Friends!

This weekend the Seedall family came to visit us! We surprised the kids and didn't tell them they were coming (and the Seedall kids didn't know either until they were here!) They knocked on our door and Sophie answered and Ryan said, "boo!" and Sophie said, "Didn't scare me!" Then she got this shocked look on her face as she realized who was at our door!

They came on Thursday night and left Sunday morning so we had lots of fun in two days!

Wesley and Benny playing in the balls together. On Friday we went to the zoo:

We went to our ward's trunk-or-treat party. Ruth and I went as hillbilly sisters (with their baby dragons...)

Wesley got a sucker in the car on the way home and he was pretty excited about it!

The big kids all slept in the girls room and had a great time whispering, reading and giggling until late.

They did fall asleep pretty good the second night since they were so worn out. Maddie was so tired she fell asleep reading her book!

Early morning cartoon watching. Most of the kids were all up by 630.

We made donuts one morning...

Carved pumpkins...

Saturday morning Benny fell off a chair and cut his lip :( Poor little guy. I have a neighbor who is a nurse and her husband is an EMT so they came and looked at it and said it would be ok.

The boys playing trains...

Miles and Eliza playing on the top bunk, just like they did in Michigan!

We went to the park and took family pictures and played...

We also went to Ella's Deli but my camera battery was dead. It was a lot of fun to have them come and see us in Wisconsin! We sure miss being neighbors but look forward to seeing them in Utah when we head out west for a visit.

October happenings

A few things we've done this month:

Joined our ward in doing a service project at a school in Madison!

The girls had an Open House at their school where we all got to go tour the school and check out the fun things they are doing. I have been impressed with their school, and their teachers, so far!

We've gone to the park - a lot! We live within walking distance to 4-5 great parks. We've been taking advantage of the beautiful fall weather and spending lots of time at them.

Lots of reading! It's fun to compare the differences in the kids, or maybe I should say "celebrate their differences" since I'm not comparing because it matters in the least. Nora hasn't picked up reading as quickly as Sophie did so she is just now starting to be able to really read more than just very simple books on her own, and is loving that she can sit and read a book to the boys. But it must be said that she is pretty darn good with numbers, and that is the area that is harder for Sophie. I really love to see the different strengths that they have. Sophie decided to read Harry Potter! However, she got to the end of the 1st one and got a bit scared, so I read it too and then read the end to her. She has decided to wait until she's older to keep reading. I, however, finished the first 3 books in a week and am using great restraint to get some things accomplished before starting up again! I didn't completely neglect everyone though, I took the boys to the park and the library and let them play while I read, then Brian had lots of meetings so I would read again at night while he was gone! :)The kids have had fun skating and biking outside!

A quick visit!

A few weeks ago Naunie and Grampa came for a quick visit (they got here on Friday and left on Monday!) Brian was called as the 2nd counselor in the bishopric of our ward so we asked John to come and set him apart as a High Priest. We didn't tell the kids they were coming and they were so excited when Brian pulled up in the car with Naunie and Grampa in it! We had a great time having them here! We walked to the lake by our house and played:

We went to the zoo:And walked to a park by our house and fished and played:

The kids and I drove them to the airport on Monday and we were sad to see them go, but so glad they were able to come!

Love him.

I took advantage of the nice weather today to get some One Year pictures of Wesley:

The back of his hair is always sticking up like this :)

And we're done...