Happy Halloween!!!!

Happy Halloween! We have been busy the past week. I am finishing up my huge senior project, which I present next Wednesday. Today I have to write a paper for a different class. Anyway, enought of that. My pictures got all goofy. I am not sure what happened. Sorry. This past week Ava had her Fall program at preschool. They had to dress up as farmers. I had to be at clinical early in the morning so Brian had to put her hair in pigtails. I thought he did a super job! Then we carved our pumpkins. Ava loved it and Hayden like it but he just wanted to ride his bike. They were both very proud of their pumpkins! Then I had to make Halloween treats for Hayden's class for their party. We made scarecrow cookies. I think they turned out really cute and the kids had fun making them. Also, we got their costumes in the mail on Tuesday. Brian's mom made them and they are absolutely adorable!!!! I will have more pictures of them in their costumes after tonight.

Ava during her program. For the first half she stood there with her arms crossed and she kept saying, "Mommy, Mommy....." Then she warmed up and did everything the last half of the program

Ava said she loved her pumpkin and gave it a kiss

Ava and Daddy cleaning out her pumpkin

Hayden in his elephant costume

Ava in her farmer outfit

Ava participating in her program

This is Hayden walking around in Daddy's shoes

Showing off their pumpkins

Hayden with his pumpkin

Hayden cleaning out his pumpkin

Ava with her pumpkin

I got tagged.... Again!

Ok, so I got tagged by a couple of people. I am just now able to post my response. I am supposed to post the directions but I have no idea how to get the picture with the directions on my blog (I know, big surprise). Anyway, I am supposed to write 7 facts/weird things about myself and then tag more people to do the same. So here it goes:

1. According to Hayden I am a "good sprayer." Explanation: I was spraying out the sink the other day and he was watching me very closely and was super quiet. When I was done he said very seriously, "Mom, you are a good sprayer." I found this to be very funny and thoughtful!

2. I do have a tattoo on the left side of my foot. It is a small icthus (spelling?) with a cross in it. I got in high school, illegally without a parent signature. I did get in a lot of trouble when my mom found out my senior year in high school and I wasn't allowed to go on my senior trip.

3. I played soccer for Anderson University. I was the "sweeper" (which is defense for those of you who don't know what that it).

4. I am not a morning person at all. I thought that would change with having children, not so much. I am more awake at night. That is why I am glad that I will be working third shift.

5. I always take my own sheets and pillow when I go to a hotel. I get made fun of for doing this. It is just one of those things I do.

6. I have to check silverware before eating with them. I check them at restaurants and even my own home. It drives Brian crazy!

7. I used to be an elementary school teacher in Indiana. I have taught Kindergarten, fourth grade and gifted/talented classes. I have to say, I really do miss the school atmosphere and teaching.

Ok, here are the next people to be tagged: You can go to Jill's or Danielle's blog to see the actual directions

Anne
Megan
Hollie
Gretchen
Krissy
Katie

Homecoming at AU...

We just got back from a great weekend in Indiana. We spent the weekend with Brian's brother, wife, and two kids. It was relaxing and Hayden and Ava had a great time with their cousins, Emma and Mason. We left early afternoon on Friday and got to Noblesville, Indiana where they live about 5pm. We ate some yummy pizza and packed everyone up to go to Anderson, Indiana where Anderson University was starting their Homecoming events. That is where Brian and I met and went to college. On Friday night they have illuminaries outlining the entire campus and it is so pretty. Especially in the valley part of the college. We have taken the kids there when they were babies and haven't been able to go back since because it has rained the past years. My main goal was to get Hayden's picture in front of the AU sign because his middle name is "Anderson" after the town and college because that is where we met! So I was able to do that, finally! The kids ate donut holes and drank hot apple cider and had fun walking around the campus. Saturday morning the girls woke up at 6am writing notes and delivering them to us. So cute but not so much at 6am. We went to Emma's soccer game and then went back to their house to relax and let the kids play. Then early afternoon we left for dinner and we ate at Red Robin (yummy!) Then we drove downtown Indy so Brian could see the new Colt's stadium. It was very impressive. I stayed busy every evening studying for a test and working on my huge senior project which is due in 2 weeks. We woke up Sunday morning to eat breakfast and to get on the road. I had to work Sunday afternoon. Anyway, it was a great weekend.

