Trick or Treat

It is fun to watch Nicole get excited about every little thing especially because her excitement tends to rub off on her brothers. Nicole and Nolan went trick or treating last night (they won't do Halloween on Friday around here because they don't want to conflict with Friday night football) and had a blast. Mom stayed home with Parker (who wouldn't put his costume on) and Maris to hand out candy. Nicole was an angel (her idea), Nolan was superman (Nicole's idea) and Maris was a horse (a leftover costume from Parker). All in all we had a fun night and by having Halloween yesterday we were able to host a small party for some neighbors tonight.

About seven or eight families joined us for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. It was a beautiful night for a party. After the sun went down the temperature dropped to about 55 degrees, perfect for a fire. All of the kids played on our play set but their favorite activity was climbing our dirt hill and sliding back down. It is amazing how dirt can be so attractive to kids.

"I Want Some Bananas"

On Fridays Nolan does not go to preschool, so I normally stay at home and do laundry because I try to avoid taking three or more kids to the store unless absolutely necessary. Yesterday Nicole got on the bus at noon and Nolan started asking to go shopping with me. Of course that wasn't in my plan. Unfortunately when Nolan wants something he doesn't let up until we distract him or he gets what he wants. After about an hour I was able to redirect his attention away from a shopping expedition. Shortly after that he came to find me in my room to ask for a banana, which I thought was a reasonable request considering that the only food items that he ever asks for are milk and chocolate. Wouldn't you know it, we were all out of bananas. I may have given in and went to the store right then but by then Maris and Parker were both down for naps which they needed desperately (Maris had had an explosive diaper at 1 am and Parker was throwing up at 3 am). I tried to reason with Nolan that we would go get bananas when Matt got home. So for the rest of the day I had to keep telling him that we would get bananas when daddy got home. Finally at 6:45 Matt got home. After eating dinner Nolan, Parker and I went to Walmart to get some banana's. Parker had to come because he saw us getting our shoes on. After all the we finally got Nolan his banana's which he ate on the way home.

I have to say that Nolan's interest in shopping is a new thing. Normally anytime I pull into a parking lot to go into a store he is in tears. However that last time I took him with me to Home Depot (one of my favorite stores) he was intrigued by the Christmas decorations so I let him pick one out (a snow man that hangs over a door handle). It is good that he is getting over his fear of shopping, but I hope that he doesn't think that he gets a Christmas decoration every time we go to the store.

Picture Time

Just thought that I would share some pictures.

Nicole with Maris. Nicole makes a great second mom to her brothers and sister.

Nolan, not sure if he wants to smile.

Parker, with his first tie. Believe it or not, the tie actually stayed on until we got home from church.


Maris is now 5 1/2 months old. She loves sitting in her exersaucer. She grabs everything and puts it in her mouth. She is slowly starting to eat some baby food. Her favorite so far is rice cereal with peaches. She has a great smile and is typically a very happy baby.

I left Matt with the kids today while I went and did a little shopping. He spent the afternoon helping the kids set up their Geotrax train and they played with it almost the entire time that I was gone.

Pumpkin Time

Last week we went to the pumpkin patch to pick out our pumpkins for Halloween. Nicole has been very excited about decorating and planning her costume for the big day. I still don't know exactly what she wants to be, she started with an angel and then it was a ladybug and now she is saying that she wants to be a princes. I think that I will give her another week before the final decision. I am voting for the ladybug because grandma gave us that costume two years ago. I have to say that I don't get really excited about Halloween but I just love the Fall. All of the fall colors and that brisk feeling in the air are just magic to me.





Maris was more interested in the passing cars.

National Parks

As most of you know, Matt and I have a goal to visit all of the National Parks. So far we have visited 29 of 57. Here are some pictures of the parks that we have visited (since we got a digital camera in 2003). We will be adding one more park this year when Matt and I visit Virgin Islands NP in November. We try to take the kids with us when we can but they will not be accompanying us on the trip.