Awesome October: Halloween

Since moving to WI the kids have chosen their own costumes and we've put together their versions of them. A few thrift store purchases, some things we already own, a little imagination, and some sewing skills and this is what you get. Hans as a knight, Lydia as a green princess, Evan as a bat. While out trick-or-treating they noticed many other kids costumes and remarked, "Mom, some kids don't even get to make their costumes. They just have to buy them." Made me smile.
Also, while trick-or-treating we saw the coolest decorated house in Oshkosh. Nathan has a coworker who goes a bit over the top for Halloween. This is actually the front of their house completely made over to look like a castle. It does help that he owns a sound and light/DJ business.

Awesome October: G&G Smiths' house with two aunts & a cousin

Rub-a-dub-dub! Girl cousins in the tub!

You've gotta dance like nobody's watching.

A little cousin bonding time.

We also visited the Smiths for a little bit of silliness and fun. The kids and I played with Kristi and Naomi who also were visiting. Nathan joined us for the weekend. He and Kevin spent some time taking apart their recently kaput van and putting various pieces of it onto ours. I had no formal pictures of the entire trip but just random snapshots of silly kids.

Awesome October: Science Musuem of Minnesota

The kids had a week off in October so we took advantage and hit the road. Our first stop was my parents house.  While there we went exploring at the Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM) with my parents, sister-in-law Holly, and cousins Ethan and Hannah.  As a child the SMM was a favorite field trip destination of mine.  It was a trip down memory lane to get to take the kids.  It was funny though, that the location had moved some eleven years ago and I didn't know it.  We spent the day playing and learning with some serious hands on exploration.  We look forward to visiting again sometime.

Awesome October: Meeting Jacob

Naomi playing in the kiddie pool at the hotel.

Evan says hi.

Hans takes a ride.

Three tired kids.

Evan was excited to have his turn with Jacob.

Safe in Hans' arms.

Getting some loving from Lydia.

Uncle Nathan getting a little snuggle time. 

All of us.

The Smith family all gathered together the end of October to meet the newest member, Jacob. This was exciting for more the the usual reasons. First, Michael and Tammy had been told the previous year that it'd be nearly impossible for them to have children naturally. God showed he had other plans for them and blessed them with their son. Second, it was the first time ALL of the Smiths (2 parents, 6 original kids, 3 spouses, and 5 grandkids) had been together since Michael and Tammy's wedding. Blessings abound!

What a precious Child of God.

Spirit Day

Blue and White Day during Spirit Week

Evan won "KING" of the day. Here he is tired, faded, hair stiff, but oh, so happy.

Awesome October: Door County Camping

The setting sun just above the horizon.

October was just as activity filled as September. We decided to try our hand at fall camping this year. Although we don't live far from the popular Door County we hadn't visited since moving to WI two years ago. After some research we decided to try Peninsula State Park for our first destination. We couldn't have asked for a better weekend as far as weather, upper 60s in mid October, and the leaves were at perfect peak color. The park, actually the entire peninsula, was busier than we'd prefer but we just hiked the difficult trails to avoid the crowds. Another exciting feature on this trip was that Joanna joined us What she lacks in camping experience she makes up for in enthusiasm. After just two days of camping with us she's willing to give more camping a try Success! Next summer we'll have to do some more Door County exploring.

Sinking below the horizon as the gulls gather.

My version of a post card. I played with a new photo editing program.

We watched the sun set on Green Bay. What a masterpiece God painted for us!