Playing Hooky--Vala's 2015

Family Fun Day!  We had the kids play hooky for a day and took everyone to Vala's pumpkin patch!  It wasn't crowded and we had the run of the place.  

 The little kids all like the cheesy story-book place (and I suspect the big kids are ok with it too...)

Em and Christian liked the big-wheel bike races.

Cubby and Ju Ju pedaled around as well.

Kari decided she was freezing and snuggled up to watch with Britta.

 Britta LOVED the corn pit.  Just look at that joy!

Intense rubber-ducky races.

 Everyone enjoyed the giant bouncy pillows...even Kari came out of hibernation for the fun.

...And then she went back to freezing.

The slides were lots of fun too--Kari was all smiles, Juliana...not so much.

I love this picture of Britta and me.  She's just too sweet!

 Lastly we wandered down to this little obstacle course area--which was the perfect size for Kari and Juliana.

We actually didn't even make it out the patch part of the pumpkin patch...but we did grab a few pumpkins on our way out!  Yay Vala's!

Halloween Preview--Emily

Em got invited to a Hallween party and this year she's going as a purple minion from the movie Despicable Me 2.  I think her costume turned out so great!  She had a lot of fun at her party too.

Picnic in the Park

My mom loves picnics.  (Honestly, who doesn't?)  One beautiful evening she called us all together for a picnic dinner in the park.  My sister brought her camera and skills along and captured some great pictures of the kids and the fun times they had hitching rides on Uncle Kyle's motorcycle!

 My lovely Britta, getting so big!

Em had her turn first (of course)!

My fire-cracker, Juliana.  (And can you see Kari's little scowl in the background??)

A very wistful-looking Kari.

 Christian was up next!

 Erin captured a small sampling of the chaos that these four girls bring to the table.

Such a happy grandpa.  Britta just LOVES him!

 Yup.  That's Kari...

Grandkids, minus Kari, who was having her ride.

 At last it was Ju Ju's turn!!

 We also played at the park...

 ...picked flowers, played games...

 ...and took a walk around the duck pond.

We are so lucky to live so close to family and that my mom makes the effort to coordinate our schedules so we all get together!

Is That Kari or Kit Kittredge?

For Halloween, Kari wants to be the American Girl,  Kit Kittredge.  Isn't she just beautiful??  She was so excited to get a skirt that's exactly like Kit's.  She even had matching red socks, shoes, and a headband.  She is so feminine and girly and I just love it.  So adorable.

Soccer, Soccer, and More Soccer

Fall soccer.  Christian's team continues to battle through each game, improving little by little.  It's been a good refiner's fire and learning experience for him this last year and a half as his team has really had to work hard and pull together to get the wins.  Parents from other teams remark how much heart and energy our boys play with, and I love hearing those types of compliments more than if we were to crush the other teams by scoring tons of goals.  Here are a few pictures of Christian in action, both in goal and as a forward.

Christian and his best friend, Henry, who continue to play against one another with their friendly rivalry!

 Here are some of Kari and her team as they finished off their season strong.  Cute girls and we enjoyed watching Kari get out and run (when she wasn't "too tired") and have fun playing soccer!