Halloween Fun

Look quick at the horse! Because it didn't last long! Sam wore his horse costume for about 5 min Wed night to a festival, and 20 min Thurs night, and 5 min on Halloween. Thankfully I had thrown in a pumpkin sweatshirt so at least he looked festive, but he really didn't care. He really just cared about how many suckers he could eat in an hour! We had a great time at Lawndale's R eformation Party then on to Katie and Talmadge's to hang out and eat with some of their friends. Sarah Caroline got to spend some time with her best buddies in the neighborhood. So thankful the candy is almost gone now!!

The Moment I Want to Scream

One day I thought I might scream - the boys were chasing each other around and around the house and being very loud. Isn't that what boys are supposed to do?? I'm still learning, even after 6 1/2 years of having a boys (growing up with sisters is VERY different!). Just when I thought I was going to lose it... this is what I see. Ben and Luke at being dogs. Lapping water out of bowls. On my newly mopped floors. And instead of going crazy, I started laughing and grabbed the camera. This is what I'm going to miss in a few years. This is what I'm going to remember the most. This is what I love about having them!

MSU Fun!

Go Dawgs! We have had fun this fall going to the State football games!! The kids have enjoyed being at State and learning about football, and it is some fun family time!

Sam's School and Stitches

Sam started two year old preschool after Labor Day, and as the picture shows all three boys now have had stitches. He fell as he was climbing on the kitchen counter (and I was right beside him) and busted his chin. Once again, it was a weekend, so we went up to Marcus' office and he stitched him up. He said he liked school, but he is not much of a talker. I asked him a million questions on the way home, and he answered "yes" to them all with a groan, like "please leave me alone!"

Back to School

Wow! We can't believe we suddenly have 3 out of 4 children in school! It is so hard to believe that this time has come. It is bittersweet - much easier for the day to day life, and fun to see them becoming more independent. But also sad that the time has gone by so quickly. It was just yesterday that we were all piled up at home playing with nowhere to go and no schedules to follow other than lunchtime, naptime, and bedtime! We are so blessed to have three great teachers this year! We also love our neighborhood tradition of walking to school together the first day. It is fun for the kids and parents to go as a group, although sad for the older girls this year they had to change schools and leave Church St. But they all are enjoying their school years very much and we are so grateful!

Twin Lakes Camp

We were so blessed to spend a week at Twin Lakes Camp this summer! It was so much fun for the whole family! Marcus was a camp doctor, which was actually a fair amount of work the first day, but a nice vacation after that. Ben and Sarah Caroline were campers, and Luke and Sam and Marcus and I stayed in a great lodge next to the infirmary. We were ready to move in permanently!! The entire week I did not have to think about when or what we were going to eat - we just walked over the the dining hall, sat down, and got up when we were finished!! I did not have to clean or cook or go run errands all week!! We played and took naps and read - what a treat!!! It was fun watching all of the campers have a blast! They loved it! The most fun was watching the boys on "boys only night" get ready with war paint, learn how to march, go through a mud pit (which by the way smelled horrid!). Thankfully they went through hoses and a slip and slide before they went back for showers. The staff are wonderful, godly people and it was a joy to get to know them! What a great way to spend a week of summer vacation!!

Summer Pics in November?

I do realize I continue to post pictures several months behind, but I do not want to miss having these fun memories on my blog. MAYBE one day I will catch up and stay caught up, but for now I will just keep posting very late!!

Smith Lake Fun!

We had such a fun trip this summer with Mimi and DoDad to Smith Lake! The past few years we have had a great lake trip with the Bullard family all together, and this was one of the most fun! The home that we stayed in was beautiful, and with the kids being a little older it is a little easier to enjoy it all! Sarah Caroline almost got up on water skis, and Ben, Luke and Sarah Caroline loved knee boarding. Sam even rode in the inner tube behind the boat! VERY SLOW!! Uncle Talmadge was very patient to entertain us all with driving the boat! Luke became very independent with the kayak, and was pretty content kayaking around the cove by himself most of the time. Sam and Graham took more notice of each other, which was fun for us to see. And of course we ate a lot! Thanks, Mom and Dad, for a fun vacation! Thanks, Rebecca and Justin and Katie and Talmadge for putting up with us and our kiddos for several days!!

Not the best picture, but Katie insists we have pictures made despite our appearances, after all, how will we remember these fun times with no pictures!

Mimi celebrated her birthday while at the lake, and we won't say what number. But we have pictures of her skiing, and how many grandmothers out there water ski???. We are so proud of having such "youthful" grandparents!!

Sam and Graham checking each other out!

Sarah Caroline is wondering why there are no pics of her on the knee board or skiis. ???? She really was there. I think I was videoing the events, and I don't know why Marcus and I didn't split that job up better. We never are very organized about this!!

Ueltschey Reunions

In June we had a weekend full of reunions in Forest. The most interesting was a ceremony and reception to reveal a new historical marker for the Ueltschey Tannery in Morton. We had the chance to see many several Ueltschey cousins as well as visit with several state senators who came for the big event. This marker had been destroyed over time, and over the past several years the Morton Homemakers raised the funds to have the sign replaced. Marcus shared with the group the history of Albert Ueltschey, his great great grandfather, who founded the tannery during the Civil War. We were all relieved when the sign was "unveiled" that the spelling of the family name was correct!!

There was also a family reunion later that same day with another part of the Ueltschey family, which Marcus and his brother and two of our kids made an appearance for. That same night, he had a small get together with some high school friends who were in town. What a weekend of reunions!

Special Father's Day

Our kids certainly do love their Daddy, and this year he was given a really special gift! Luke had the idea that Daddy needed a new "toy" rifle like his real one, so that they could all play guns together. But also part of the deal was that Ben and Luke needed some new guns too! Of course I thought it was a great idea so Luke and I did some special WalMart shopping this year in the toy department. What a fun gift! I think he was thrilled, but I know the kids were glad to get new toys too! Is that being creative or manipulative? Let's just say it was creative for the sake of fun!