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Just Hanging Around

Fall in Idaho is limited - it doesn't seem to last long enough. I love sweater weather, the changing leaves, and the beginning of hot chocolate season.

The kids are eager to get outside and play before the weather changes to freezing.

Dance Snack

Every Tuesday, Madi has dance class. So we hurry home, change clothes, pull up hair, and have a CHEESE snack. She looks forward to dance all week long and is already wishing she was enrolled in more than one class so she could go more often.

A busy weekend

I guess you could say the weekend activities started late Thursday night with a blowout game. The kids were out late - we didn't get home until 1:00 p.m., surprising the kids were awake the entire time.

Gabe had his own little fan club. He sure is a ladies man.

This little guy is now 3. Gabe's birthday is the day before Halloween. The kids had heard about Boo at the Zoo on the radio all week and so Gabe decided that's what he wanted to do for his birthday. Boo at the Zoo and eat at a pizza restaurant. We went early on Friday to the zoo in order to avoid the crowds. The kids had a great time. Gabe of course was hilarious. He occasionally let out a roar and even screamed at the sight of some kid dressed up like a skeleton. Madi was a bit nervous at times but all in all had a great time.

The pumpkin walk had several of these picture boards. We took the kids to the pumpkin walk just after the carnival. Again, we went early to avoid the crowds. Trick-or-Treating was from 4 to 7 and we were through looking at all of the displays by 3:30.

The Halloween carnival at the school was a fun afternoon activity. Madi loved the games, but again was a bit nervous with all of the people. She's our little worrier.

The spiders in Rusty's hair were a big hit with the kids. When Gabe or Madi found one on the floor they shouted out "SPIDER EMERGENCY", and picked it up to be placed back into her hair. I was surprised Gabe would even touch the things - he's is deathly afraid of spiders, fake or real.

Here's Madi practicing her dance moves on her "stage". She's got it going on.

Sunday I took a few family photos for Jeremy and Carol.

A Hero

I love that my kids enjoy playing (and fighting) with each other - they are the best of friends. Some time ago Madi looked at Gabe across the dinner table and said "Gabe, you're a hero." So cute. Even cuter was his response - "I am not a hero, I don't have wings YET!" So sweet. I wonder when his wings will appear? Of course a post is never complete without a picture.

Gabe is such a funny kid - one of the first things people comment about when they meet him is his personality. The kids is just so darn funny. One afternoon on our way to the cabin, Gabe came across this predator call in the truck and had to try it out. He blew and blew until Madi just COULDN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE. And since Madi just couldn't taken any more of the noise, he stopped and we put the call away and again there was quiet.

Last Sunday, I went to visit my friend Chenoa and her amazing family in Swan Valley. She let me take pictures of her kids. Chenoa and Mike just finished the two and a half year pain-staking process of adopting Djeulisa and Chrisnaider. They are siblings from Haiti and they sure are cute. I'm excited to see their progress over the next few months and years. Rowan is almost 2; Djeulis is 5; and Chrisnaider is almost 9.

Spud Day

September 19, 2009,

If you live near Shelley, Idaho and have never been to Spud Day, you are definitely missing out. I think they have the best parade around and who can't resist a free baked potato with all the trimmings. The weather was a little on the hot side, but at least it didn't rain or snow.

The kids loved the parade. Gabe was excited about the big farm equipment and big trucks. Madi liked the cheerleaders and Miss Russet. The 007 demolition car you see in the picture was Madi's version of a 'brand new car'.