Flashback Halloween, Part 2

I managed to find a couple more pictures of Halloweens past for this flashback holiday. The kids were pumped to take their costumes to school for the parade this morning. The younger 3 get to walk through the downtown of the little community where their school resides. People come out and ohhh and ahhh over them all. It is very fun, especially when the weather is like today!! The other really good thing is that our school is strict about the rules for good, fun costumes (no blood, no weapons, no horror stuff). This makes is more about dressing and and getting treats than scaring the wits out of people.


Here are the costumes of 2005.


Costumes of 2006.


And the scariest of them all are the parents in their attire. This was the one and only costume party we've have ever attended. In 2005 Scott's drama department head hosted a costume party at the church. Obviously my hunk was the Hulk and I was the darling Feona from the Shrek movies. I think green is really our color!

Flashback Friday

In the spirit of Halloween, if I even dare say that, here are some pictures of Halloweens past. We ( I should really say "I") held out for a very long time NOT trick-or-treating. Our kids have always, always, loved dressing up. As a matter of fact a large part of their daily play consisted of costumes of all sorts and most typically, a show. Oh for the photos and videos we have for their high school graduations. I am sure more of those photos will creep in here for future Flashbacks. All of this is to say, when I was outnumbered by my children and their dad, I waved the white flag, taught them where we stood on the issue of Halloween and then.....let them take their show on the road.


I believe this may have been our first "honored" Halloween (only had 4 kids then) in 2002. Zach's cool car came from some neighbors whose awesome uncle made this for his nephew. Hannah was Jesse from Toy Story. Those chaps challenged her mother who would do anything NOT to pull out the sewing machine. I do have quite the sewing box, just for the record (inside joke for Miss Steph). There just may have been glue or safety pins involved. Issac, well he was a cute little baby. The costume fit him well. Then of course there is Elizabeth in all her bunny shyness.

I remember this night well as I took all the little ones myself because Scott had a rehearsal. I recall being glad that Halloween would not fall on a Wednesday the following year. An FYI, Hannah was 6, Zach 4, Elizabeth 2, and Isaac 5 months. Let me do the math....nope, not quite pregnant again. Little did we know at this point that this was not the entire gang.


This seems to be the only October photo of the kids this year (2004) as we had had quite the crazy year up to this point. As if bonus baby wasn't enough, Mr.Aaron had been hospitalized twice over Easter, we had finished remodeling our first home here in order to sell it, moved into a spec house with an unfinished basement and we in the throws of getting it done so that we had more than 1100sq feet to live in. Crazy, sleepless times!!!!!! I digress.


Here is a picture of Aaron. Thought I should add this because he happen to be in bed during the pumpkin photo. This is what he looked like about then. Too cute but I may be biased.


Here is the only photo I could find of Halloween 2005. We had taken a trip up to the Wisconsin Dells with cousin Erika from Chicago. They had an art project for the kids there where they made these fun masks.


As for the years in between, well I don't know for sure if we didn't take pictures or if they are lost in the archives of my computer. I will dig to find a couple more photos for next week. I know, you can't wait. Ha!

Onion Outsmarted

The other day Elizabeth offered to help me get dinner ready. When I told her I had onions that needed chopped up she ran off momentarily. When she came back she had donned her protective gear. May be funny looking but a genius idea if I do say so myself.



No tears for her when chopping onions. She was so proud of herself.

Flashback Friday

Wow how time flies and how quickly the kids change. Here are the troops with one of our two favorite and most faithful (and brave) sitters that walked with us through those young child rearing years. Miss Elly is the eldest of five in her home so we always knew the kids were in good hands here. Miss Elly is currently living in Taiwan, teaching English and exploring the world. We are so proud of her. Since this picture two years ago Hannah has now come to "look down upon" Miss Elly, physically speaking alone.

The times are changing, often faster than I would like.

Flashback Friday

Flashback a couple years to a not-so-atypical fall evening, the boys are dressed up playing and Hannah appears to be a damsel in distress. If you aren't aware, there are shows constantly going on around my house involving all ages and anyone who happens to be here. Just last night Elizabeth and the little boys put on a pet show (pictures to come). Never a dull moment.




On that same evening is my little then first-grader with her very precious toothless grin. Love it!!!



Whoever started flashback Friday, thanks. I never tire of perusing old photos. Memory lane is a great walk, any day.

Random Happenings

Here is a little glimpse into the lives of the children right now. Life is busy, life is sometimes crazy, but always rich. I am so blessed.

Here is Hannah down and ready in her volleyball game. She is really enjoying a new sport. Middle blocker here she comes.


My girl, a smile wherever, whenever. Love that about her.


This is Elizabeth and her close friend Taylor. We crimped hair at their latest sleep over. I think Amos is thinking, "please I don't want to be next!" Again, love those smiles!


Snuck up on my men and was completely unnoticed. That's what happens when the guys are in front of the computer screen. Gotta love your man who is so loved by his kids.


Still oblivious.



Trying to get the two younger boys one day after church. Do you think I could get even one where they are both looking and smiling nice......not a chance.


The more I tried the worse it got. Oh well, this is my life and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Flashback Friday

Again a small flashback to August of this year. My sister-in-law and my niece came to visit from Chicago and introduced us to a very fun new activity called letterboxing. This is a great family activity that really costs little money and reaps great family rewards.

It all starts by obtaining your own stamp and notebook. From there you go to www.letterboxing.org to find hidden boxes in your area. Clues are given as to where you must go to find a hidden box. Once the box is found you will find there within, another notebook, ink pad, and stamp. You simply put their stamp in your book and yours in theirs. The goal is finding and collecting as many stamps across the nation as possible (this could make summer trips really fun). The flip side is that you may also plant your own box and register it. My kids think that would be fun so it was added to the things we want to do list. :)

We printed off the instructions to 4, I believe, and found all but one. Here is the gang, listening to Scott's instructions and ready to take off in hot pursuit.





This one was particularly difficult. Yes, it did take us to a cemetery and then back out again. It was cleverly written but aparently in a manner to difficult for 9 Sterner minds. The children are determined not to let this one "die" (pun intended).


Why is it parents always make their children look directly into the sun and then complain because we can't ever get a good picture.........hmmmmm. Maybe it is time for this generation to wise up. Time will tell.


If you have never tried it go to the web site. It really is a fun time for the family to get out of the house with the soul purpose of having fun working together. If anyone gives this a try and figures out the one with the black angel, give us some clues.