A Hay Ride

Last night we had a hay ride for the kids at the party. Today we returned the wagon to Grandpa's barn. The kids, Max, and I rode the wagon through the field!

Happy Birthday, Grandma Suzie!

Happy Birthday to Grandma Suzie!

Happy Birthday!

Kylie and Uncle Nathan!

Aleigha is always anxious to have her turn holding Kylie.

Kara looking at a cupcake cook book...


Kara stilling taking a look at the cupcakes!

CHEESE!!!

Tonight we had a fall party with family and friends. In addition to celebrating the season, we also celebrated Aunt Janalle's birthday and Aunt Janalle's departure with the girls in a few weeks.

Happy Halloween!

This afternoon, we all met at Grandma Great's house for trick or treating. Delaney (cheerleader), Jackson (long haired guy with facial hair), Evelyn (police), Preston (little monster), Olivia (pink lady), Taylor (character from Sesame Street), Whittney (witch), Aleigha (princess), Aubrey (Purdue cheerleader), and Gavin (no costume).

the kids...

close up...

Olivia and Whittney...

After trick or treating, it was time to carve pumpkins...

Massages...

Tonight after showers, Whittney gave massages to Nathan and Gavin. They were in heaven!

Another Day of Fun with Family

Chloe and Whittney made a store in the living room. Blake wanted to help too!

Whittney, Chloe, and Olivia playing dress up. (Megan came to visit with Preston, Olivia, and Evelyn).

Different outfits...

Blake playing around...

One last project of the day...

Aleigha's creation.

Tyler and Gavin having target practice!

Imaginations at work...but looking tired!

After Brad and Monica left with their family, we headed over to Grandpa Pat and Grandma Suzie's for a bit. Aleigha told Grandma all about the weekend!

Gavin had a long weekend...he fell asleep on Grandpa Pat and Grandma Suzie's floor.

Next, we stopped at Grandpa and Grandma's house. Aleigha was ready to hold Kylie!

Whittney wanted a turn too! (notice Nathan taking a nap in the background...what a fun, but tiring weekend).

Let the Butchering Begin...

Last night Brad, Monica, Haley, Tyler, Chloe, and Blake arrived for a weekend of butchering fun! This morning, Nathan and Brad headed off early to get started. What a beautiful morning it was!

The kids were excited to see ice frozen in a nearby camping chair.

Monica and I left to head to the butcher room to help. As soon as we left, Haley had the sliding door covered with fun decorations!

I think Haley was looking forward to some time with the kids. She was the babysitter...of six children!

Brad is all smiles at the butcher room!

My dad was busy using the saw to make pork chops and country style ribs. Nathan and his friends (the creators of the butcher room) do not use the saw...just dad (because he is highly trained)! It is better this way...more likely to keep everyone's fingers.

Monica is busy stuffing sausage into packages.

Grant, Brad, and Nathan...boning maniacs! Sharing some laughs while they keep busy.

Just a little father/son bonding time here...

Go OSU!!!! I don't think this was planned...

Brad and Nathan measuring and mixing smoked sausage...yum!!!

Grant stuffing smoked sausage...Monica and I are in the background helping (I'm on the phone while Monica is getting the smoked sausage casings ready).

Brad is watching intently...trying to figure out how to cut that pig into pork chops and ribs.

Clean up time...

When Monica and I got home from the butcher room, this is what Whittney and Chloe looked like...all dolled up!

The back view of the hair...

The girls made strawberry cupcakes with pink pig sprinkles on top!

Aleigha looking sassy...

Blake was not impressed with Max. When they would come face to face, Blake would begin crying. In this picture, Monica is feeding Max treats while Blake peeps around her shoulder to keep an eye on Max.

Blake was outside playing...Whittney and Chloe were peeking out to get our attention.

Haley taking the girls on a four wheeler ride...Chloe found a pumpkin in the garden she liked. Notice the shorts...

Blake looking at the standing water in the fire pit...how will we have a fire with all this water????
Gavin and Tyler scooped out the water with sand buckets.

Now it is time for the adults to get things set up!

Getting the tripod ready for chili and kettle corn...

Aleigha, Whittney, and Chloe ready for their haunted house...

Haley had a release for all participants to sign..."The Dangerous House of Release Form *I understand that they Dangerous House is not responsible for injuries or personal scares of life *BRING EXTRA UNDERWEAR*"

Aleigha watching the boys make the fire...love the books and bathing suit...complete with the haunted house make up.

Watching the boys...

Tyler and Gavin got the fire going strong...with some mom help!

I made some "Apple Pie" drink for the adults. Nathan thought it would be fun to light the Everclear we used for the drink...quite disturbing to think it is flammable (look closely on the plate)!