Halloween 2013!

This year we actually decorated for Halloween.  I'm ashamed to say that we haven't decorated the ENTIRE time we've been in Manhattan (I'm going to blame vet school....) The kids had a blast...especially when they got to throw spider rings at the cobwebs!

Allison and Brett both changed their minds at LEAST a hundred times as to what they wanted to be this year.  Fortunately, we had plenty of options in the dress-up stuff.  

Final choices:  Rapunzel and Sorcerer Mickey :)

Someday when we leave Manhattan, this is something I will truly, truly miss.  The world is a beautiful place!

This year, they also got to go to a school Halloween party.  This was great because Cole was still off of work, and we got to go on a breakfast date to a place called The Chef (very yummy food).  It was a good thing Allison and Brett got to go to a school party, because we had to be responsible parents and follow-through with a ..."if you don't start behaving, we won't go to the church Trunk-or-Treat."  I don't know who was more upset about this, us or the kiddos....at least they got to go Trick-or Treating for the first time around our neighborhood. 

Playing Catch Up- August 2013 Northview Pool

While Cole was gone, we did anything and everything to pass the time.  We were able to go to a pool near our home one day.  It wasn't the most successful swimming trip of my life, and let's just say I won't be taking my kids swimming by myself for a VERY LONG TIME.  At least they were wearing life jackets (1 point for mom).  Brett, being the quick little devil he is, took off in a matter of seconds to the big slide he had been eying the whole time we were there.  Me being the calm and rational mother I am..... FLIPPED out because I couldn't find him.  I know it was just a matter of a couple of minutes, before I spotted him...but it felt like HOURS.  I was just sure I was going to have to tell Cole I lost our son.  When I found him, he had been trying to convince the life guard he was big enough to go down the "big slide."  I got a few grays hairs during this episode and lost a few years on my life.  I suppose it all ended ok, but I'm now even more paranoid than I was before (GREAT!!!)  

Another special Visit

We were blessed to have LOTS of visitors while Cole was away for three months.  Grandma Piggy and Grandpa Tex came first, then the Smiths, then the Lambsons, and then Grandma Dolly.  Before Aunt Kaysha came, I told the kiddos I had a special surprise for them at the airport.  They were very surprised when Aunt Kaysha came off the plane.  We had loads of fun, and even more fun when Uncle Kaelan came!

At the zoo

At the donut shop

At the park...crazy Tink going down the slide

Kaysha and Abbie trying to go down the slide

Tink stole the pink frisbee from Abbie and victoriously carried it around ...the WHOLE time at the park

Uncle Kaelan defeated by the minions

At the lake :)  

Aunt kaysha consoling poor, cold Bretty

Abbie claiming the frisbee.  Crazy dog had difficulty swimming at first.  I've never seen anything like it....she was almost completing vertical in the water slapping it with her paws...HAHAHAHAHA

A special visit

Trying to play blog catch-up here.  Way back in August while Cole was gone...we had a special visit from Aunt Denise, Uncle Jerrod, Abby and Beau!  Uncle Jerrod slept in the basement (since he drove all night to get to Manhattan), and our job was to go play with Aunt Denise and the kiddos so he could get some rest (TERRIBLE JOB...hahaha).  We had so much fun!  We went to the zoo, played at the splash pad, grabbed donuts from Varsity donuts, and played at McDonald's.  We were so glad they got to stop on their way to Ohio!

At the Sunset Zoo

Discovery Center Splash Pad

 My little fish

Passing the time....Varsity donuts (October 2013...daddy is ALMOST HOME)

Ok...so Allison LOVEs donuts...and given the opportunity she will eat several.  We LOVE varsity donuts, and it was a place we frequently visited while Cole was gone.....

Fun times at Tuttle Creek

Our first trip to Tuttle Creek was a success.  Thanks to our great friends the Sieg family and their super speedy rowing skills, we captured this lovely picture:

Tinkerbell DID start out on the back of the kayak...but she jumped in...and I pulled her back on, and THIS is where she rested her weary furry butt.  She cried most of the way back...come to find out she REALLY needed to poop :)