Orchard

About a month ago, Lucas had a day off from school.  His school field trip to the orchard was so much fun that we decided to round up our friends and go back.

Hanna, Hannah, Lucas, Jonah, Josh, Noah, Jack.

In front - Ryan and Jacob.

Before the maze... when they were clean.

Kim and Noah.  

She probably tossed those shoes.  The maze was crazy muddy. 

Results of the muddy maze. 

And what happens when you are running around the muddy maze.

Hay ride.

Ryan and Jake.

Horse races.

The hay maze was way more my style!

I don't know the official name of this homemade slide, but the kids loved it!  

Hanna and Ryan.

The jumping pillow.  Jacob organized races across the jumping pillow with the boys.  

I bet they made 30 laps back and forth.

H and H.

The large pedal tractors were a hit for all ages!

Maggie and Jonah. 

H and H. 

Jack.    I love this picture because this little boy LOVES tractors and he looks so natural with a friendly farmer wave.  

This boy love it, too.  

Look at this smile! 

I'm trying to talk Brent into building a tractor track and buying a few of these tractors.  I haven't been successful.  

She had a blast but it really doesn't look like it in this picture, huh?

Gramma Vicky came with us, too! 

I love this photo, too.  

Noah and Hannah. 

Another favorite.  Oh my, we had a fun day!

The boys.  

J-U-M-P!

So content.  

Next year I'll be chasing him around!

Jack and Hannah. 

Jacob and Hanna.  

We may have started a new tradition!

Halloween

Lucas and Hannah both got to dress up and parade around the town square businesses on Halloween with school and daycare, respectively.  It's a bunch of fun for the kids and businesses.  It's a good thing Hannah got to do this because she didn't get to go trick or treating that night.  Nope, she got sick.  Vomit that was NOT induced by candy eating.  Shortly after she got sick, Ryan wasn't feeling so good either.  So the two smalls stayed home and Lucas was the only trick or treater from our house.  So there isn't a picture of the three together but I do have individuals...

Cowgirl.

Dinosaur.

Cowboy. 

Great Grandma and Lucas.  She always has special homemade treats. 

Lucas and Jonah. 

(Lucas had a bunch of loot in his candy bag because neighbors felt bad that Hannah and Ryan were sick and gave him more to share.  Which he did when Hannah was healthy.  But I've eaten more than Ryan's share!) 

There was a note on the door that said "We are out trick or treating ourselves.  Please take one each." 

Only in a small town!  Love it. 

It has become a great tradition to trick or treat with friends and gather afterward for soup.  

We usually celebrate my birthday, too.  Yay!  

And no, I didn't make my own cake -- but it was delicious!  

Some of the gang.  

Spirits in the Garden

We attended Spirits in the Garden and Reiman Gardens again this year.  

The weather was great and the kids enjoyed it.  

Candy!

The giant gnome. 

Listening to a Halloween story. 

Some animals from the Wildlife Care Clinic at ISU Veterinary Medicine. 

Pumpkin ball - AKA broom ball. 

Pumping water to shoot out of the turtle's mouths.  Loved this! 

The gardener.  

Nice pink hat he has, huh?

Mama's cowboy and cowgirl. 

Making spiders - a super cute craft.  

Picking his favorite butterfly. 

My favorite - so bright and beautiful! 

What was the peanut doing during all of this?  

Just hanging out... enjoying the ride.