Lawn Olympics

How behind am I? We participated in Lawn Olympic at the Jones' house back in mid-October. While we didn't win anything, we still had a great time.

The related crew: Cousin Brett, his super cool girlfriend Megan, Mike,

Ellie's best friend Baxter, Megan, Ellie, me and Nick.

Ellie made lots of new friends that day. She was VERY spoiled.

She joined Nick and I on Team 8.

Megan and I

Ellie and one of her new friends, Scott.

Despite Scott being a former Cy mascot, Ellie liked him a lot!

Cousin Brett feeding and reading to Ellie.

Fun time and Great Food!

Over a month ago we got together to celebrate my oldest brother, Brian's, birthday. Here are a few pictures from the fun night.

Ellie and the birthday boy, Uncle Brian
Ellie and her cousin, Fairy Natalie (she is NOT a princess- as she told me)
Ellie loved the apple dessert. After she helped Mommy eat hers she moved onto Daddy's. Once Daddy's was gone, she moved onto Grandma!
Ellie loved hanging out with her GREAT uncles, Dana and Craig.
And of course, what is going to Uncle Brian's house without yummy smoked meat and cheesy corn casserole.
Cousin Natalie, Great Aunt Joan and Ellie chatting it up.

Race for the Cure

I am finally catching up on my back-posts. In October Megan, Ellie and I participated in the Race for the Cure 5K. It was Ellie's 2nd 5K and she isn't even a year yet!

It took us over an hour and a half to walk a 5K. This isn't because we are slow walkers, but because of all the other people! It was crazy. I think we crossed the start line 1/2 hour into the race.
Ellie and Godmom, Megan
Eleanor and her friend, Sophia, before the Race.
The night before the race, we went over to our friends, the Beltman's, house for a spaghetti dinner. Watching Ellie and their little girl, Sophia, interact was adorable. See how they were trying to give each other kisses?

Pumpkin Carving

The Thursday before Halloween we went over to Mike and Megan's house for our annual pumpkin carving (although we skipped last year due to sickness, scheduling and a baby on the way). Here are a few of my favorite pictures:

The first step was picking out the best pumpkin. It was a cold day, so we didn't stay long at the pumpkin patch.

Eleanor got to help take the insides out of her pumpkin! She didn't love it, but she didn't hate it either.

Ellie supervised the carving, while trying to eat the bottom of the pumpkin. She was successful and not very happy when we had to take it away from her.

All of us with our pumpkins! Ellie's is designed to look like her- 2 top teeth and two bottom teeth.

Eleanor with all of the pumpkins. She looks a little stunned to be left on the table unattended, you can see me off to the side on the right.

5 on Friday

1. Halloween was a success. Ellie enjoyed her costume and only tried to take off the hood/head twice during the two days she wore it!

2. Birthday party plans are coming along! I spent 4 hours Friday night sewing. I am pretty proud of the finished products.

3. I also spent some time finishing up Eleanor's 1-year scrapbook. Or should I say scrapbooks.

4. We got to visit Nick's Dad on Monday. We don't get up to Ames to see him nearly enough.

5. I still feel like we are crazy busy. But then I look at the calendar and it seems to lighten up considerably after Eleanor's birthday (before all the Christmas festivities start-up that is).

Wait,
what is this?

I don't want this on my head.

Here you go, Mommy.

*The hair bow stayed in almost the entire time. The hat did not stay on at all.

17 in White

My family got together the other weekend for family pictures. Not an easy task with 17 of us, 7 being age eight or under. Overall, I think they turned out pretty well.

Grandma, Grandpa and all the grandchildren

All seven of the grandchildren
The kids had to have a little fun!

And all of us in one photo!