Trick Or Treating with Grandma Great

The kids thought Grandma Great would like to see them in their costumes. They were right! She was so happy to see them, as were the others that live in her nursing home. Grandma Great was having a great day and was able to truly enjoy our visit. The kids not only look forward to seeing her, but also to seeing the huge fish tank in the dining room. Grandma finally gave up trying to compete for their attention and just decided to hang out at the fish tank with them. I guess 88 years of wisdom helps you pick your battles wisely! It was a special visit.

Trick Or Treat

Halloween 2008. This year we couldn't have had better weather. It was a mild evening with very little breeze. Each year the girls go a little further around the neighborhood. Megan and I stayed out another thirty minutes after Eric and Claire cried uncle. Ian was done too (done yelling at me to open another piece!). Aunt Jenny and Uncle Mark, their boys, and all the Zimmermans joined us too! This was the first time that all the cousins got to trick-or-treat together, which was fantastic. It was a great holiday!

Zoo BOO!

Each year, we really look forward to Halloween at the Zoo. They keep it open a little later, decorate everything, and even hand out candy. The kids really love another opportunity to wear their costumes too. Claire was quite a hit as Wall-E. She got tons of comments and lots of kids were pointing her out to their parents. Good job, Eric, for making such a cool costume. Megan went pretty much unrecognized as Ming-Ming from Wonder Pets, but she's a trail-blazer. Next year everyone will be a Wonder Pet. Ian wore our beloved Elmo costume that all our kids wear for their 2nd Halloween. Mommy was Minnie Mouse, and Daddy was super creative and went as a Mechanical Engineer for Chip Ganassi Racing. When Claire asked what he was, he said he was the coolest Dad. Oh, ok.

Papa's Birthday

For Papa's Birthday this year, he wanted to go to Metamora. It's a small town in southern Indiana that is all shops. Most of the people live in their stores. It's very quaint and very charming. His sister, Ginger, has a store there called Ginni V's. The Witcher-Brashers, Mom and Dad, and the Strauss's were all available that day. We walked the town, had the most bland bean soup in history for lunch, and tailgated with birthday cake! It's just the way Dad like to spend his birthdays...or any day for that matter.

Sweet Briar Kids, Unite!

I was in my house and the kids were all outside. I noticed I hadn't heard them for a few minutes (never a good sign) so I went out to check on them. What I found was adorable. Completely without being asked, my three along with the three boys next door were raking leaves. They actually did a pretty nice job too!

Pumpkin Patch, the sweaty version

Who knew we'd be sweaty, miserable beasts at the pumpkin patch in late October? But that's precisely what we were. Despite the heat, we did it all...animals, rides, games, and pumpkins. It's even more fun this year now that Ian is no longer stroller bound and can join in the fun with his sisters.

Halloween at Dance Class

We truly got our money's worth (or time's worth since they were homemade this year) out of their costumes. Their first opportunity to wear them was to dance class. All the dancers come to class dressed up the week of Halloween. Even their teacher, Miss Sue wears her giant pumpkin costume. They were a bit cumbersome and Megan's even suffered some popped stiches, but they were determined to wear them! Megan was Ming-Ming the superhero duck from Wonderpets and Claire was Wall-E (yes, we're still in the midst of that obsession).