Fall Fun

So here's an update on what we've been up to. A few weeks ago Joe D's parents and his sister came out to visit us and meet Tessa. What a treat! We didn't tell the kids they were coming so it was the best surprise ever. They couldn't believe Nana and Papa were at our house! While they were here we mostly relaxed and enjoyed each others company, but we did take the kids to the pumpkin festival. They had a blast with the petting zoo, hay ride, tractor bikes, jumbo slide and all the other kids activities. My favorite part was the food. Shocker, I know. Hot apple cider, fresh kettle corn and homemade apple cinnamon donuts. Yeah. Heaven. It was a perfect day. You can click on the collage to make it bigger.The very next weekend, we drove out to Hamilton to visit Mom and Harlan. It was a short weekend, but a fun one. The kids loved all the yard decorations, playing with the dogs and picking vegetables from the garden. We also went and saw some more of the church history sites in Nauvoo. Their favorite was the print shop where they got to try out a really old printing press. The drive with the kids was miserable (and no, it wasn't Tessa's fault) and it made me dread the 26 hour drive to Utah that we are planning on Christmas break. Eeek. I hope we can survive it.Then Kenzi had her 9th birthday this past week. Yes, NINE. I know- can you believe that? Because I can't. For her party this year I took her and 5 friends to a beauty school and they got their hair and makeup done. It worked out perfectly because they all had a Halloween party that night. Needless to say it was a HUGE success. They all loved it and Kenzi most of all. She is seriously a great kid and I am so glad to call her mine. Love that girl!At the same time I was chillin' with the 9 year olds, Will was across the city at his first Pee Wee Wrestling tournament. He just started wrestling a couple months ago so he was super nervous about his first meet. He was the only one in his weight class so they bumped him up to the older group. So he was wrestling some big boys that had been doing it for a few years. He held up pretty well I hear. I was bummed I wasn't there to see it. Joe D said he tried hard and had great sportsmanship. I can't wait till the next one!And then of course, we have pumpkin carving and Halloween!!! YAY! I was pretty lame this year, due to Tessa. It's too cold to take her around. I mean, I could bundle her up, but then who would see how cute she was in her costume? Speaking of her costume, I couldn't decide which one was cuter. You tell me. You guys are the only ones that got to see how cute she is in it. I didn't even have a costume this year. Next year. Next year will be great. I'm already making plans. I love Halloween!Here are the kids carving their pumpkins and the jack-o-lantern display on our front porch. And then of course, the costumes. Just for explanation: Kenzi is a DJ, Will is a zombie soldier, and Sadie is a garden gnome. Joe D didn't have a costume either. He thinks he's too good for costumes. I think he's too boring for them. :) j/k I'll get him in one next year. You wait and see.I have to go get my kids in bed. Actually, they have been "in bed" for 45 minutes, but they aren't going to sleep and I am losing my patience. Hope you all had a great Halloween!