Weekend in Wichita

This weekend we took a trip to Wichita. We visited some good friends who I knew when I lived in Colorado. They invited us to attend a "pig roast". As we sat in our hotel the night before the roast, we realized that we had not really explained what a "pig roast" was going to be like. Addison and Olivia were SO excited to play with the pig! They were a little surprise to hear that we were actually eating the pig. The next morning, Addie prayed, "please help us that we won't think the pig is gross!" We took pictures of the dear ol' pig, but I thought I better not post them (not a pleasant picture for weak stomachs). :)
So, I posted some pictures of our hunt for autumn leaves. It was absolutely beautiful in Wichita. The girls were determined to find the most colorful leaves. We encouraged them to find them on the ground, but they kept Brad busy, lifting them into the trees to find the "perfect leaf". We had a lot of fun.

Addie in the leaves

My photography classes have ended for this semester. Now it is time to have some fun. Addison loves to get her picture taken. She loves the camera and she really has fun posing. She always wants her hand, a flower or in this case a branch of leaves, right next to her face. I am always laughing inside, but I try to act excited so that she will forever enjoy having me take her picture. Today, she wanted to lay in a pile of leaves and hold a branch next to her face. She put on her serious face (she never wants to smile in a picture) and did not move while I shot pics. She is so much fun and at such a cute age! I had to smile, and I was a little unsure, but I think it turned out pretty cute.

There's no place like home.

A day at the park

We have had the cute little Westhoff girls staying with us this week. Their dad just passed the Colorado Bar, got a job in Denver, and their parents are off looking for a house this weekend. We have been good friends with the Westhoffs since the day we moved to Kansas. We will be so sad to see them move away. :(

Glitter Pumpkins

This is my favorite autumn craft. We did this for a Family Home Evening project tonight. It was so much fun and the mess we made was unbelievable. Glitter everywhere! We painted the pumpkin stems, coated the pumpkins with watered down glue and covered them with glitter. Our little girls had so much fun! I don't know how I will ever get all of the orange glitter out of their hair!!

1/2 Marathon

Okay, many of you know that I have been training for a half marathon. My training started 12 weeks ago! I was so nervous as the race was approaching because I caught a cold and it was not going away, it was getting worse. So, the last week I have totally been off my training schedule. My last long run was last Saturday and it went well, but I was sick the next day. So, yesterday I decided no matter what, even if I am sick, I am running this thing! Well, I drank a gallon of water throughout the day and ate a ton of carbs. I could not sleep last night because I kept checking the clock, thinking I would not wake up in time. Well, at about 4 a.m. I started hearing the rain, hail and major gusts of wind. I kept waiting for the storm to pass and it just became stronger. My running partners picked me up at 6:30 a.m. and as we arrived at the half marathon, everyone started their preparations as though we were actually going to run. But, as the lightning crashed down along with the hail, we soon realized that it was not going to happen! So disappointing!! I am hoping I can make arrangements to run next week in the Kansas City Marathon. I'll keep you posted.

Graduation

Brad had his graduation portraits taken today. He brought home a photocopy that the photographer gave to him, and then I took a picture of it. So, you can kind of get an idea of how cute he looks. :) Graduation is on December 15th. He is graduating one semester early. I can not believe we are so close to the finish line!

The Chiefs/Raiders tickets have arrived!

Thanks to an awesome father-in-law, Brad will be watching the Chiefs/Raiders game from the 5th row at the 50 yard line! Last year Brad went to a couple of games and loved it. He has become a big Chiefs fan (too bad they are not that good this year). My family is coming out in November for Thanksgiving. My dad and brother-in-law will be going to the game with Brad. It should be fun!

Pumpkin Patch

Today we went to the pumpkin patch. We had so much fun watching the girls search through the pumpkin patch and carefully select their favorite pumpkin. We told them that they could choose any pumpkin in the entire field. They each fell in love with the smallest little pumpkins. They are holding their pumpkins in the picture. You can barely see Addie's because it is so little. We had to laugh. Although we go to the pumpkin patch each year, we have never brought a "normal pumpkin" home . Our kids always find the odd shaped little ones. Each year when we take them to get weighed, the farmers laugh and say,"That pumpkin is free". To our surprise, this year the farmer charged us 50 cents. :)

Preschool

Addison has started another year of preschool. She goes to school every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. She loves it and so do I. :)

Date with Dad

Brad and the girls have been battling with sinus issues for almost two weeks. Brad has been so miserable with a constant runny nose. He dares stuff his nostrils with kleenex at home, but at school he has really struggled. :) It has been tradition that every Thursday, he takes the girls on a little date. I love to take pictures, so I was out there with my camera as he was loading the kids. Brad was not excited to be in a picture, he wanted to wait until his nose calmed down and was no longer bright red, but I kept trying. The more he resisted, the harder I tried. He was very good at dodging the camera. This is the best I could do. I feel like I sort of had a paparazzi experience, catching a shot right as he drove away.