recap

WOW - a long time no blog!  It's been nutty around here to say the least.  The kids sequentially came down with some sort of cold and so we were down and out for about 3 weeks straight.  Poor Steve even had a bad sinus infection during that time, too.  I'm very thankful that I stayed healthy.  As I was in the midst of my pity party, my mom reminded me about how sick I was as a kid and that it's worth it to be so healthy as an adult... very true and very encouraging.   There were many other things going on during that time so I thought I would quick catch you up with some pictures....

Well I should back up a little - these were pictures I took when we had a break in all the rain (as my neighbor likened it to needing to build an ark with 40 days of non-stop rain :)!  ).  All the kids gathered in our driveway for a little floor hockey - they were sooo cute I could resist taking pictures (and I understand now why hockey equipment is a must! Lots of high sticks to stop! No one got hurt though and Daddy joined them when he got home!)

Here's a picture in the midst of all the rain of a park by us... even in the rain it glowed with the yellow leaves everywhere.

Ah yes, the messy pumpkin carving tradition. The kids were so excited about carving the pumpkins, but it was Steve and I that got all messy. Fun afternoon, though, I think it was Karlie who was sick during this experiene.

Here's Nathan in the Turkey Trot. It's an annual fund raiser for the PE classes for the entire school district. He was so cute and I got choked up watching him. I now understand why my parents always looked at me with tears in their eyes as I was doing things with school. Its a good prideful moment of seeing your kids accomplish and participate in things... regardless of how they do... just to see them try. Actually, I can't really put it into words, but I was just so proud of my little guy that day, even if he was towards the end of the pack. They ran 3/4 of the track and he was basically walking when he crossed the finish line :)

And of course Halloween. Nathan was Larry Boy. He loved his costume and wore it basically everyday until Halloween. David was going to be Buz Lightyear (hand-me-down costume from Nathan) and Karlie was going to be a princess. Unfortunately, David was really sick on Halloween and Steve wasn't feeling much better. So, Nathan and I went around the sub trick-or-treating while the other 3 stayed home :(.   I put a bucket of candy on our front porch and everyone just helped themselves. It was fun but kinda a flop of a day if you ask me.

Nathan's class party - here's his 'girl friend' Erin :)

Nathan and his buddies Ishmael and Caden

Nathan lost his first tooth! And has now lost another tooth... he kinda lisps but has a great spot for a straw!



And these pictures are from last weekend in Grand Haven! It was GORGEOUS on the beach even though it was windy. Steve's parents were out visiting and we had a great time by the water!



Ok, that's a lot of pictures so I will stop for now.  I'm excited still about my photography.  I have taken a few family pictures and senior pictures in the last month.  Today I'm helping a friend of mine take wedding pictures!!!  I'm super excited and can't wait to try it.  Time to go... Karlie just used A&D ointment to spike her hair (what on earth???!!).... never a dull moment!! :)

Have a great Saturday!! :)