October Happenings

The month started off with Matthew and I celebrating our 11th wedding anniversary:)  To celebrate we left town for a night and went to Kansas City to see one of our favorite singers perform live, Sara Bareilles.  She was in a smaller venue, the sound was wonderful and the view great too.  We ate at a yummy brewery along the walk to the show and enjoyed a $12 adult beverage at the show (yes, that's correct $12!!:).  We could only stay one night and had to rush back the next morning, but it was a wonderful, fast get-away:)

Mom also celebrated her birthday the 5th of October.  Both Shannon's family and ours were able to make it to her house for supper on a Friday night.  I think Mom enjoyed herself and has been using her new Fitbit pedometer that we got her.

Lanie invited her friend Camlyn over for a playdate one Saturday night in October.  They have been friends since they were 3 years old and love playing together.  That afternoon they played Little People, house, dress-up, and then after supper we played Fibber together.  She can't wait to have him over again:)

When Lanie got to have a playdate, Carter went to a birthday party.  I was so grateful to get some pictures sent to me (thank you iphones!) from the host of the party.  They went to a pumpkin patch and then had a sleepover.

Carter applied for a position of Board of Directors at our school's Lil' Cubs Bank that is partnered with our State Bank here in town.  We were so pleased that he was accepted for this position! He goes to work every other Wednesday at 7:30 - 8:15 at the "bank".  He's learned a lot about being responsible, advertising, and customer service.

Joy and I did the annual Run for the Roses in Ames and we had many great friends join us this year!  We were so happy to expand:)  The hills were crazy along the 5K route that we ran, but the delicious breakfast and time to chat afterwards made up for it.

Lanie's girl scout troop has nicely expanded to some more girls.  They decided their first Brownie badge to earn would be the First Aid badge.  Here we are on a beautiful fall day, for a hike with a naturalist to learn about poisonous plants and what to do if we are hurt in nature.

Sara Bareilles!!

I was able to be Lanie and Carter's chaperone on our October field trip to Iowa State University and Brunnier Art Museum.  It was a great day that I think both kids enjoyed and learned from.  Here they are outside the museum for one of the rotations making a bird feeder out of cheerios, string, and wire.

We also celebrate Matthew's birthday this month, and lots of family got to come help us.  I invited everyone over for Sunday night supper and we were so glad most everyone could join us:)

Finally got Carter's football pictures back...doesn't he look so mature!  The Titans White 3rd/4th grade team did an amazing job this season!  They finished the regular season 5 - 0 which earned them a place in the finals tournament.  They lost in the first round, but fought hard.  We were so thankful for the coaches' time and hard work with the boys.  

Lanie was invited to a friend's Halloween Costume Party where she dressed up as a modern devil.  They ate ALOT of delicious food, all Halloween themed, danced to music, and played games including bob for apples.  I wasn't sure how she'd do, but within seconds, she popped her head up with an apple in her mouth:)  Proud Mommy moment!

We took advantage of a Gigi's Playhouse event at Howell's Pumpkin Patch.  It was a beautiful fall day and Matthew even took off work to come with us:)  We rode a hay rack ride, go -carts, did a corn maze, made mud pies, climbed hay bales, touched goats, and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon together.

My ghostbuster and devil:)

The kids got to hear an amazing Flute duo named In Sterio at school and right away Carter made the connection to the flute that Matthew and I brought him home from Ireland.  We have such wonderful teachers at school that they let Carter come into Lanie's room to share that connection with her.