Giggles

Callum has the best giggles!  Last night he was having some fun with daddy.  Pretty typical, but I finally got it on video.  Sorry for the poor quality.  We didn't have much light in the living room.  At the end you'll see him take a few steps.  He's been doing that for a while, and he can actually take quite a few more.  He practiced a lot yesterday.  I think he was just too excited to walk, thus the falling on his face trying to get to daddy.  Pretty soon he'll be chasing his big brothers and sister around.

Pumpkins and Smores

 We had another gorgeous fall day here, so we took advantage and carved some pumpkins.  Grandma Bonnie, Jodi and Adrienne came over to join in the fun.  

Adrienne and Marketa helped scoop the guts out.

The kids had fun running around.

Then we attempted to roast marshmallows over candles.

We ended up coming in and making smores in the microwave.

All the pumpkins turned out cute, but I think Jodi's cat wins.

Then bedtime story courtesy of Grandma.

Future Farmers

Saturday we had the opportunity to go to a farm.  My dad has connections, so we set it up and headed out, just Maddox and Beckett with me and Grandpa Denny.  They had a blast seeing the farm equipment up close.  We even got to help harvest some corn, riding in the combine for an hour.

Beckett watching the tractor come in.

This is the combine we got to ride in.

They were having fun up there, even though you can't tell from their faces.

Then, as soon as we got home, they got out their farm equipment to start "harvesting" some of the corn we brought home.

Of course, farmers need a bath after a long day in the fields.

They are looking forward to going back again.  We were told we could come back in the spring to ride when they are planting.

Thanks Dianne and dad for setting this up!!

Projects

 Always lots of projects around here.  Here are a few of my latest...

I've always got a baby hat going...this particular one is a premie hat for a baby that was born at 29 weeks.  I went to visit him in the NICU the other day.  He's doing well, but is so incredibly tiny!!

Pumpkins...I love having them around for decoration in the fall.  They also make great pumpkin muffins!

The boys insisted on scarves for their monkeys.  Simple requests, so of course I obliged.  Marketa needed one for her doggy too.

Yummy apples from the farmer's market.  Perfect for applesauce and apple pie bread.

Sushi.  Felt sushi, that is.  A couple friends and I got together and are making a collection of felt food for our girls for Christmas.  This is one of the sets I'm making.

Winter hats.  The kids picked out their colors this year.  Now I just have to finish them before it gets cold.

Many more projects to come.  Hopefully they'll get finished before Christmas.

We are loving this fall weather and getting out to enjoy it often.

Yesterday after naps, the kids came out to snack while I raked leaves.

Then they played in the leaves and scattered them everywhere.

We had a fun, but busy weekend. Scott was home on Friday so we had some extra family time as well as time time to get a few things done around here. I wish he could take every Friday off. I could get so much more done. Ah well. Such is life with 4 little ones. I have to say, they are great helpers...

They love raking up leaves this time of year.

Even Callum joined in.

This one likes to sleep on the job. She doesn't even try to hide it.

I think Callum was heading out to supervise.

Who doesn't love some cuddle time after a busy weekend?

Most requested

Most requested cd around here...

At least once a day, one (or all 3 older) kids ask to listen to Anthem, or as they sometimes refer to it, God's glory.

Next most requested cd lately...

I have to say, it is pretty funny to hear a little 2 1/2 year old girl say that her favorite cd is Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks.

We've had a gorgeous start to October. Today the kids and I picked Grandpa Denny up and went over to Saylorville Lake to enjoy a beautiful afternoon.

Dad, Maddox and Beckett checking out the boats on the water.

We walked over to the butterfly garden just down the bike trail.

They loved looking at the water. Next time hopefully daddy can come so we can take the trail down to the beach.