Fall Photos

Family friend did our photos this year..they turned out just awesome!! Can't wait to decide which to print!

Getting All Ready for our Fall Photos :)

Kid Going-Ons

A lot is happening with Kenna. She got her report card today and no surprise to us she is doing amazing. She actually scored the highest possible marks in art, music and PE (which is rare) so we are super excited that she is so well rounded! We have parent teacher night monday and cannot wait to see what Mrs. Dunne has to say! 

She started gymnastics a few weeks ago and loves it! We decided that we would work with a few of her friends and put together private lessons instead of the big group session. Its the same amount of money if they share, and it ends up being much more hands on and she is learning so much more! THe picture below is her with an ice pack because she accidentally got kicked in the face...oops!

We are really working on empathy and sassiness. Sure some of it is just the age, but trying to work on how her actions make others feel...a difficult concept for many kids. 

She is doing SO WELL in karate. She had tip testing a few weeks ago and was the ONLY little dragon to score a 10...that's out of about 60 kids, just amazing! She really is excelling in it!

 Zachary is 3 going on 13...he desperately wants to go to school and do all the big kid things that Kenna does. It is hard to explain to him that he has to be older, but we will probably put him in soccer, kindermusik and maybe swimming lessons next year. Hopefully he will get excited! And he starts preschool next fall, so plenty to do!

He is Mr. independent play these days, loves singing and making up imaginary tales, just so creative and fun. He likes doing things on his own, and can quickly move between happy and irate if he doesn't get his way. Below he wouldn't let me take a picture of Kenna without taking one of him, yes he is eating a banana minutes before bed...he is constantly starving.

Mr. Grayson - oh what to say here. He is in quite a funk these days. He wakes up happy, but gets so mad if something doesn't go his way. He is really into tantrums, screaming "NO!" and just overall mad. I am hoping this is a phase because the littlest things set him off like putting his coat on. We are trying to wait it out and hope that he learns better communication skills :) He understands a lot, just doesn't like to talk much yet...in time!

Halloween

This year's Halloween pictures and overall success was a little under par. We tried to get pictures taken at Target, and Grayson would not have it. I tried to take pictures at home, and no one would hold still...I give up :)

Lets just say my little justice league was super cute! Just wiggly!

 Dynamic Duo super hugs

 My little batman

 and his wiggly sidekick Robin

 Super tough

 Never a serious moment...they get that from me

 Told them to make silly faces

 We had our typical block party - mario, luigi and toadstool showed up

so did ninjas and a killer whale!

Grayson didn't last long, as usual. Chelsey came with us, probably because she was locked out of her house LOL! But the kids did a few streets of trick or treating, and we have enough candy to last till easter! Next year will be super fun, because Grayson will get it and all three will be able to stay up a bit later. Great fun as always though!

New Friends

Its funny, when I went on Ragbrai this year, I never thought McKenna would become such great friends with the daughter of the person I went with! Olivia lives down the street from us and they have really become great friends. The hardest part is making sure that McKenna is being kind when it is her, Olivia and her older sister Sammy...three girls is a recipe for disaster. But they did have a fun afternoon of "dance off" the other day. Way CUTE!

Wow, no sassy in this house!...Not sure how girls come pre-programmed with the bootie thrust!

Orchard and Mom's Visit

I just realized it has been almost a month since I have been on here....sigh. I have been so busy with work and traveling that I have barely had time to talk to my kids, let alone write about what it is that they are up to!

Right after my last post my mom came to visit!  It was half to hang out with us, and half to get an endless list of tasks done on her house. They are moving right along and it should be finished by Christmas!

I was in St. Louis when she arrived, but got home late Friday night. On Saturday we all went to the orchard and did our typical corn pool, monster slide, caramel apples, jumping on the giant balloon, checking out the animals, etc. This year they had some additional fun attractions!

Spencer's first dip in the corn pool...it was cold!

Grayson was his typical grumpy self...he has been going through a bit of a tantrum phase, but seemed to enjoy checking out the goats

AHHH Scary Chelsey

 

So Spencer won, but presumably cheated...you'll have to talk to Chelsey...

These were new this year...how fun!!

Pretty sure we wore them out!

The rest of the visit was mostly around house stuff and naps! But was fun sharing one of our favorite family traditions with Chels, Spence and my mom! :)

Some Cute Movies

Here is one of Zachey making Grayson laugh with a silly birthday toy



And maybe a less cute one....tried to capture what have become epic fits that Grayson throws for no reason. I believe in this case he couldn't fit a car in his bucket ;)



Night and day huh? 

Nolan's Birthday

Grandpa Bob was at a surprise party in Omaha last weekend. He got a chance to drive up here and spend a few days with us too. It happened to coincide with Nolan's 5th birthday party which had a curious george theme. The weather was really nice so the kids got to play outside in the backyard. The event ended with a curious george pinata (which was sort of awful as they tried to break curious george :)

Grayson LOVED this little slide

 Big swing Zachey

Kenna winding up

Harvest

Last weekend Josh was rounding out his week of bronchitis...it was awful, probably the worst sickness I've ever seen him have. Luckily he went to the doctor so it didn't progress into pneumonia. On Saturday I loaded the kids up and went to Perry to visit Grandma Great and let the kids drive the tractor :) Zachey was SUPER excited and aside from it being really cold, they had a great time! They were definitely ready for a nap when they got home!

Last Day of Summer

We have had just an AMAZING fall. It has been so pretty, with all the trees changing. Josh and I got to do a 15 mile bike ride and really take it all in. Riding along the river with all the pretty trees, was just awesome!

Below are a few pictures - the view from our deck.

We also had one last visit from the ice cream truck to end the summer weather :)

Waukee YMCA

We have a new tradition. Josh met some guys that love to play racquetball at the Wakuee Y on Saturdays. So, we pack up the kids, take them to the free and amazing kid center, and Josh plays racquetball while I do cardio. The Wakuee Y is amazing! They also have this awesome kid's pool, so the kids play in there when we are done. Great way to spend saturday mornings! I bet even more so once it gets cold outside!!!

Mom's House

Pretty excited at the progress on mom's house! She is coming at the end of October and will probably be nearly finished on the outside then!!

Orange Belt

We are SOOO proud of our little Kenna. She is really excelling in karate. She sometimes practices at home, and is really working on her intensity! A few weeks ago she was tested and earned her orange belt. They always make it a big deal and have a meeting with all the advancing orange belt students. Even more importantly, she was so proud of herself!