Halloween 2011

Ahh, yet another Halloween has flown by. I love Halloween. It is just so fun! All the parties and the costumes! When I pulled out the boys' costumes from last year to sell on Craigslist, they begged to wear them again this year. Um, ok! I saved a lot of money! So Zachary was a giraffe and Tyler was a dalmatian, and Kylie was an OSU cheerleader. Mike got the cheerleading costume on major clearance after last year's football season. We went pretty cheap this year!

We had an early dinner and headed to our church for Trunk or Treat and games. I love our church! And of course we had a wonderful time playing all the games and getting candy.

When we got home we trick-or-treated the neighborhood. Thankfully it was dry, but it was definitely a little chilly. Kathryn carried Kylie most of the way and kept her wrapped in a blanket. Kylie loves her "Ka-ka." I just love the bond that these two sisters have.

When we got home we of course had to examine all the candy. Kylie was telling Papa all about her candy. I can't wait until my dad retires on January 20th because he will be able to be at all the kids' events after that without being too tired or getting home too late after work.

Look at all this candy!!

Football

The boys finished football today. They played flag football this year through a Christian league called Upwards Sports. I cannot say enough amazing things about this league. We will be Upwards kids for many years to come, I am sure. They also have basketball so that will be next winter. The boys had the best time ever, and our team had amazing coaches. The boys made friends that I know they will see for years to come. This week was their team party and they both got awards and trophies.

Zach got the 'Intensity Award' because let me tell ya, this normally easy-go-lucky guy was all business on the football field (mini-Matthew). He was all over the ball and pulling those flags and loved to blitz the QB and pull his flag. One coach told me that Zachary was one of his favorites to coach and one of the most coach-able players on the team. Zach was always so eager to learn something new and do whatever was asked and had an amazing attitude no matter what.

I couldn't get Tyler to show me his award and smile, but he got the 'Best Effort Award'. Tyler was always out there hustling and doing anything he could and always gave 100%. He also was really helpful to other players and other teams. I was really proud of Tyler to watch him control his energy and focus it on the field in such a positive way. He had some phenomenal defensive plays where he was looking ahead and anticipating what would happen next and had some great offensive runs. Last week he ran in a touchdown AND scored the 2-point conversion.

I'm a super-proud mom of these two guys! And we survived the entire season, practices and games, with no rain. Talk about lucky! And we came away with some friends that I know we will have for years to come. Can't wait for next year!!!

Denial...

..................I am in complete and total denial. How did this happen? How did Kathryn grow up so fast into this beautiful girl who is 12 going on 16? Kathryn was 1 when I first met her and 5 when I married Mike. And now I am worried that I am going to have to beat the boys off with a stick! Or Mike's shotgun. Either way....it isn't gonna be pretty. Kathryn had a dance at school last night and she and her friend Shianne had a great time. In 6th grade, she said they just mostly stood around and there wasn't much dancing (which was fine by me) but she said that last night she danced the whole time. I am drinking a glass of wine right now as I type this so I don't have to think about the years to come and the possibility of boyfriends.

Pumpkin Patch 2011

Today was such a soggy, wet day, but we braved the pumpkin patch anyway. We didn't last more than about 1.5 hours, so hopefully we'll go back on a drier day. But the kids still had all sorts of fun.