Halloween 2010

With Grandma visiting the Halloween holiday became a week long celebration of fun events. In Tennessee the schools didn't celebrate Halloween, so you can imagine the shock and excitement that Ryley and Kadyn expressed when their current school announced a Halloween party for everyone. Ryley and her fellow classmates were assigned a report to prepare and offer the same day as the parties. This worked out perfectly since each child was to dress up as the individual they chose to do their report on. Ryley picked Sacajawea and did a fabulous job preparing for and presenting her findings. Both girls had great parties that followed and with Grandma here we were able to switch back and forth, dividing and conquering the day perfectly. We spent the remainder of our week at various parks, feeding ducks, and shopping.

Friday evening came and the kiddos got dressed up for our church trunk or treat. This year we had a flower, 2 witches, and mario. They had food, treats, tons of games, and more candy to fill our kids buckets then even they know what to do with. Steven was scheduled to be out of town so this year we opted out of dressing up. At the last minute however he decided to cancel the interview, and while we didn't have a chance to pull together our costume, we were more than happy to just have Dad with us celebrating Halloween 2010. (We had a really great idea though, so tune in next year to see our best costume yet.) It was a great week surrounded by people we love, and really, it doesn't get better than that!

Counting and trading is half the fun.

Anna and Kadyn

Mitchell and Ryley

Being a younger sibling is the best. You get everything twice!

White To Orange

Thatcher earned his orange belt in Taekwondo last week. He worked really hard, in class and at home, as he prepared for the various moves they would be testing on. Seven other kids tested as well and when his moment came he stood and hit each move with exactness. It was really fun to watch. They awarded their belts immediately after and as an additional gift rewarded each child with a matching head band that had chinese letters imprinted on the front. It's pretty neat looking actually. Thatcher intently watched while four children before him walked to the front, had their white belts changed for orange, then walk to another instructor who tied the head band on. Each child took his or her turn and returned to their seat without saying a word. Thatcher's name got called and this is what followed,

(Thatch walks to front)

Instructor: "Congratulations Thatcher. You did well. Here's your orange belt." (Instructor begins putting on belt)

Thatcher: (at first in a mumble) "I don't want that."

Instructor: (A little confused) "What? No. You worked really hard for this. You deserve your new belt." (continues putting belt on)

Thatcher: "But I don't want it".

Instructor: (Done putting belt on) "But why Thatcher. You did great."

Thatcher: "That thing right there" (points to instructor holding headbands) "I don't want that on my head. Do I have to have that on my head?"

(Instructor and parents begin to laugh)

Instructor: "No Thatcher. You don't have to put that on your head. You can just take it home with you, alright."

Thatcher: (Very happy now) "Alright!"

Oh. That's our boy. Even the coolest chinese head band and the kid does not want it on his head. Ironically, I think he heard the parents giggle (out of cuteness) at the first few kids who received their head bands. I know my boy, and if there's one thing he doesn't like it's when individuals giggle at cute things he does. I believe he made his decision based on that, and yet, got the biggest reaction of all with his own. He quickly ran back to his spot and all was soon forgotten as we headed home with him chattering all the way about his hard work and new orange belt. Good job Thatch!

Kansas City's Kaleidoscope

Steven had an interview in Kansas City this past Monday so we packed the family up and headed off once again for a long weekend with the cousins, which resulted in another great visit. On Friday evening Steven and I headed out with Wendy and Brian to enjoy our first taste of The Cheesecake Factory. It was absolutely delicious.

Saturday was spent at the park in a very competitive game of family kick ball. We all had a fantastic time, although the following day my body was telling me otherwise. I guess I haven't played that competitive in a very long time! I can't believe how many muscles can be sore in one body all at the same time.

Sunday we enjoyed a day of rest and visiting with one another. When Monday arrived the kids and I dropped Steven off for his interview and crossed the street to Crown Center in downtown KC. It was amazing. We had a great day there and spent the entire six hours busily enjoying the mall and Kaleidoscope area. It was filled with art and craft projects of every kind for the kids to make and enjoy. We also had fun touring the Hallmark facility. We got to make bows, learn how they emboss cards, and go on a stamp scavenger hunt that was rewarded with free singing cards for each child. It really was a fantastic adventure.

Fun Run '10

The City of Manhattan held their annual "Fun Run" last Saturday morning. The kids had a great time and did very well in their individual runs. Kadyn and Thatch attempted the half mile while Ryley took on a mile. I believe I had more fun than anyone though. Since I run before the kids wake up I rarely have the opportunity to see them in action. They will frequently go on "pre runs" with Dad before he heads out for a jog, but, until now I had never had the opportunity to see what they are capable of. It was so much fun to watch. It was also a great way to get our morning started with a kick. I'm sure the donuts afterwards helped too!

Thatch was so cute. He was running his little heart out (above) and stopped right before the finish line to watch the clock (below). It was awesome!

Pumpkin Patch '10

Steven has begun the task of interviewing for various fellowships throughout the month of October and thus I was left with an open Friday to entertain as "one". With Fall upon us, and living in a new area, we were excited to venture out in hopes of finding a local pumpkin patch. We didn't have to go far and were pleasantly surprised when we not only found pumpkins, but a large farm with additional kid friendly activities to enhance the experience.

We started in their main market where you get to watch their bees make honey that gets sold fresh from the hive. After walking around back we found a bounce house, petting zoo, and multiple make shift slides. A tractor soon pulled up and took us on a hayride around the farm, then dropped us off in front of a corn maze. We could choose between their easy or very difficult maze. I have four words for you. "Alone with four kids". We of course took the easy route, however, I did preference that if they really wanted to try the difficult path then Dad could come back with them another day. Wasn't that nice of me? After making our way through the maze each kiddo got to pick a pumpkin and the tractor then took us back to the main market. It was a lot of fun, and with the exception of missing Dad, a great day for all.

Terrific Two

Haley Julianna turned the big two this past Friday. To celebrate we barbecued one of her favorite foods (hot dogs), played games, opened presents, and enjoyed cake and ice cream. If I wanted to highlight Haley's true love I should have made a Barney cake, however, I was uncertain of my abilities to pull off a giant purple dinosaur. I resorted to Blue's Clues Cake and was pleased that she seemed really excited to eat a giant blue dog. Really, eating her favorite dinosaur might have been too traumatic, but Blue's place in her heart has not yet been solidified enough to cause her any true anxiety.

Haley J has brought an immeasurable amount of joy to our family. She has a million dollar smile and is our sweetest "trouble maker" yet. Fortunately for her, the million dollar smile frequently pardons her increasingly frequent indiscretions.

Fun With Gelato

We had a fantastic visit to Kansas City last weekend. Friday evening we headed out on a group date to Jack Stack BBQ- Memphis got a run for it's money. We spent Saturday playing every game imaginable, riding horses, and experienced our first taste of gelato. Which was AWESOME! Since Steven was set to teach Sunday we headed for Manhattan that morning. We are so grateful to Wendy, Brian, and their family for having us in their home. We had a great time and were reminded once again how absolutely wonderful it is to have family nearby.