Sunday Best

It's not always easy to keep your kids in their church clothes... they usually strip some of them off in the car on the way home! Actually, this was when we were at my sisters home in Tennessee and I wasn't feeling well so Avery went to church while Austin and Addie stayed home with me. But I went ahead and put them in their church clothes for a few pictures!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Halloween is such a fun holiday! Believe it or not, but I really don't care about the candy. In fact I tried to get the kids to give their candy away to trick-or-treaters (it didn't go over so well). But just getting the kids dressed up is such a blast! Addison was a monkey this year... I think it was a pretty good fit! She is our little monkey!

Avery was Elasta-Girl this year. Actually, she is supposed to be Violet but she was very concerned about her hair not being brown... so we went with Elasta-Girl. Every time we got her dressed up it took me so long to convince her that she looked cute because she was embarrassed about the "black underwear" being up too high!

Second time and counting as Spider-Man! Maybe we will get another year out of this costume- who knows! Austin's been hooked on Spider-Man for some time now! He still tries to wear this costume as pajamas but it never fails that he comes back after a few hours and wants it off because he gets too hot. So he settles for sleeping in Spider-Man underwear... he's all boy!

Downtown Street Party

Every year we have a Downtown Street Party. Randy has been one of the people in charge of this particular party for the past few years- so of course we go and have a great time! Avery (Elasta Girl) had an especially good time! She turned in a drawing and it won 2nd place in her age group!

Austin (Spider-Man) also had a great time! He enjoyed the games the best... but he also thought it was super cool that they had a ship that shot out candy from its cannon!

And then there's Addie, our little monkey! She was just trying to take everything in! But as long as she had a sucker in her hand she was as happy as could be!

Pumpkin Patch Day

No Halloween is complete without a trip out to the Pumpkin Patch!! It has become a tradition in our family... and the kids know excactly where they are supposed to be posing! This year Avery hurried over to each picture location and had me take a picture so she could then go off and play. Smart girl!

Here are Austin, Avery and Addison on the hay ride out to find the best pumpkin ever! Addie held on to me very tight through the whole ride. Luckily I took this picture before we started going.

Looks like we found our pumpkin!! Addie was testing it out to make sure it could stand the likes of her!! I think it passed!

Speechless....

Yes, you are reading Addie's shirt right... even though I'm still in disbelief myself!! I always thought 3 was my lucky number. It was my number in soccer, it was how many kids I wanted... but I guess the Lord is letting me know that I don't always know the BIG plan.

Randy was the one that kept after me to get a pregnancy test. I kept saying no, there's no way... so he went himself and picked one up. I couldn't believe when it came back positive! Our reactions at the time were different, but we are both excited! Avery wants a girl, Austin wants a boy... but Randy and I are praying for a healthy mom (I always get really sick) and healthy baby!! Keep us in your prayers!!

Avery's tooth

So our last night in Kansas was exciting. My sister is in dental hygiene school and we let her practice on our teeth! The kids actually asked her to clean their teeth. Avery has had a loose tooth for a long time and agreed to let Sara pull it.

Now all Avery wants for Christmas are her two front teeth!!

Here is our stud, Austin. He wanted me to take a picture of him... I think he thought Avery was getting too much attention! That night they built a tent to sleep in. Avery was the only one brave enough to stay all night! And somehow the tooth fairy still found her and her tooth!

Mika's Cheering Section

My niece, Mika, had a soccer game while we were up there. Avery and Austin were more than excited to watch her play. Luckily the weather cleared up and it was a beautiful day.

Addie is more than used to the soccer scene. I think she was a little thirsty. This bottle entertained her and helped us keep her off the field!

Mika was very glad that the kids came to watch her play... here she is showing her love to Avery!