The Second Half of October

 Spaghetti Eating boy!

 Shove the rest of it in.

 He loves to sweep and mop.  This is my new Norwex mop and he loves it!

 Elli practicing "Do Re Mi" to try out for the musical at her school, The Sound of Music.

 Elli delivery?

 Wearing mom's shoes.

 Micah loves shoes.

 and rolls

 Carving another pumpkin that says "trick or treat"

 Love our pumpkins this year.

 "Nana"

 When he wants to brush his teeth he calls it "Ahhhh."

 Adorable

 Trick or Treat.  My little cow and Cinderella.

 I was tearing up watching the sweetness of these two.  Micah looked to Elli to help him and she gladly helped.

 So cute.  Micah wanted to touch everyone's pumpkin and could really have cared less about the candy.  Elli on the other hand, enjoyed getting the candy.

 We met up with the Raymonds.  I wish it wasn't blurry.  Each of the kids was a super hero!  I started pouring the rain so we only went to a few houses, then loaded up in the car to go to Mom and Dad's.

 Micah arriving at Gonga and Papa's house

 Gloria the butterfly.

 Francine the bee.

 Four sweeties.  We had fun at mom and dad's watching the kids dance.  Gloria and Micah have some awesome moves!

Our last stop of the night was at Kyle and Meg's.  Micah and Rayna, were both very afraid of Kyle in this beard.  Hilarious!

Pumpkin Patch Traditions

 Little Oliver

 Happy Luka

 Sweet Wesley

 The whole family.  We didn't get the traditional picture of Elli crying with Heather, but tried to get the rest of us!

 Micah was struggling all afternoon trying to pick up these "balls"

 Yep, I let him go down this very tall, very fast slide.  I thought Brent was going to catch him.

 The big kids, like sweet Elli, Gloria, and the twins, loved it!

 My babies

 Playing in the tunnel

 He stood in here and said, "Chee" so I would take his picture.

 Bright sun.

 The twins riding the cows!

 Elli and Micah's turn.

 Gloria on the "standing still" cow.

 Many attempts at family pics.

 Sweet girls.

 Back at Leah's.  We tried to get a picture of the babies.  Micah looks twice their size!

Oliver and Francine.  SO fun to have our kids so close.

St. Nick, Nov. 23, 2013

Tonight, after shopping for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes, Elli asked if we could keep anything that didn't fit in the box.  I told her that this was about showing kindness to others, not about us, and if it didn't fit, we would find someone to give it to.  I then explained how there were people all over the world who did not have enough money for gifts, maybe not even enough for the things they need like food and clothes.  She then wanted to know if St. Nick was real and if so, why didn't he give gifts to everyone.  Oh man.
So, I explained that St. Nicholas was a real person and that he was known for his generosity and for giving to others.  I then explained that is one reason we give gifts at Christmas time and it should be a good reminder to us to show the love of Jesus by giving to others at the very time of year that we celebrate Jesus's birthday. (She then said that we are not sure if Christmas is the actual day Jesus is born, but that it may be this time of tear.  Thank you Elli) 
So, then she asked if St Nick died.  I said he did.  She then asked if Santa Claus could be real because if St. Nick died, then how could there be another one.  I asked her what she thought which has been my answer to this question the last couple of years.  She said, "Mommy, just tell me if he is real, because I don't see how he could be and I have a feeling you ate all the cookies last year."  I then told her how I believed in Santa Claus for a long time and then realized one day that it was really Gonga and Papa.  Her eyes got really big, she smiled, and said, "Really?"  I had to explain that what I meant was that I realized my mommy and daddy were the ones sneaking out when I was asleep and putting presents under the tree  for me.
I then explained that giving gifts and referring to Santa Claus has become a tradition.  We continue to pretend that Santa Claus gives gifts even though the moms and dads make it happen.  I also told her that it seems like Santa Claus is more important then Jesus and she agreed we need to be careful how we talk about it.
I am not sure she has it all figured out, because she asked again if Santa was real.  I told her daddy ate all the cookies and left it at that.
I did ask her if she thought Jesus was real.  She said she knows He is because the Bible tells us about Him and the Bible is real.  Amen!
Now for some adorable pictures from decorating the tree today.

 Micah was not really sure what to think.

 Now he is ready for some ornaments.

Elli was such a big help this year, hanging the ornaments, and simply helping.  She was very excited and ready to help Micah as well.  It was a fun day.

A Post full of Fall Fun, October 2013 (the first half)

 Horsey rides with daddy.

 Micah needed a change of clothes from Frances's house. 

 The kids eating dinner at Leah's.

 Micah trying out Oliver's car seat with his baby right next to him.

 The twins wearing their head lights.

 Micah giving Oliver kisses.

 Homecoming Parade at Cedarville.  Elli ready for the candy with her bag.

 Micah wanted those, "Boos" so badly.

 At the club for some gold and an Ohio State tail gate party.

 Micah fell into the water and his pants were soaked.

 We visited the Pumpkin Barn.  Elli is such a good big sister.

 Petting the goats.

 Feeding the horse.

 Love this shot of the two of them looking at each other so sweetly.

 My sweet big girl.

 Silly babies.

 Love those smiles.

 He was very serious about his wagon ride.

 We saw Caleb play flag football and Madilynn cheering for him.  Such fun!

 Pumpkin carving night at Kyle's.

 No fear from this little guy.

 Elli wanted an owl and Kyle carved a fish with sun beams and a cross?

Devin and Becca were able to join.  It was a fun evening ending with smores over the fire.