Ava and Emma

Hayden, Ava, Emma and Mason

Having fun walking in the valley

The picture I have been waiting for!

Oh, sweet memories!

Ava at Emma's soccer game

Emma taking a break from the game

Hayden enjoying his popcorn at the game

Cute cousins

Silly faced girls

Silly faced Hayden

Colt's Stadium

I got tagged.....

Here is my 6th picture in my photo file. I keep my photo files by year. So this was taken in January '08. This is my mom, Aunt Julie, and Ava on the train to Chicago. We took Ava to the American Girl Store for the first time. We had a great time!

I am tagging:
Megan
Hollie
Anne
Danielle

A Fall Evening

This evening we took the kids to a local park. It was beautiful out tonight! The leaves are changing, some leaves are on the ground, and the kids were excited to get out as a family. School has been keeping me busy so I thought we needed to do something to focus on the kids. When we left Hayden said, "That was fun!" That made it special because I knew they appreciated going to the park as a family!

Hayden was trying to climb the tree

Ava said, "Mommy, take my picture while I am singing." So, I did.

White Sox Win! (Last night)

Yesterday Brian and I went to Chicago to watch the White Sox play. We had a great day together as husband and wife! We went to church and then left after the service. My mom and dad watched H and A for the day. They had fun going out to Mackinaw for a picnic and pug rides. Then they got to eat at Steak 'N Shake for dinner. They enjoyed every minute with their Grammy and Grampy! So, back to us. We took our time getting to the stadium. Big mistake. When we got there the traffic was terrible. They had a messed up system for parking. We ended up going around in a square and ending up where we started. Then we had to pay $22 for parking. We got to our seats which were all the way to the top. It was very cold and windy up there. There was a rain delay so we didn't miss any of the game. The rain quit and the sun came out. Play ball!!!!! It was an exciting game to watch. I really don't like baseball plus I had to study for my three hour written midterm today. I was studying my notes and the guys next to us said, "Are you studying?" I know that is dedication. My midterm today was brutal. My brain is mush! Anyway, the White Sox won. Ok, I have to bring this up. What is it with people, mostly men, that when there is a good play they have to high 5 everyone around them. They didn't make the play. I just think it is so funny when people do that. So, Brian kept asking me, "Do you wanna high 5?" So annoying. Anyways, we hurried to get to our car because we were freezing. I even had wind burn on my face. It took us forever to get out of our parking area and on the road home. We got home at a decent time and I went straight to bed. Enjoy our pictures!

Brian sitting in the top row with our yummy nachos!

The little black dots are the people getting the tarp off so they could play

The view from our seats

The real reason we were there, Ken Griffey Jr. He is Brian's all time favorite player

Me studying for my midterm

NICU Miracle Walk

What a perfect day for a walk along the riverfront. That is what we did this morning. It was the second annual "Small Wonders Miracle Walk" this morning at the Riverplex. There was a great turn out. We had a little over 100 people last year and 300 were signed up this year! There was a silent auction (which we did win some baskets), bouncey play thing, balloon maker guy, games for the kids, different agencies, and refreshments. We saw a lot of nurses who took care of the kiddos and one of the neonatologist too. Megan and her two sisters came and so did Ashley and her boyfriend. We had a fun morning!! Here are some pictures. H and A were not in the mood for pictures.

Before we left for the walk

Us with Grammy and Aunt Julie

We had these pinned to the back of our shirts

Grammy getting warmed up for the walk

Ashley, me and Megan