Halloween and Thanksgiving

Yes, I realize that it has been almost three months since I last posted anything.  It is amazing how I have let the time slip away.  However, we have been keeping ourselves very busy since October with various activities.  It is strange that my fist picture, here, still has green grass with soccer players. That's not so very different from how Christmas was spent, this year, though.  

 Gracie finished up soccer season and loved every bit of it.  We have yet to try something that she doesn't like doing.  Of course, I still can't get her to try piano lessons.

This year we tried a few new things for Halloween.  The first was Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo.  Gracie and Owen loved going there but were disappointed with not being able to see as many animals as they would have during the summer.  It was still fun for them and they loved getting all the candy.  I think we'll probably do it again next year.

Gracie, Owen, and Jack ready to go trick or treating.

Owen found Curious George at the zoo.

Gracie posing in front of the zoo.  Owen refused to be in the picture.

This year Gracie requested that I join her for her Halloween party at school, so I got to go on their costumer parade down Main Street in Slater.  I was also in charge of the Bingo game for their party at school.  Gracie and I made Halloween popcorn balls to take for treats.  

The weened prior to Halloween we spent at the lake.  It was beautiful and we got to take the boat out for the last time of the season.  No swimming, of course, but it was fun to get out on the water again.

Somewhere in there, Annie came up and we got to celebrate her birthday.  Yummy cheesecake!

Another picture at the lake.  Nick was nice enough to buy some pumpkins to carve and leave down there for Grandma and Grandpa.

Another new event that we tried this year was a hayrack ride and bonfire to celebrate Halloween out in our area.  This was a huge success and the kids loved it!  Nick borrowed a couple hay racks and we went from house to house around the Dream Lake area with kids piled on top.  Following the hayride, we lit a fire to stay warm and continued to celebrate Halloween.

Our huge fire!

Gracie has now lost 4 teeth.  She lost one at school and it made it to the neighbors' house after school, but never made it home.  She wrote a letter to the tooth fairy explaining her situation.  Miraculously, the tooth fairy still came and delivered her silver dollar.

Nick and I took a little trip up to Minnesota, attending the Garth Brooks concert. 

Thanksgiving!

Crazy that we had snow on Thanksgiving and none for Christmas this year.  Owen and Gracie both gave snowboarding a try, just at Grandma's though.  These are a few pics of the sledding/boarding adventures.  It was fun to get outside and play.

Owen trying snowboarding for the first time

Gracie taking Mallory down the hill

Gracie gives snowboarding a try

Owen holding the snowboard.

All of these things occurred between October and November.  Plus we started basketball, wrestling, and my internship for school.  We also continued with dance and gymnastics. We had conferences for both kids, which both went well. Gracie had her Thanksgiving feast at school, which both Nick and I attended.  It seems like I'm forgetting some things, which I'm sure I am, but I think I hit on the most important stuff.  To be continued...