Crazy weekend!

We've had some busy, fun weekends this month.  We've went to Colorado twice and to Lincoln once. We've watched some football, skied, rode a train, and had fun with family.

We got the boys all geared up to go skiing

Grandpa and Grandma got to sit with the boys at the last Husker game

We had fun roasting marshmallows at the Hains. 

Isaac helping me make cookies for our second trip to Colorado

It was actually snowy for the Santa train this year!

Isaac is ready to ski!

In Isaac's words, "That was awesome!"

This is Isaac skiing.  I wish I would have gotten a video of him later in the day, but the camera battery died and unfortunately I didn't get any video or pictures on the camera of Brodie at all. 

Luckily Abel did get a few photos/videos of Brodie on his phone.

I'm not sure who's happier we are back home

My Grandmother

My grandma turned 90 this summer.  I've been thinking a lot about her since that time.  I've been thinking about all of the good times I had at her house when I was young, of all the noise in her house, of all the delicious food she makes, of her kind heart that helps out anyone in need, of the stories of her childhood, of her love of Jesus, and of her love of her family.

I have so many memories from my grandparent's house in DuBois.  I remember walking into their house and always smelling something wonderful cooking.  I remember eating lots and lots food and washing lots and lots of dishes.  I remember a big garden and fields of popcorn.  I remember cats wondering around outside the house, although no one claimed to like them.  I remember card games being played around the kitchen table and sometimes over the top of the kitchen table.  When I think of my grandparents house in DuBois, I think of laughter, loudness, a few swear words, but mostly love and happiness.  I think of family!

I also remember many hours of fun playing with my cousins when I was at my grandparent's house.  I remember playing "The Price is Right" - I think I was always Bob Barker somehow :)   I remember making up shows that we preformed for our parents.  I remember walking to the park in DuBois and not being able to leave because our younger cousins were having too much fun.  I remember some kind of water fight that the older cousins had that I somehow missed out on.

I recall other fun times away from their home.  I remember fishing on sunny days.  I remember a camping trip that involved a raccoon stealing a loaf of bread from my grandparent's tent.  I remember my grandmother giving me a beautiful quilt at my high school graduation. 

When I think of my grandmother, I think of her heart.  I remember spending a week at my grandparents house and my grandmother comforting me after I found out my dog had been injured while I had been away.  I remember her caring for foster kids as her own.  I remember her caring for Grandpa Walt as if he were her family.  I love how my grandmother thinks of others before herself! 

I remember hearing stories of my grandmother's childhood and hearing how different it was from mine.  I remember her telling me about her loving mother, which wasn't all that different from mine. 

When I think of my grandmother, I think of her faith.  Since I was young, it has been evident that she loves Jesus and that she will not sacrifice anything for her faith.  Her faith has carried her through all the tough times in her life and added to the joy of the happy times. 

So, as we near Thanksgiving, I want to tell you Grandma, that I am so thankful for you!  I am so thankful for all of the fun times I spent at your house, for the stories you have told, and for the love you have shown! I am thankful for the life lessons I have learned from you.  I am so proud to call you my grandmother!  I LOVE YOU!!

Teacher conferences

Well, it is that time of year for teacher conferences.  Brodie's was first and his teacher only had good things to say.  She couldn't even think of an area for him to improve, so we were very happy.  He made this folder for all of his teacher conference stuff to go into.

Isaac had his conference today.  He had a great report also.  His teachers agree that he is going to be a lefty.  The teachers had Isaac answer questions about his favorites, such as color, food, ect.  When asked what his favorite thing to do was, he said, "play with his brother." 

We had some fun in the snow this week.  Too bad it is all gone now.   The puppies loved the snow.  They would just stick their faces right down in it.  The pics were taken in the afternoon, so there was really quite a bit more snow in the morning. 

A fun family game of UNO before bed

Musical entertainment!

Isaac bought a toy guitar when we were in Mexico.  The boys had fun making up songs and dances for us when were on vacation.  We loved the entertainment!  Here is a little taste of the music:

Halloween Fun!

We had a busy, fun filled Halloween!  Both boys had parties at their school.

Isaac's party was first.

The football player and cheerleader

Isaac was Kenny Bell for Halloween.  Isaac loves Kenny Bell.  His preschool teacher told us that when all the kids line up to race, the other kids say they are cheetah's or jaguar's.  Isaac says he is Kenny Bell!

Brodie's party was next.  I was helping with the school party, so unfortunately didn't get any pictures.  Brodie was Laval, a lego character from "Chima."

Getting his costume on

We went trick or treating at the Country Club again.  We rode on a hay rack ride and got off at houses to trick or treat.  We had a great time!

We went to a friends house last weekend and had a Halloween party.

There was a monster to greet us

Race to find the hidden candy

Good friends!

A witch came to read a Halloween story

There was a spooky monster hidden down in the basement

He was found only after going down the stairs and through a tunnel

Isaac is getting closer

He was a little more scary in the dark.  Wes wasn't so fond of the monster.

There was also the witches brew story which Isaac keeps talking about.  He wants to know where that witch is.  Maybe we will find her next year....