Trick or Treat

The kids had a great time trick or treating, Dad took the first half and Mom the second. Camden napped the whole time we were gone and missed out on dressing up this year. Oh well, plenty more years to come and he was festively dressed in a Halloween shirt all day.
Parker and Iris' friend Nora from school who lives one block away came and went trick or treating with us.

Gabe's Preschool Halloween Party

As cute as cute can be a bunch of 3 year olds doing a costume parade and singing Halloween songs.

Haunted House Decorating and Pumpkin Carving

We had a fun weekend getting ready for Halloween, on Saturday we decorated our Haunted House and on Sunday we carved our pumpkins. We are definitely ready for Trick or Treating...more pictures to come!

Go Bananas

I bought a Groupon for Go Bananas, an indoor arcade with rides, and they have gone bananas for the roller coaster which I think they have ridden more than 25 times. They've also had fun playing the games, winning tickets, riding a couple other rides and eating pizza and cotton candy.
We had a great weekend with Dad too. On Saturday we went to a fundraiser for our friend Tommy, who has leukemia. Sunday was fun too with a family hike at Graue Mill.
Lots of playing on the long weekend off of school!

Day at the Zoo

A bit cold at 50 so we found lots of things to do inside, indoor exhibits, dolphin show and our ever favorite Children's play zoo, complete with face painting, pretend vet, plant watering and much more.

Our day at the Museum of Science and Industry

The kids have a 5 day weekend so we are trying to keep ourselves busy. We all enjoyed ourselves at the Museum and time went so quickly. We saw an IMAX movie called born to be wild about orphan elephants and orangutans and 2 women who have been rescuing them for 30 years and raising them and returning them to the wild, it was a great movie. Then we explored the space exhibit, children's play area, did the Coal Mining experience exhibit and finally a quick run through science storms and standing in the tornado vortex. There wasn't too many people there so that made the trip even better. The kids were telling me on the way out all the things we missed doing on this trip.

Dad's New Wheels

Everyone is excited about Dad's new car, I think Dad might be the most :). Finally Daddy gets a car that doesn't smell like old sour milk and who knows what else..... Everyone is excited about their first ride.

Afternoon playdate

Gabe and Camden are having fun with their friends Joel and Max at Little Monkey Bizness. Gabe's running non-stop. Hopefully this means an early bedtime, last night it was 10pm!

Gabe and Tia's first day of school

Tia had a half day on Monday and Tuesday, today is her first full day. She is excited to make new friends. Gabe got to go with Mommy yesterday and see his classroom, make a name tag and meet his new friends. This morning he woke up ready for school, he will be sad it is only twice a week. Mom's got lots of other activities to keep him busy, gymnastics, Little Lambs and bitty sports classes.

First Day of School and Parker's Birthday

Parker and Iris had a great first day of school. They are very excited at beginning 2nd grade.
Parker celebrates his 8th birthday with an early morning, presents and King Cake.

Zoo Trip on Saturday

While Daddy was away with friends we took some time to have fun too. The kids enjoyed our trip to the zoo, the dolphin show and playing pet vet, zookeeper, face painting and more at the Family Play Zoo.
Parker helped release 4500 ladybugs too. Gabe got some but kept freaking out when they got on his hand and throwing them on the ground (supposed to go in the trees so they don't get stepped on). We also had fun checking our wing span at the Bald Eagle exhibit.

Last day at the beach before school starts

The kids are loving the sand and swimming in Lake Michigan. It's a beautiful day for the beach! School starts in 5 days. I'm not sure whose more excited for school to start, Mom or everyone else. Even Gabe keeps getting his backpack on and saying, 'I go to school'. I think we're all ready for a change in routine.

Gabe's 3rd Birthday

We celebrated with Daddy a day early. He had a great birthday, presents, cake and a movie out with a big bucket of popcorn and a cherry icee.

American Girl Doll birthday celebration

Grandma and Grandpa H came for a visit and the girls had a special girls only morning with breakfast at American Girl. They each got to bring a friend and pick out a doll from their birthday. To top it off we all went bowling in the afternoon and then to the drive-in to see Brave. What a fabulous way to start off the 6 weeks of birthday celebrations.

The Birthday Boy, Camden's 1st Birthday

Camden really enjoyed his cake, he wanted that more than the presents and got mad when I took it away. He is taking more and more steps by himself everyday and will soon be running with the rest of the crazies.

The kids got a new surf slide from Uncle Tom and Aunt Judy, it is a huge hit!!!

Myrtle Beach

Last night we went for dinner and walked to the Boardwalk to find a restaurant, the walk was an unexpected 3 miles! We enjoyed dinner and afterwards at the park next to the restaurant they had music, a big slide and face painting. The kids enjoyed it. On the walk back they were all quite loud with their complaints, Cam and Gabe were both crying. We even figured out a way for everyone to ride on the stroller. Needless to say everyone moved out of the way and stared as we passed.
Today we are enjoying some time at the beach.