Weekend in KC

We decided to get away for the weekend, so we headed down to visit my aunt, uncle and cousin...Julie, Steve and Nick:) We are so glad we did, because we had such a blast visiting with them...we got some Christmas shopping done, and got to visit and have a great time with them...We got there on Friday night around 9:45...the kids were worn out, but perked up a little when we got there, so it was a little late before we got to bed, and then of course they were up early! We had some breakfast, and then Chris, Evan and I headed out to do some shopping, and the rest of the gang hung out and went and played at some playgrounds...we came back while they were eating lunch...we all snoozed a little and then when we were up and going again, we headed to Deanna Rose Farm....a great place close to their house that has animals you can pet, tons of areas to play and just a great family place to be! The kids had so much fun feeding the goats and watching the ducks and fish, the cows, the pigs, the horses, etc, etc, etc!!! It was really a great place to hang out...
After that, we went to a playground area and got to let the kids play and swing...then we headed back, grilled burgers and hot dogs, made some chocolate chip cookies...gave kids baths and then watched a Scooby Doo movie:) Then Nick read the kids a story "The Littlest Pumpkin" and then they headed to BED!
We headed home on Sunday morning, to be home in plenty of time for trick or treating:) Thanks so much Julie, Steve and Nick for letting us come and visit and all of the fun times you showed us!! WE had a BLAST:)

Swimming Lessons

We finished up with swimming lessons last night for the year. The program is a year-long thing, but since it is getting colder we have chosen to take a break until spring. The kids have come so far in the 3 months that they have been doing them. I took some videos of them last night to share with you...Enjoy:)

Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween!! We just got back to the house from our trip around the neighborhood! What a great night...we thought it was going to be colder than that, but actually it was a really nice evening, and we had a great time:) We raked in the candy, of course, but the kids had lots of fun running from house to house:) and everybody raved over our costumes!! Adorable, I will let the pictures do the talking!!

Introducing Mystery, Incorporated!!
A.K.A Scooby Doo, Fred, Shaggy and Daphne:)

Pumpkin Carving

We just carved our pumpkins for Halloween:) The kids had lots of fun and they turned out really cute...we don't get too fancy, just simple shapes and stuff, but it is fun for each of the kids to pick out what shape they want and where they want it on the pumpkin! Lots of fun...they are really excited to go Trick or Treating this weekend, so it should a fun time to go around the neighborhood this year:)





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I will take some more pictures while they are glowing on our front step for you all to see:) Enjoy your Halloween week!!

Farming

We went to visit Grandpa and Grandma Lansink this past weekend, and got to have some quality time in the combine and tractors!! :) The kids had a great time, Thanks Grandpa:)
We also carved a pumpkin with Grandma, and had fun celebrating Jodi's 30th birthday with a surprise party for her...lots of fun had by all:) I didn't take any pics at the party cause I had a grouchy/tired Evan to deal with, so check out her blog to see more pics of the fun time, but here are pics of the farming and pumpkin carving!











Thanks for a great time everyone:)

Cute kids

Hello!

sorry to keep you all waiting in the blog world:) We have been too busy, outside, enjoy this beautiful October that has been happening!! It has just been amazing, I hope this continues for a few more weeks...we could use all the time outside that we can get!!

Anyway, just wanted to share some pics of the kids I took this weekend while we were out playing! I am biased, but I do think they are some pretty cute kids!!

Evan has discovered a new word! BALL...he sure is all boy:) just like his brothers! He has been learning to say lots of stuff, he is just too cute:)

Ashley is a silly girl on the swing, she has recently learned to skip too! I will upload a video (if I can) of that soon!! she is so proud:)

Elliott has been busy with school and playing with his friends...he is in LOVE with swimming lessons and looks forward to going every tues and thursday!

Ayden is excited to tell you that Evan has learned how to say "Ayden"!! It really is pretty cute, and he is thrilled that his brother can say it!! He also loves swimming lessons and his favorite part is jumping off the boards:)

Happy 1st Birthday Evan Christopher!!

On Saturday, Sept 25th, we got to celebrate Evan's birthday! It doesn't even seem like it has been a year since this little guy has joined our family...we honestly can say he has been such a blessing and an amazing little boy, we are so lucky to have him!!


We didn't do anything too exciting for the big day. Chris had to work this weekend, so it was me and the kids. We had planned on going to watch Uncle Andrew coach the Simpson Storm against Buena Vista in Storm Lake, but it decided to rain all morning, with thunder and hail, so I decided that wasn't really ideal for 4 kids to sit in the rain to watch a football game. They were disappointed, but I told them I would take them to Play All Day, and that cheered them up! It is a place here in town with bouncy houses and slides and lots of fun stuff for the kids to do...we ended up having a great time...they have a special area for the "little" ones and Evan got to play and have a blast in there on his big day:) So CUTE!!






We stayed for a few hours, and then came home, and I made a yummy supper for Evan for his special day! We had meatloaf and mashed potatoes! This meal is one of our kids' favorites:) They all scarfed it down, yummy!!

We spent the rest of the evening playing and enjoying our birthday boy! I can't even believe that he is 1 already!! He is so fun and we are just loving this stage that he is in!!

Thank you to all for the great birthday wishes for our little guy:) We apprecaite it and love you all!!
Here are a couple of my fav's from his 1st few days of joining us in this world:)
We Love you Evan!!