Happy Halloween!

2017 has to have been one of our best Halloweens yet. We had so much fun!

The kids started to get into the Halloween mindset months before the big day, but we really started looking forward to it in the couple of weeks before.

Dax and I were both home for the Education Minnesota teacher's conference mid-October so we found some special activities to do. We spent most of the time outside as it was in the midst of a short fall heat-wave, but we also created some Halloween crafts.

The weekend before Halloween was packed with special festivities. Friday night we dressed up and went to Dax's school for a Trunk or Treat event. It was very well done and, while Addy avoided most of the games, both kids enjoyed seeing lots of other kids in costumes and came home thrilled to have collected some candy.

On Saturday we dressed up again and went early trick or treating at Gma Amy's...

 

Picking out Christmas gift ideas to share with Gma

and Grandma Caren and Grandpa Phil's.

That evening our neighborhood gathered for a Halloween party. It was so fun to socialize with the neighbors and pure joy to see Dax running around with his buddies. Addy (and the rest of us!) were freezing so we headed out early, but enjoyed the time we spent there.

On Sunday we stayed in, but continued the celebrating by carving pumpkins. Addy was very particular about how she painted hers and Dax was happy to both draw a face for us to carve and stick a face on the back with some of his new stickers from Gma. We finished Addy's once it dried and carved a baby face in honor of her most favorite thing in the entire world.

When the big day finally came, the kids were ready. We had dinner with several of our neighbors and their kids and everyone had a great time. Good food, good friends, and anticipating trick-or-treating - what more could you ask for? We didn't get any photos with friends, but ended the night happy and full of sugar after visiting lots of houses in the neighborhood. We had twice as many kids come to our door than in our old neighborhood and the overall energy was great. Everyone ended the night happy and full of sugar.

Thanks for Trick-or-Treating with us Uncle Sam!

It was a great Halloween!

Out of the mouths of babes

Our kids are hilarious. I am so grateful to be able to spend many of my days with the two sweetest, silliest, most interesting people I know and I am regularly laughing with (and sometimes at) them. Jake periodically gets updates at work of moments that especially crack me up. As I was clearing out some old texts in my phone I came across a history of the past few months and laughed just as much as I did in these moments. I couldn't bring myself to delete them without documenting these special conversations. I hope they bring you as much joy as they bring me.

**It is pretty Addy heavy since Dax is back to school and spends less time at home, but he has a few gems thrown in as well. :)

Dax: Addy, are you scared of anything?
Addy: No, I can save the world!
Dax: Tell me what you're scared of!
Addy: I'm scared of clowns and witches.

Addy was eating a banana like a monkey. She was pushing the peel back up to cover the sides and I asked what she was doing. Her response, "I don't want it to be cold!"

Addy (whispering): We need to be quiet because Daddy is sleeping!
Me: No, he's at work.
Addy: Is he sleeping at work?

Addy: Knock knock!
Me: Who's there?
Addy: Cow
Me: Cow who?
Addy: I'm glad I didn't say banana!

Dax farted while Addy was ordering breakfast and her request came out, "mixed toot" instead of mixed fruit. Lots of giggles over here!

Addy (while eating lunch): Mommy, one of the Alexa prayers says feed all the hungry ones, but you are not feeding me!

Addy (while playing with a toy zoo): Do you want to see the horse?
Me: What kind of horse is it?
Addy: It's a 'llenium falcon one!

Dax still think Batman's password to get into the bat cave is "Ironman socks"

Addy just licked my cheek because we're cows and apparently that's how they kiss.

After singing I'm a Little Teapot together-
Addy: Tip me over and whore me out?!
Me: No, pour!
Addy: Oh, I thought you said whore me out.

If only I could document every moment with these two. Life is SO good!

Fall is here!

We LOVE fall! Cooler weather, apples, pumpkins, fall festivals and events. What's not to love? Though the start of school seems to have also brought a significant lack of time, we've somehow managed to find time to enjoy this incredible season.

We started with our tradition of attending St. Bonaventure's Fall Festival in Bloomington. It was a beautiful day and the kids had a blast!

Our church, Christus Victor, also had carnival this year to celebrate it's 50th anniversary. There were lots of people there and we all had a great time!

We also visited Applewood Orchard to enjoy picking some of our own apples. We loved the family time and have been really enjoying the apples.

Dax's school had a fall fundraiser in which the students walked around a nearby lake and invited friends and family to sponsor them. Dax had so much fun and Penny and Adelaide were able to join the class for the event.

In addition to that special event, both kids have been having a great fall with Penny. Addy loves spending her time with Penny while Dax is at school and they all went to the zoo when Dax had a day off. We are so thankful that they are so well cared for while we are at work!

We couldn't let the fall pass by without a visit to Sever's Corn Maze. It is such a fun tradition and the kids love all of the activities that are available.

Amidst all of this fun, Dax has been playing soccer and impresses us with his energy and joy throughout every game. He's had extra fans at almost every practice/game and we feel so blessed by how many people love and support our kids.

And, I just can't resist sharing a string of Dax selfies. Man I love this kid.