Purdue Reunion

This November weekend we had grand plans with our Purdue college friends and their families to attend the Purdue/Northwestern football game in Evanston.  We had three friends and their families come up from Indiana and the Western suburbs to go to the game after a fun day at our house, then stay overnight.  Unfortunately the combination of the game becoming a night game (boo for all the young kids we planned to take) AND it being unseasonably cold and wet that night meant there was a smidge of a change in plans.  The guys went to the game and the girls and kids stayed back.  We had a blast, though, and so did the guys.

The Brinker's and their three girls came up from Fort Wayne

Claire, Samantha and Elizabeth

Addie and Luke coloring together

Trevor and Olivia Bullock join the part-ay

My girls!  Nicki, Hannah and Katie

Mike is so cute with his three girls

Braving the cold - Mike, Andy, Matt, Eric

Hot tub night with the Bullocks and Freemans

Cub Scouts Raingutter Regatta 

Grandma Della Visit and Supper Club Dinner

This first weekend in November was fun because we got to spend the day with Grandma Della in WI.  For her birthday the past few years we have gifted her with our presence:)  She says she prefers that over some "thing" we may find for her.  Anyway, we come up and spend the day with her and take her to dinner.  After the afternoon visiting with her at her house, we invited my parents to join us for dinner to visit with them, too.  It was nice to see them, and they kept the children distracted at dinner so I could get some good quality time talking to Grandma.  I learn so many fascinating things about this wonderful lady every time I have the chance to talk to her.  Since I'm writing this in the beginning of February, 2018, I already know now that Grandma has just been diagnosed with Stage IV cancer.  Obviously this is incredibly difficult news to absorb and come to terms with.  More on this once I get to the mid-January posts!  For now, we are grateful that so far she is not in pain and we still have some more time with her.  This evening back in November was a lovely memory, not only from the great company, but because the supper club was so great.  I love a Wisconsin Supper Club, and not just for their amazing Old Fashioned's!

Eloise Hartman art birthday party.

Supper club fun!

XOXOXOXO

Soccer on Sunday, the ritual of helping put on the giant socks over the shin guards

Bowling in the basement

Daddy did Claire's bun for ballet after watching a video on You Tube on how to do it

ice cream with Dad

Movies in the hot tub

Camping Weekend & Halloween

Halloween weekend was quite exciting for our little Cub Scout, as he had his first camping overnight.  It was soooooo cold out, though!  Like 32 degrees.  I can't believe he and Matt slept outside and spent the whole weekend outdoors.  Claire and I spent periods of time outside and were so glad to come back inside and get warm.  Those are some tough scouts!

Halloween was fun with our little unicorn and piece of pizza.

Claire is very comfortable with going to the dentist

I volunteered at Luke's school Halloween party on Friday night and phoned it in with my Big Mac costume from college circa 1998 put on over my clothes.  We represent junk food.

Claire wanted in on this sweet pic

This fish costume worn by Luke's friend was my fave of all the kids

This popcorn kid was also really cute

Soccer for Claire on Saturday morning was so cold and wet that we didn't know if they'd even have it.  The co-ed  group only ended up having 4 girls and 1 boy show up.  Claire got like 5 goals though, which she was so proud of.  She did awesome.  Here is a video of her.

Luke at the campout in WI

Claire and I went to the Bullock's house for this Halloween party

This unicorn is pretty darn adorable

piñata time

Tiger family aka the Meyers family 

I brought Luke's bacon and eggs costume from last year that Elizabeth wanted to wear

They made their own foil dinners over the fire

My little sweetie keeping warm in the tent with Dad

I borrowed Luke's pizza for the festivities

Sunday we went to the local cheese market's fall fest - free pony rides, pumpkins and sausages - what's not to like?

Root beer float kind of night, reusing our contraptions from our trip to WI

Feel the need to document the state of Luke's room these days.  Legos everywhere!  

Completed Mystery Mosaics everywhere!

Halloween trick or treating - meeting the friendly police officer

Claire was initially more interested in collecting leaves in her candy bucket

Baby Winnie getting so big

Getting a look at the Ruzila's new house, they'll be moving soon, boo!

Dinner out on Halloween night with the unicorn and pizza slice

Pretty Halloween dress from Grandma Mary