorbell at nana and papa's house as our last house and I needed everyone in a costume front and center. It's not odd for me to be carrying a couple cameras plus a video camera. :) Gena was so confused as to who answered the door - she thought it was my dad until she heard him talk. She grabbed for the mask and . . .

The mystery man dressed as a giant pumpkin was none other than Dan. :) Gena was shocked and surprised! It worked!

Dan managed to get down on one knee, fish the ring out of the candy bowl and asked Gena to spend the rest of her life with him!

She said "yes"!!!

Megan, Dan's sister, was there to join in on the celebration!

Dan was SO glad when it was all over.

The happy couple! Their children will be orange with pink hair. :)

Congratulations, Dan and Gena!!

Lakehouse

It's such a treat when we get to nana and papa's lakehouse. Tom was out of town so the kids and I headed over there to spend the weekend with nana and papa.

When we got there, nana and papa had backpacks filled with all sorts of goodies for the kids. Each grandbaby has their own bag. They were filled with ball shooters, binoculars, etc. Such fun!

After the backpack excitement, we took a boat ride.
Marek was getting sleepy rocking with the waves and nana rubbing his baby face.

Madelyn was having so very much fun helping papa drive the boat.

All hands on deck . . .

My sweet princess.

So much fun.

CHEESE!

All this boating is exhausting . . . :)

That night, nana had crafts for us. We blew up balloons and put glow sticks in them then drew faces on them. Glow in the dark ghosts! This was right up Madelyn's alley . . .

Marek didn't understand the "color the face" part. He started coloring his own face. :) He takes things SO literally!

So with a little more guidance, he got the hang of it. . .

So proud of her work.

Marek was more interested in banging his balloon around . . .

Next it was PJs on and ready for bed!

The next day we explored the outdoors, took a walk, and enjoyed the beautiful day.

Nana had more projects for us that afternoon. She had made little ghosts out of tissue and white cloth. More face making! Madelyn loves crafts.

Marek knew what to do this time!

What a great weekend!! Thank you, nana and papa!