Prepping for Halloween

The boys are getting very excited about Halloween. We've been enjoying lots of Halloween activities and shows. They are very ready to put on their costumes and start trick-or-treating.

The boys are in charge of our family jack-o-lantern. Caden and Cole decide on the design, and Curt sketches it out for final approval and then carves. I'm on photo, clean-up, and pumpkin seed duty.

Scooping out the pumpkin guts and loving that they have permission to get sticky and messy


When Curt came home from work, he wondered why the boys had on swim trunks. I don't even ask for an explanation anymore, as long as everyone is happy. While they were playing, I overheard that they were on a trip to the beach, which clearly requires a costume change to get into character.

Jack-o-Lantern 2009

Today is Caden's fall party at school. Before their party begins, the kindergarteners will have a pumpkin parade. Here is the pumpkin that Caden designed. He needed help cutting out his mouth and drawing the correct size of raindrop eyes, but he is responsible for the rest. He was quite proud (shows in his true, not posed, smile) of how his pumpkin turned out.

Now for a trip down memory lane...Caden's pumpkin costume assignment reminded me of the last time he dressed as a pumpkin, five years ago. Wow! How time flies!

Happy Halloween!

ZooBoo!

On Sunday, Nana, Papa, and I took the boys to ZooBoo. We left a post-call, under-the-weather Curt at home. The zoo's Halloween event includes decorations around the zoo, trick-or-treating around the Plains area, a backward carousel ride, special animal shows, and other fun activities.

I was attempting to get a picture of Darth Vader and Spiderman in front of the ZooBoo pumpkin, but Cole couldn't decide if he wanted his mask on or off and a line was forming behind us...We moved on.

Our Spidey and Vader

Cole pumpkin bowling

Caden was proud that he made it through the straw maze.

Cole LOVED the straw maze!

Back through the maze again

While Cole was going in and out of the maze, Caden played, "Guess What Animal Part." He wasn't quite sure about sticking his hand in at first, but the zookeeper assured him that nothing was alive.

Papa, Nana, and the boys after one of the not-so-scary animal shows

I was glad to have Papa along as he was willing to take Caden on the rollercoaster and VERY bumpy 3-D ride. We finished the day on a backward carousel ride. Such a fun afternoon at the zoo! The boys were thrilled to wear their costumes. We're already looking forward to Christmas at the Zoo!

Visit from the Wynn Family

A couple weekends ago, we enjoyed a visit from the Wynn family. Curt and Brandon were radiology residents together, and Jess and I (and our kids) have become great friends. We spent Saturday at the Children's Museum. Before making it all the way into the museum, we toured the Tomb of Doom, a kid-friendly haunted house during daylight hours. The kids were very brave and had so much fun. Unfortunately, I couldn't take photos in this area.

Brady and Caden digging for dinosaur bones

Cole decided that he needed a bath. He was a bit under the weather over that weekend, losing a battle with an ear infection, but he was a trooper.

Cole and Brady posing on the sphinxes

We were happily surprised that the Star Wars exhibit was extended through January. The kids asked for pictures with several characters. Here are Brady, Caden, Cole, & Ali with Captain Rex.

The kids with R2-D2 and Yoda

The boys with Anakin and Ahsoka

After wearing ourselves out at the museum, we ordered in pizza, and the kids played with their new spy gear while the grown-ups relaxed. Later, the kiddos settled down with popcorn and Ice Age 2, while the dads competed on the Wii and the moms chatted.

We had a fantastic time!!!

End of the Soccer Season

Caden finished up another fun soccer season a few weeks ago. Here is a picture of his team with the assistant coach.

The assistant coach congratulating Caden on a great season

He received a trophy and a Bible.

Just a few random shots from a couple weeks ago...

Nana and the boys with their haunted house creation

Cole and Caden vegging in front of the TV after a busy day of school. The red patch on Caden's cheek is poison ivy that he probably picked up while hunting for leaves for his class project.

Caden reading to Cole--This is a becoming a favorite and more regular pasttime for the boys.

Heartland Apple Festival

Last Sunday, we spent a beautiful fall afternoon at Beasley's Orchard for the Heartland Apple Festival.

Caden and Cole listening to some bluegrass music
The boys checking out the corn in the corn maze, a first for our family

Making our way to the next checkpoint

At the beginning of the corn maze, we were given choices for which path to take through the maze. We chose the one designed for young kids, so the boys could answer the fall/Halloween questions. Here is Caden reading one of the checkpoint questions to us.

We made it through the maze!

Here is a picture of their picture of the corn maze, named Beasley's Big Top 2009 A Cornival of Fun. It is pretty amazing! Our set of questions did not take us through the entire maze.

Curt and the boys on a hayride to the pumpkin patch

We found a good pumpkin for our jack-o-lantern, and both boys wanted baby pumpkins.

Cole is very happy with his choice!

After finding our pumpkins, the boys played a couple games and we enjoyed some tasty treats. The apple dumplings were delicious!

Caden's Kindergarten Field Trip to Anderson Orchard

Last week, Caden's kindergarten class took a field trip to Anderson Orchard. Thanks to the school's extended care/day care program for Cole, I was able to go along too. Mrs. Cronauer planned a fun outing that was supposed to include a full orchard tour, cider, apple picking, and lunch by the pond. Unfortunately, rain showers cut the field trip short. During the first rain shower, the class took a tour of the sorting and storing areas and learned about the machines used to make apple cider. We also were able to sample their delicious apple cider.

Here are Caden and Joel waiting for their cider. All of the kindergarteners are wearing a yellow field trip shirt with the entire class' self-portraits on the front. Before starting the school year, all of the kids met with Mrs. Cronauer for assessments and to draw a self-portrait to be placed on their field trip shirt. The faces are so cute. (Maybe I'll get a closer picture on the next field trip.)

When the rain stopped, we braved the apple orchard to pick apples.

While happily picking Jonathan and Golden Delicious apples, the rain decided to start again. It poured! I was reminded how miserable wet jeans are. Caden and I got soaked, but he continued to fill his apple bag for as long as he could stand before seeking shelter.

Caden sampling one of his picks

Lauren, Caden, and Drew did not seem too bothered by the rain and very wet clothes.

After sampling some of our picks and waiting out the rain for a bit, Mrs. Cronauer made the call to head back to school early. We took the kids on a driving tour past the nut trees, berry bushes, and pumpkin patches, and then we took the kids back to school to eat lunch and finish their day. Despite the rain (a first in Mrs. Cronauer's career as a teacher), Caden had a great time on his first kindergarten field trip. Caden's next field trip will be to a fire station next week.