October 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.

September 2012

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!

Birthday girl, crown and all

Two helpers eager to blow out the candles and cut into the cake

A great family shot - birthday hats and all!

Our wonderful guests who came up to Rochester just to celebrate my birthday with me!

Luke skipping his nap to enjoy the Bears' game with Daddy

So serious.

A shot from inside the box at Lambeau - it was SUCH an amazing experience!

Our VIP tickets allowed us access to the entire Club Level at Lambeau, including this balcony area that overlooks tailgate nation.

Luke 18-Month Pictures

I'm a bit behind in posting Luke's 18-month pictures, but I think you might agree that they are worth the wait!  This was by far Luke's best picture session, as we could hardly keep him from smiling!  I simply cannot believe how much he has grown in just 6 months - he's talking so much, loves to eat, loves to ride bikes and play outside, and loves all things Jane.  Enjoy!

A handsome group of gentleman - 4 Generations of Gottschalk men - this picture turned out beautifully and we love it!

Summer Wedding

Another very fun trip this summer was down to Nky for my cousin Matt's wedding.  It was a great time and the kids couldn't get enough of the dancing and partying!  It was great to get to spend the whole weekend with family and friends!

Jane with Uncle Joel and Auntie Sarah!

Daddy and Luke

Jane and Keegan seem to be plotting something suspicious here...

All of my Grandma Scheper's Great-Grandkids: L-R: Jane, Luke, Lana, Avery, Keegan

I promise we did not plan the coordinated blue dress look

4 Generation Picture: Kennel, Scheper, Kubala, Gottschalk!

Joel and Grandma Scheper - big smiles for them both - looking radiant!

I think we caught Jane pre-smile

Love this pic of mom and I

The Kubala family with the happy Groom

Jane showing the dance floor how it's done

August 2012

August was a fun and action-packed month for us!  Check it out!

A  normal morning for us - Luke with a banana.  Appropriate jammies too.

So serious.  And so hungry apparently.

We enjoyed a trip again this summer to the Fulton County Fair, despite massive heatwave.  Jane and Luke both loved seeing all the animals. 

Taking a break to enjoy a cool beverage.  They really can be 2 peas in a pod.

Evan and I enjoyed a short mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida during August.  It was absolutely wonderful - delicious food, lots of book-reading, and relaxing.  Thanks to my mom for coming up to stay with the kids while we were gone, and Evan's parents for helping out as well! 

We enjoyed a visit this summer from 2 of our 5 Arizonians - Maddie and Katie spent a few days in Rochester and it was great to see them.  Jane adores these 2, and Luke took a fond liking to Katie this trip.  We visited the Ft. Wayne Children's Zoo and had a wonderful time!  Impossible to get them all to look at the camera at the same time....

This is as good as it gets for us when it comes to family pictures.  Not a whole lot to say here.

Jane and Maddie ready for our "pit-nit" lunch!

The petting zoo was a very big hit with everyone, minus Jane.  She wasn't quite sure about the aggressive goats that were eager to eat out of our hands.  Luke couldn't get enough!

Here she is warning us about getting too close...

Daddy teaching the fine art of "gentle touching"

Feeding them was a problem, but apparently grooming was fair game.

This picture is exactly why animals probably have a healthy sense of caution when around young children.  He looks like he's ready to tackle this goat!

The turtle statue is becoming an annual thing.  Here she is at 2 1/2 years old....

And just for a reminder, here she was last October, almost a year ago.  It's amazing how much they change, and in her case, how TALL they grow!  Nearly 4+ inches in 12 months!

Luke.  Loves. Glasses.

Maddie and Evan enjoying the water log ride.

A very special treat that week was a slumber party at Aunt Leslie's house!  Jane was BEYOND excited and barely would say goodbye to us - she just wanted to go, go, go!

The slumber party was for girls only, but Luke really wanted to be in picture.

Papa and Luke are best of buds.

I heart this little man.