Halloweeeeen!

Waiting can be so hard! Brian had to work at the fire station today and did not get home until about 7:30 pm. We promised that we would wait to go trick-o-treating until Daddy got home and it was a long wait! Nana came over to answer the door while we were out. Ashtyn was a princess, of course, Ryder decided at the last minute to be Diego rather than The Hulk, Chase was a knight, (same as last year), and Pudgy of course! (He stayed at home with Nana during trick-o-treating to hand out candy.)


Here is the gang after their treating. We really weren't sure how Ashtyn would do, last year she stayed home. She kept up with the boys not missing a house. Some of the costumes scared her and she had so much candy in her bag that by the end she was dropping candy as she walked. Chase and Ryder were walking behind her, picking up the candy that got away. We just did our street and that was it, the boys didn't want to go any further. It was very fun being out at night with our little family of 5 trick-o-treating!

The best part is coming home and sorting the candy. Chase and Ryder got to it right away, reminding me of well, me at their age. Ashtyn did as they were and was very happy with herself. The boys were allowed 5 pieces of candy each and were so tired by the time they were through that Ryder put himself to bed and was pretty mad at us when we insisted that he wake up and brush his teeth after eating all of that candy.

Fall Festival

Today was Ryder's Fall Festival (Halloween party) at school. I helped to plan the party, (along with another mom, Erin), and if I do say so myself it was a lot of fun. The kids really enjoyed themselves and looked so cute all dressed up. Ryder's teachers had some pretty great costumes too!

One of the duties of being Super Star is to be the line leader. After our party was over the big Kindergartners did a costume parade and showed off to the preschoolers, very cute. Ryder -or I mean The Hulk was at the front of the line waiting for the parade to start.

Diego, the next generation

Following in her brother's footsteps...

Pudgy and the Super Star!

Ryder was the "Super Star" this week at school. Everyone gets a turn to be super star and at the end of the week they take home either, Bailey, (a stuffed dog, which apparently most kids like), or Pudgy, (a porcupine, we think), for the weekend. Ryder lucked out and we got Pudgy for Halloween!


Pudgy came for the weekend prepared, he had a little travel bag and in his bag was a food/water dish, and a blanket. He also had a journal for us to document his fun and exciting weekend.


Ryder was very responsible and made sure that Pudgy was tucked in at night with him and even read to him.


Pretzel, (Ryder's favorite stuffed bear), let Pudgy borrow some PJ's to sleep in.


Pudgy even came with us to visit Great Grandma and Great-Great Grandma.


Pudgy and the boys helped me to make a special Halloween cake. I wonder who Pudgy will go home with next?

Happy Birthday, Liz!!

Tonight while everyone was home with Daddy watching the game, I had a rare and much needed night out with the girls. We got together to celebrate Liz's birthday, but I am sure that everyone could agree that the time away from our respective families was much needed and the girl talk was very therapeutic.


I had to take a picture of my cake, I think that this is my best variation of the dirt cake. A few of the girls even thought it was a decoration, not cake.

The Fans are ready...

Too bad that the Huskies had a disappointing loss, because the gang looked so cute.

The Pumpkin Farm

Our annual trip to the pumpkin patch with school, I can't believe that this is our 5th year going to the same pumpkin patch. The weather did not cooperate, but I think that this was the first time it had rained throughout the years. Needless to say we didn't stay long, but before we left I snapped a few pictures. Here is Ryder with his friend, Evan. The shirts they are wearing were made at school just for this occasion. Evan's dad drives a "monster truck", which Ryder is really into right now. (To Ryder it seems like a monster truck, but it's not really a monster truck). Ryder has been lucky enough to ride in it a few times!! Ashtyn declined to be photographed, what a princess!

Liz and Evan a little rain-soaked.

No school

No school today, very nice for everyone. It has been hard for me to get everyone up, dressed, fed, make lunches, and out the door on time. As you can see by the time on the clock we are all still in our pajamas at 10:30. I was in the process of making the bed, (that's why the comforter was on the floor), just leave it to them to play in the covers when I was out of the room. All three of them knew they were being cute and requested their picture taken. Just look at those big smiles.

Pumpkin Time

Grandma is in town and she brought the kids some fun pumpkin decorations. Here they are with their creations. This is so much better than having to carve the pumpkins. I usually end up doing all the work because Chase and Ryder don't like to touch the inside.