Costume Contest

Unfortunately, Holyn has been battling the flu all week and missed her school Halloween party. She felt well enough in the afternoon to hand out some candy to trick or treaters and accompany everyone to the Arcola Lions Club Party. Max won 1st prize again this year in the catagory of Superhero (he started the night as the evil Spiderman and then changed back to good). Holyn won 1st prize as a Bat and even Boppa won for Most "Experienced" Trick or Treater!

Trick or Treat

Candy, Candy and more Candy! Holyn and Max joined their buddies Lauren (Dora the Explorer) and Nathan (Tigger) for some trick or treating in our neighboring town of Arcola. Max was Spiderman with muscles (he calls them bumps) and Holyn was ever so fashionable as a Bratz Bat. The weather here was beautiful and we stayed out until dark. Needless to say, we have lots of candy for all.

Preschool Party

Papa Jim dressed up for Max's preschool Halloween party (complete with eye patch and parrot on his shoulder) and surprised the class with a visit. He helped the kids with games, making crafts and bobbing for apples. Max dressed up as spiderman but really hated wearing the mask. When we asked Max what he thought of Papa Jim as a pirate, he said "ya looked dumb". Gotta love that honesty.

Hilger's Haunted House

Boppa and Papa Jim arrived for a visit and the kids couldn't wait to scare them. We made a second trip to the pumpkin patch (Hilgers) mainly to brave the Haunted Attic again. As before, Max wanted no part of it and Holyn (the pro with 4 trips through the attic during the first visit) needed a little time to build up her courage. With the help of some Hilger's helpers and a flash light, Papa Jim, Boppa and Holyn were successful. The kids also rode horses, the train and carnival rides, navigated the straw maze, jumped in the bounce house, listened to stories from the scary giant and watched piggy races. Can't wait until next year!

Chicago Pumpkins

We traveled to Chicago this past weekend to visit Uncle Tom and Jess. They hosted a halloween party for 6 kids and parents. The kids dressed up in costumes and picked out pumpkins to carve. The parents did all the carving, in fact Lant carved his very first pumpkin ever. Check out his handywork. Next everyone enjoyed making caramel apples and playing outside in the wonderful warm weather. Before bedtime we took a walk and Holyn and Max posed outside a bar on Broadway with all the pumpkins (no, these are not the ones we carved). One pumpkin even had a little skeleton in it that moved when you made noise.

Glamour Girls & Gator Guy

We had a lot of fun playing with our pal Lauren (Holyn's Pre-K buddy) yesterday. After baking cookies and the infamous makeovers (check out the bright red lipstick, glitter and blue eyeshadow), they headed outside for some cruising. Max gave rides until he ran over mom, then the "Glamour Girls" (as they call themselves) tooled around our house in style with a little cargo in back. Max loves the John Deere Gator but Holyn requests that her next vehicle must be pink. Good luck with that one kid!

School Days

Hi All,

Burrrrr!! Cold day here in Indiana. Holyn had another successful school day, not kissing any boys (got into a little trouble Monday about blowing kisses at her boyfriend during class). She has school Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and Max has school the opposite days. He tells us he can't wait to "learn and do projects", and that's about all he tells us. He is one of only 3 boys in the class, with 6 girls. So odds are Max might find a girlfriend of his own. Sorry Kailly. Attached is a picture of the kids at the local pumpkin patch from a couple weekends ago. Can't wait for Halloween here!

Patient Status

After having his tonsils and adenoids out on Oct. 1st (oh and don't forget tubes in the ears) Max is still on the mend. Yesterday was a bit rough, a little pain from the scabs, but still recovered enough to play baseball with Dad in the yard. Holyn had a little trip to the ER on Oct. 6th after getting injured at Sam's Club. She needed 4 staples in the back of her head, ouch!! She was very brave and bounced right back. She gets the staples out on Oct. 11th along with her 5 year check-up.