Evan and Emily: November 2012

October was a very busy month for us, as we welcomed the fall with some chilly weather! We took our 2nd annual trip to Thistleberry Farm and discovered they had added to the already wonderful activities they offer! Although it was a bit chillier than we were hoping, we had a great time - giant slide, "cow train", pony rides, hay rides, mazes and of course lots of pumpkins for picking! This is turning into a great tradition for us that the kids really enjoy.

The end of the month was disappointingly a bit rough as we all fell prey to terrible sickness - coughs, achiness, runny nose, ear infection for Evan - it was the worst and lasted for nearly 2 weeks! Unfortunately the terrible weather and less-than-ideal health conditions made Halloween a bit anti-climatic but we still tried to enjoy ourselves as much as possible.

We are looking forward to November, Thanksgiving, and the commencement of the holiday season! Bring it on!

Jane was obsessed with the giant slide - she insisted on going up the stairs and down the slide solo. Shocking to none of us.

She did invite her brother to go down with her once - I love this picture.

They very much enjoy the 'cow train' around the farm.

A mini-maze for the mini-people. Jane is leading Evan through the complicated turns as Luke tries to keep up

Family shot after the hay ride - everyone is looking at the camera - a real bonus!

The farmer let Luke sit on his tractor and Luke LOVED that!

Trying to pose for a picture at the end of the trip - I should've known better....

We enjoyed a very fun trip down to Nky, where Nana purchased a very special tea set for Jane. I think we had about a half a dozen tea parties while we were down there, but it's never enough for her. She loves being the hostess, doling out treats, and chugging her tea. Very ladylike.

Nana and Jane taking a break from the festivities to pose for the camera.

Grandpaul built a campfire and set up his tent for all the grandkids. It was a fairly windy night, so we spent a lot of time in the tent, telling "ghost stories". The kids thought it was a hoot!

Luke and Keegan seem up to no good here.

Jane was very excited to be Izzy from Jake and the Netherland pirates for Halloween. Here she is ready to go to the Halloween party at the library. Jake (Luke) was too sick to attend.

Cupcake decorating was the highlight, and Jane has the art of the "taste tester" down pat.

Luke was less-than-enthused about all things Halloween.

One last final attempt at a decent picture. I suppose there's always next year.

Another month, come and gone, and we enjoyed the prolonged warmth that September brought this year. We celebrated my birthday with some very special visitors from Nky, and had a true "party", much to Jane's delight (and mine too)! Evan and I also got to experience a once-in-a-lifetime type adventure when we traveled up to Green Bay, WI to watch the Bears play the Packers, courtesy of one of Evan's vendors. We were driven up there from Milwaukee on a party bus, toured the newest parts of Lambeau Field, and were treated like royalty as we enjoyed the game from their box seats. It was an amazing experience, despite the Bears' unfortunate performance, and highlighted a wonderful September for us!