Fall - Part 3

OK I know it is a little embarrassing that I am just putting these pictures on here now, but what can I say? These were taken at a pumpkin patch when our friends the Bostons came to visit for Owen's blessing. It was kind of a hokey little pumpkin patch, but it worked and the kids had a good time.

On a hay ride. It was like 85 degrees that day. Sounds lovely right now, as this morning it was 12 degrees (!!!)

Maralee and Jack.

On the hunt for the perfect pumpkin.

Found it!

And the picture I most wanted to include was Owen's blessing day :)

I think I'm ready for Christmas now - bring it on!!

Hooray for nice people!

This morning was frantic trying to get the boys out the door for school (pretty much like every morning.) Winter complicates things because we have to locate hats, gloves, etc in addition to shoes and backpacks. But anyway the bus pulled up and the boys weren't ready yet, so all the other kids lined up and got on, while we just watched through our front door. Argh!! I had to walk away for a minute to collect myself because I was just so frustrated. But anyway, when I came back I noticed that the bus was still stopped in front of our house - he was waiting for us!! I guess the bus driver could see us through the storm door. So I rushed the boys out and I ran out too to thank the bus driver for waiting an extra minute so they could catch the bus. He smiled and waved as the bus drove off.

I love nice people.

Fall - Part 2

HALLOWEEN! So I lucked out because the kids decided they wanted to use their same costumes as last year (!!!!) I of course had to complete the Star Wars theme so I picked up a Yoda costume for Owen.

OK Keith decided to be a cowboy for trick-or-treating, but everyone else is Star Wars at least...

Apparently Yoda is happier when he's asleep.

Princess Leia is also a repeat of last year. I know I didn't need to include pics again but I just LOVE THE BUNS.

Fall - Part 1

Some of the stuff we've been up to :)

Anyone know where this is? A replica of the greek Parthenon, I had no idea there was one in Nashville! Who woulda thought?

This is the part the boys enjoyed...

We checked out the Grand Ole Opry house. It was kind of crazy because the area is still recovering from the flooding this last spring. There is a mall and a supposedly amazing hotel there but it was all closed for remodeling.

We would have loved to have seen a show, but with 4 kids? No way.

We met up with Keith's sister Jen and her husband Ryan in Nashville. It was great to see them!

We stopped in Lousiville on our way to Tennesse and went to the Louisville Slugger museum. Really cool.

We also checked out Marengo cave in southern Indiana.

A day of tennis and hiking in Bloomington....

Yes we are still here

I can't believe it has been over a month since I have put anything on this blog. It just goes to show how busy I have been. It's a very odd busy too, because I feel like I am running around crazy all day long and then at night when I go to bed - thoroughly exhausted - I wonder what in the world did I do all day, because the house is still a mess and I didn't knock anything off of my to-do list. Very strange, but I guess that is life with a baby :)

I will do another post with pics from our recent activities, so this is it for now...

My cute happy boy!

Kate is such a good helper! I love the expression on Owen's face....

I don't believe Keith is actually looking at Owen here (ESPN was on.)

Must have fallen asleep playing Angry Birds on the Ipad....

Oh and somehow the picture of Kate's birthday cake got left off the last post, but I can't leave out Keith's handiwork so here it is!!

Hello Kitty girl

Kate is three! We had a whole weekend of celebrating, including a trip to Build-A-Bear and dinner at the Olive Garden (they were late with our food so we scored free desserts - yes!) Keith also put his artistic skills to use and produced a Hello Kitty cake. Kate has been telling everybody - including complete strangers - for months that she is having a Hello Kitty party so we couldn't let her down :) She loved being the center of attention and knowing it was HER day and HER party. What a cutie.

Yay! Flowers from daddy!

Posing for the camera with different expressions....I think this is her "mad" face. I laughed when she did this, because this is definitely NOT what her mad face looks like!

Who is she planning to kiss???

All her loot. This is one lucky kid!

Happy birthday Kate! We love you!

Hoosiers

Indiana. What do I say? The last month has been kind of a roller coaster, but I think I have decided that I can handle it here, and maybe even like it a little. Lately we have been doing this thing with the kids where they rate things on a scale of 1 to 10. So I think I'll do that with Indiana.

The weather: 8

Actually it's been kind of hot and sticky here, but the warmth just feels so NICE because it reminds me we are in a warmer climate, with a shorter winter and more tolerable temperatures as things cool off. At least that's what I'm anticipating. Indiana, don't let me down.

The people: 10+

I don't think I have ever lived anywhere where everyone from the mail man to the bagger at the grocery store is so stinking NICE. And it's completely genuine too. Sometimes they are almost too friendly, like do I really need to hear your entire life story? Cute accents too. I love it. Even the hillbillies/hicks/hoosiers are friendly and make me laugh. I can't believe these people actually exist, missing teeth and all!! A little bit of culture shock but I'm working through it.....

The roads: 3

Super narrow and windy, with no shoulder at all. And the same road will have 3 different names depending on which section of the road you are on. So driving is kind of unpleasant, which leads me to the next topic...

The radio stations: 2

All I can find are country stations, and 80's music that I haven't actually heard since the 80s. It's killing me. But's that's ok, I'll just focus on looking at what's around me (assuming I can stay on the road doing it!)

The scenery: 9

Rolling hills, trees, really it is just a beautiful part of the country.

Shopping: 4

Target: yes. H&M: no. Gap: no. Costco: no. So yeah the shopping could be better, but that is what the internet is for, right? Plus we could always go to Indy, which is only an hour or so away....

Food/restaurants: 6

We have Panera which is good, but no Culvers (Cameron is dying, he loves that place). There is a Chipotle.... I'll take it, although it is a lame substitute for Cafe Rio. The best part is that our favorite ice cream - Graeters - is sold at the local grocery store. How in the world am I going to lose the last 5 - ok 10 - alright closer to 20 pounds if I have Graeters around?????

So those are my first impressions of Bloomington Indiana. I am hoping to get over all the ups and downs of moving and start feeling at least the teensiest bit settled. I still really miss just about everything about WI. I guess it just takes time. sigh.