Enjoying the Fall

Happy 6th Birthday to our sweet little Avery! She is such a wonderful child! We love her so much. We celebrated on her actual birthday with chocolate chip birthday muffins, gifts and a fall/halloween party at the neighbors in the afternoon and evening. She still loves Yoda from Star Wars and the picture below shows her hugging a puzzle and figurine that she got from O and Izzie.
Here are the kids on a hayride at the fall party we went to on her birthday.

We spent some time at a local pumpkin patch recently. This is one of those many traditions that I try and get in each year. We went on a beautiful fall day and we all had a great time. We went on a trailer ride, went through a hay bale maze, found prizes in the corn, pet the animals, went through the corn maze and just enjoyed the beautiful afternoon.

I just had to include this recent picture of Ethan and Izzie. She can kind of say his name and has really been attached to him lately.It is so cute to see him be such a good sport about it. He is really a good big brother!

Just this past weekend, Mike was gone hunting so I had a few playdates. Here is a picture of all the kids (minus Macy - she was sleeping). We had 10 kids in all. It was a great time with girlfriends, good food and all the joys that come with having that many kids in one room! We did get outside a few times though since it was so nice out, so that helped. I have to say, for that many kids, they all did great. I don't think we had to break up any fights over toys, etc.

Mike will be in full-fledge hunting mode soon, so that leaves us alone most of the time :-( We do keep plently busy though visiting friends and family and having many playdates. Healthwise we are doing great so far - let's pray that continues! Ethan will start hockey soon - we are very excited to see how it goes! Avery wraps up gymnastics in a few weeks so that will free up one night. The little girls are keeping me busy at home but are so much fun! I sure enjoy being able to spend so much time with them. Izzie is really starting to talk a lot more, she listens to directions, brings you things, helps clean up, etc. She is just growing up so fast! Olivia is still our "crazy" Olivia but that is what makes her who she is.

I can't believe Halloween is just around the corner. May you all have a very Happy Halloween!