Home Group Harvest Party

Tonight we had a harvest party at the farm of one of our home group families. Emmaline had a cold, so Nathan graciously stayed home with her so that I could go with the other two and Mom. The food was placed on the back of a wagon and we ate on hay bales around the camp fire. Then we enjoyed s'mores, cider, and a hayride. It was a little chilly tonight, but everyone had a great time together. Our home group multiplies into two groups next week because we've gotten so big, so it was nice to have one last get-together.

Madilyn, Ellie, and Emma

On the hay ride

Ellie and Mimi

Roasting Marshmallows

Ellie opted for a pumpkin cookie instead

Buddy Walk 2009

It was a gloomy day, but there was a great turn-out for the Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome at Delco Park. Afterward, we took out families to LaRosa's for pizza...it's become a yearly tradition.

Our team was able to raise over $1200 for this wonderful cause. It's not very common, but our family has been blessed twice with Down syndrome...first with my niece, Kayla, and then with our daughter, Emmaline. I can't even imagine what life would be like without them. If you'd like to donate to help Emmaline, Kayla, and other with Ds, please click HERE to go to our secure team website. Thanks for your prayers and support during these first 2 1/2 years of Emmaline's life. We wouldn't have made it this far without you!

Emmaline and Daddy

Aunt Katie and Ellie

Emmaline's Walk of Achievement poster
Big Girl with her medal

R & R Family Party

Every year, Nathan's mom's work hosts a big family party. The weather was gorgeous today and even required sunscreen! There were tons of inflatables, kiddie games, and a huge sandbox (the sand volleyball court filled with sand toys). They always have delicious food...this year it was burgers, hotdogs, pulled pork, grilled corn on the cob, and baked beans. I love cook-out food! We also came home with lots of Mardi Gras beads because that was the prize at every game. Good thing the kids like to play dress-up!

Emmaline taking a water break in the sand

Ellie enjoyed the corn

Jacob made a paper rocket and got to launch it into the field.
He loved this part and did it lots of times!

#8

This tooth wasn't even loose, but it came out when Jacob was chomping on a Ring Pop. See! Candy is bad for your teeth!

2009 Beavercreek Popcorn Festival

Our family volunteered this evening at the Popcorn Festival. Our church is in charge of the children's area every year and this was our 2nd year to help out. I manned the little kid bouncy house and Nathan was in charge of the inflatable obstacle course. While we did that, Nathan's parents came and walked around with our kiddos. It was a fun evening!

Kettle corn is a must at the Popcorn Festival!
Ellie jumping in the bouncy house

Emmaline loved it too!

Jacob got a balloon animal

Happy Birthday, Wesley!

Wesley turned 2 yesterday, so we partied with his family today. His mommy, Janine, is a friend from church and my very first Usborne recruit, so we've gotten to know each other pretty well as we've learned to navigate the book world together this year. The party was lots of fun and the kids had a blast playing together outside. We had to leave early to man our posts at the Popcorn Festival, but Janine was thoughtful enough to send cake home with us so the kids wouldn't miss out. Thanks, friend!

Jacob had fun playing tag

These 3 giggled non-stop during the meal...wish I knew what was so funny!

Emmaline is ready to slide, with big sister's help

Back-to-School Picnic

Today was a back-to-school picnic for Jacob's online school. It was held at a local park and we saw a couple of friends from church and the library there. Jacob had a lot of fun meeting some other kids in the same grade as him.

Overall, we are really liking this school (k12.com). One drawback though is that he isn't in class with anyone from our area. Even his teacher lives in Youngstown. It would be nice if they put kids and teachers from the same local area together so they could occasionally meet for outings, etc.

Playing "Charades" with some friends

Ellie on the swings

Mommy and Emmaline eating lunch
(Don't you just love the faces they make when they learn to smile at the camera?!)

Daddy and Ellie at lunch

To the Zoo and Back...

It was a nice day today, so we took the kids to the zoo for the afternoon. We love having our pass because we can go for a few hours and not feel like we wasted money on the trip. As soon as we walked in, we saw a 5 ft. ball python being held by one of the keepers (very cool since we have a 3 ft. one in our basement). Then another keeper had a baby crocodile, but the kids didn't want to touch it. We ate lunch in the new picnic area. It was hard to enjoy it because the peacocks kept circling our table waiting for some scraps. There were lots of baby animals at the zoo today too, including the Grevy's zebra, cheetah, and bearcat (appropriate since it's UC's mascot). We also got the see the mexican wolves that always seem to be sleeping/hiding when we visit. It was a quick trip (we had to be back to drop the kids off at Nathan's parents so we could have date night), but it was a really fun time.

Making Applesauce

One thing we love about fall is the abundance of apples! They were on sale last week, so I bought 3 lbs. and made them into yummy applesauce. There's nothing better than fresh, homemade, slightly warm applesauce. This is the first year that Jacob and Ellie helped me and they did really well. We go through this stuff pretty quickly, so I'll probably make it several more times this fall.

Labor Day/Nathan's Birthday

Our families came over today for a cook-out. We also celebrated Nathan's birthday. It's officially on the 19th, but we already have something planned that day, so we celebrated a little early. I'm looking forward to having the day off from school and other things tomorrow. Sometimes it's nice to have a day with nothing to do but relax.

Katie mans (or "wo-mans") the grill

Happy Birthday!

Jacob and Papaw on the porch swing

Ellie concentrates on finishing her cookie

Emmaline tries on Papaw Kevin's glasses

11 years!

Today is our 11th anniversary...where did the time go?! Nathan's parents took the kids for the day so we could celebrate. We drove to Waynesville and ate lunch at Cobblestone Cafe. It was so yummy...who would have thought that a turkey sandwich on cinnamon swirl bread complete with thinly sliced apples would taste so good. After lunch, we walked around the town, looking at antiques and shopping a little. On the way home we stopped at Ritter's for ice cream.

It was only a couple of hours, but boy was it nice to have some alone time. Our weekly date nights have been taken over by my book parties, but I'm officially blocking out Thursdays from now on. I really missed spending time with my hubby and really enjoyed our time together today.

I love you more than ever, Mister! Thanks for putting up with me for this long! I'm so looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you and can't wait to see what God has in store for us in the many years ahead.

If you missed my tribute to our decade of marriage last year, click HERE and enjoy the ride (& laughs!)!

Proof that my nutrition-loving husband ate a Peanut Butter Mountain

Proof that, while I'd decided on a fruit smoothie, he convinced me to enjoy this calorie-laden treat as well

Another Day, Another Park...eventually!

Today, everyone was getting haircuts and then we were going to have a picnic at a park. However, while Nathan and the kids waited for me to finish getting my hair cut, the battery in the van died. Thankfully, we have a AAA membership! While we waited for them to come put a new battery in the van, we ate lunch in the parking lot. In a little less than an hour from the time we called, the new battery was in and we were on our way to the park. The kids were good sports about the whole thing and had a good time running and playing at the park.

Ellie on the slide

Emmaline in the swing

Jacob found some pine cones

Taking a walk