Halloween Fun

October 30/31:  Our Halloween was packed FULL of fun this year:

 

Halloween Party:

My MOPS table got together with our kiddos for a fun party on the 30th... we wore costumes, did crafts, decorated cookies, and played.

Sadie and I made these pumpkin jellos for her class party:

 

"Good Morning--Happy Halloween!"

 

Library Party:

 

Sadie's Classroom Party:

 

Carving Pumpkins with Grandpa & Grandma:

 

Trick Or Treating:

Marc and I took the big kids trick-or-treating around our neighborhood while Grandpa, Grandma, and Carver passed out candy...

 

And finally back home for soup and... CANDY!!!

Boo at the Zoo

October 26:  We have been loving our Zoo pass this year...  we went the weekend before Halloween to check out "Boo at the Zoo."  The kids joined the costume parade, rode the "haunted carousel", made scarecrows, went through a dinosaur maze, enjoyed some fun freebies, and had lots of zoo fun (despite the chilly day!)   

Sarah & Eli enjoyed the morning with us!

My little punkin!

 

 

 

Vino VanGough

October 24:  This was probably one of my favorite girls' nights from this past year.  It really stretched me out of my comfort zone, but I LOVED it.  I can't wait to do this again (or try something like this with Sadie!)  Several of us girls bought a Vino VanGough groupon together to try this activity.  The events are held at local restaurants.  Ours was at a Mexican restaurant.  We went early to enjoy dinner.  Afterwards, we moved to the painting room and a local artist (along with a couple assistants) taught how to create a particular painting.  The artist paints step by step and the helpers circulate throughout the room to answer questions and give tips.  We learned about blending paint and using different types of brushes.  I realize that I am a creative person and I love to do crafts and learn new things... however, I have never considered myself particularly artistic (especially in the areas of drawing/painting!)  This was a stretch for me but I loved the end result--it is currently hanging in our powder room!  I totally recommend this experience for anyone considering it.

 

Decorating Pumpkins

October 20:  A BIG thanks to Aunt Nee Nee for supplying us with so much fun pumpkin decorating supplies.  Sadie had a blast going on a shopping spree to help pick out fun things for this project.  Also--Thanks to Grandma Janet for buying pumpkins for the kids.  We had an awesome family fun night (and this is much less messy than carving pumpkins!)

 



Carver loved hanging out with us in his big-boy seat!

 

I think these are the cutest pumpkins ever!!

Touch a Truck

October 19:  We took the kids to Shorewoods' "Touch-a-Truck".  It was a fun (free) family Saturday morning--LOTS of big trucks!

Yes it was very cold--Sadie "forgot" her coat and used a baby blanket from the diaper bag to wrap up in.

Kinnick has LOVED garbage trucks since he was 1... He thought it was cook to "drive" one.  (Also thought it was cool that the real driver was an Iowa fan!)

Dollinger's Pumpkin Farm

October 12:  This was a busy weekend for us...  Marc's sister Stephanie came to take Sadie to Chicago the marathon (to watch a friend of hers).  Our friends Tim & Liz also came so they could watch our friend Sarah run in the marathon. 

 

We decided to fit in some fall fun that morning and headed to our local pumpkin patch.  We got their in time for it start raining.  Sadie & Steph left and the rest of us decided to wait it out (while staying dry in the bottom of a play fort!)  The rain stopped and we enjoyed a bit more time. 

 

After Dollinger's we went back to our house for lunch and a relaxing afternoon of watching movies.  It was fun to hang out with Tim & Liz without having ALL of our kiddos to keep us occupied.  That night our friends Sarah & Eli watched Kinnick, Macey, and Carver so we could have a date night with Tim & Liz--that was such a fun treat!  We took them to a local favorite of ours--The Shrimp Barn.  They left early Sunday morning to head down town... it was a quick visit but a great time.

Elis House Equestrian Center

October 4:  Elis House is open year round and they always have family nights on the first Friday of each month, however, last year we came in October also--I guess it just seems like a fun fall thing to do!  We came the same weekend--but the weather was MUCH different (FREEZING last year) and warm this year.  We enjoyed hourseback riding, face painting, crafts, games, hotdogs, playing, and a hayrack ride.  Best part--it's all free (except the $2 horse rides)!  Sadie invited a neighborhood friend (and it true Sadie fashion had one HUGE meltdown).  We met up with some friends from our small group and had a GREAT night of fun...