Halloween

Joel and Katie dressed like people from the '80's. Love Joel's mullet and Katie's leg warmers
Melissa, me, and Katie

Our only trick-or-treaters

Fall Break Fun

Over Fall Break, Mom and I went to Chicago. We saw several newborns including my cousin's and college roomate's new babies. Both are beutiful baby girls and I am so jealous! We also hit IKEA. Below is my big buy. We had many laughs while staying with my grandma's neighbors. I am pretty sure the characters Frank and Marie from Everybody Loves Raymond were based on those two! It was like being on the set! New chair for the office
My cousin's new baby- Lyric (1 month)

Here I am with my "niece". My college roommate's baby- Miriam "Mia" (2 months)

My cousin holding her baby (Lyric)

Instant Yard: before and after

Laying sod

Our "big" helper
Rolling out the sod

Partially done!

My new enemy!

Enjoying the new yard

Kolton and Toby were able to enjoy the new yard. Everyone else was too tired!
You can't tell very well from this picture but Kolton is actually rolling down the hill. We had told him multiple times that he had to stay off the grass. He could not understand why you couldn't go on the yard! Then when our backs were turned we saw him doing this. I couldn't help but laugh and get a picture!

Halloween Weekend

Pictures of the boys trick-or-treating and camping at Salamonie:

Roasting marshmallows for S'mores with Uncle Kyle
One of the campsites all decked out for Halloween that we went trick-or-treating at.

Off to get some candy...Look at the dinosaur's tail wagging!

Karter as a dinosaur

Ready to go

Kolton posing by his Buzz Lightyear pumpkin in his Buzz Lightyear costume. (I think it took Shan all afternoon to carve that pumpkin but he did receive many compliments.)

Kolton on the fireman's pole.

Bonfire

Pictures from the bonfire at Shannon and Amy's last weekend:Who says sparkles are only for the 4th of July?

Karter mostly enjoyed eating- as you can see!

Kolton with one of the many fish he caught that night.

Our new toy

Now that school is in session I have been on a bit of a blogging hiatus! Hopefully, I can update everyone.

Part of the reason that I am so busy is because volleyball is in season. This year the team I coach has won four games- which is pretty good compared to only one win last year. We think that it may be the most wins in a single season in school history!

Kyle and his dad recently went in together on a Ranger. Kyle swears that he got it for me since I never quite got the hang of driving the 4-wheeler- I blame it on not havinga very good teacher! However, we have been having fun tooling around the neighborhood in the Ranger- even with me at the helm.

First Day of School

Karter- "I want to go too!"

One of the cutest kids on his first day of preschool!

Back to School Party

We hosted a back-to-school party at our house for my co-workers. On the patio- good thing we had that poured this summer!
Getting food!

More patio pics

Keeping cool in the basement

The Kohler family

More of Tina and her family: Baby Kevin- only 17 days old

Abby with the tennis balls.

Madison

Tina (my cousin) with Madison

More family picnic pics

More cousins! I love having a big family!

My birthday

I got quite the surprise when my Mom, Dad, and Luke arrived at my house on my b-day. Thanks to Kyle and our guests for planning the surprise. It was a very thoughful gift! Everyone also pitched in to buy me a new desk for my office. My master's degree also arrived by mail that day.

My birthday also means that it is almost time to go back to school, so this may be the last of the summer fun!

Fun Fest Festivities

At Fun Fest we got to: Play on the fire trucks
Sit in the Good Samaritan helicopter

Play with the DNR's decoy