Trick or Treat!

Halloween is so much fun. It brings back so many wonderful memories from my childhood. Eating Arby's, collecting candy in pillowcases, dressing up in fun costumes...sigh...

And so, the traditions continue with my kids. :)

CANDY! Quick - let's get to the next house!

A very excited zoo keeper

Kamryn (the giraffe to the left of the zoo keeper) and our kiddos

All three kids did a great job saying, "Trick or treat!" and "Thank you!" at every house. Mallory said, "Watch your step!" every time she walked down the step on someone's porch - LOL!

3 very happy trick-or-treaters

Mommy, the lion, and the zoo keeper

Daddy, the lion, and the zoo keeper

What a fun time! We can't wait until next year! I got excellent clearance prices on the kids' costumes for next year!

- becky

Have a Six Flags Day!

The four of us visited Six Flags Mid America in Eureka, MO at the end of July. We had a Six Flags Day for sure! I have not been to this Six Flags park since I was a kid. Having grown up in Missouri, this is the park that my parents took my sister and me to. It was really cool to see how it had changed, while some things that I remembered were still around.

Daddy and Isaiah

Ride the train!

As you can tell, it was so incredibly hot that day! We all enjoyed our very own souvenir bottles with free refills all day. Each of the kids drank over 32 ounces of water, so we stayed plenty hydrated. The amusement park side was not crowded at all! Everyone was on the other side of the park in the wave pool.

Isaiah absolutely LOVED riding the airplanes in the kids' area. He insisted on riding several times.

- becky

Happy Halloween!

How fun for Halloween to fall on a Saturday this year! The kids enjoyed Trunk or Treat at church this afternoon. It was really cold and windy, but we did our best to dress for the weather.

Isaiah was supposed to be a train engineer, but we couldn't find an engineer's hat. So train engineer or farmer - whichever works for us. Costumes are ridiculously expensive, so we went practical - overalls and a flannel shirt. He can wear those again! Mallory's duck costume was borrowed from my friend Lynette's little boy, James. She was definitely warm enough!

Isaiah and Mallory with our friend Kamryn - the cutest little chicken ever!

After Trunk or Treat, we took a ride over the new College Ave bridge. It's finally open! Police had blocked off part of College Ave near the Paper Valley. Our best guess is that the Minnesota Brett Favre's arrived in town for the big game tomorrow. (The Packers opponent always stays at the Paper Valley in Appleton.)

Not to break tradition, Tim and I ate Arby's for lunch. Tim is such a good sport. I know it's a strange tradition from my childhood, but it's tradition, nonetheless!

It was so cold outside that I almost didn't want to take the kids out trick-or-treating. Isaiah kept saying, "Trick or treat!" as he was looking out the window, so we had to go to just a few houses. He did so well! It was so neat to hear him say, "Trick or treat!" and "Thank you!" when he got treats for Mommy and Daddy to enjoy.

Happy Halloween!

- becky

Sibling Love

"Mallory! Sister!"

"Hey! Come back here!"

We just got back from church. Ah...church with two little ones. Mom and Dad, did Jenny and I have tons of energy in church when we were little? I have memories of playing with hot wheels. I have memories of sitting on the kneeler and eating Cheerios. I also remember our trips to Schnucks or Jack in the Box afterwards! Then there's the time Dad yelled at me on our way to Jack in the Box for saying crap. HAHAHA It could have been worse, I suppose!

I do have memories of the church services, too. I didn't just play in church; I did pay attention. I can even remember by first communion and confirmation, though I couldn't tell you much about my Baptism. Perhaps because I was just a few weeks old. ;-)

Today is a busy day. We're going to a graduation party for one of the seniors from church. Tim and I are going out on a date tonight! Barb is coming to baby-sit, and we're going to dinner and in search of running shoes. Isn't that romantic?!?! hahaha

- becky

The Great Indoors

Since it is so cold outside, we are not really into the outdoors right now. (Though it is warming up this week - temperature highs will be between 36-40 all week!) Carrying on tradition from my childhood, is the great indoor tent!

Future Boy Scout?

Ah, yes. I remember the days so clearly. Jenny and I would build these awesome tents while Mom and Dad were at work. Of course, we had the help of our very good friends Laura and John from across the street. We could never admit this to our parents, though, because Laura and John weren't supposed to be in the house when we were home alone. Oh, dear. Things like this are going to come back and bite me as Isaiah grows up, aren't they? I'll just have to remember to keep him away from cookie dough and firecrackers. Snickerdoodle dough makes great "cookie-crackers" in the middle of the street...

- becky