Message for Grandma Ina and Grandpa Wally

This is a special video message from A.J. and Abigail to Grandma Ina and Grandpa Wally. We all miss you very much, and the kids thought this would be a fun way to send you a message. Isn't technology great?? Below the video is a transcript in case you can't understand 4 year old language! We love you!

(A.J. speaking) Hi Grandma Ina, Hi Grandpa Wally. We love you. And next week's our bowl game. I hope we might send you a video clip of it. Love, A.J.

(Abigail speaking) My mommy have Jesus in her heart. And, she love you very much. We miss her (meaning you) so much. We love you. And we love everybody in the whole family: Grandma and Pa and A.J. and Abby. From, Abigail.

And... don't you wish you had rosy lips like Abigail????

We had our annual Fall Festival at church this past Sunday. Abigail originally was going to be a chef (you can see that costume in the post for her Dress Up Party at school). However, a friend from church gave her some fall clothes and in the bag was this Minnie Mouse costume. Once she saw it, there was no more chef! So, now I have Minnie Mouse vs. the Jedi in my home! Oh what fun!

We had Abigail's face painted once we arrived (thank you Mrs. Ashley Earle) and Mrs. Michell had a camera without dead batteries like mine! Thanks Mrs. Michell!

Shrinky Dinks

Amelia, Heath and Chase gave Abigail some shrinky dinks for her birthday. I know you all remember those from your childhood, right? We have already had so much fun with them. Here are some pictures of our first attempt at making them. I was pretty pleased.

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

Abigail's preschool took a field trip to the pumpkin patch. Because A.J. was out on Fall Break, he was able to go with us, too. We had a great time. Here are a few of the millions of pictures I took. You will notice there is no picture of the kids with their pumpkins. It turns out that when carrying two pumpkins for them (which normally Allan would do), I forgot to take a picture, too. Oops.

Here is the three of us on the hayride down to the pumpkin patch:
We attempted to take a picture of the entire group on the field trip. A.J. is in the back, and Abigail is way over on the left side.
Part of the trip was a petting zoo. Good thing the kids didn't see the "for sale" sign by the door or we would have come home with a bunny!

This is Abigail's 3 year old preschool class, with their teacher Mrs. Karen.

The narcoleptic strikes again. Enough said.

40 Years and Still Going Strong

My parents are celebrating their 40th anniversary this month. Allan and I are both very blessed to come from a heritage of many years of marriage. When I look at my parents and my grandparents, I am so thankful for the example they have given on having Christ as the center of their home and of their marriage. I have learned so much from their examples.

Kevin and Lesli and Allan and I decided to surprise my parents with a lunch for their anniversary. Here are some pictures from the afternoon.

Kevin and the kids were our "lookout" for Grandma and Pa: Lesli and I worked to set the table and get it prepared for their arrival:
Here is the happy couple:
Then... we attempted the unthinkable.. a picture of all 4 grandchildren in one picture. Poor Christian, I just wasn't sure he would survive this event.
And my favorite picture of all to "end" the day!

Dress Up Party

Today was Abigail's "Dress Up Party" at school. Since it is a Christian school, they do not focus on Halloween, but they do have fun with pumpkins and costumes. I think it is fun to let kids be kids!

Abigail dressed up as a chef. She had an apron, hat, and accessories. This morning, she told me a chef wears black pants and a white shirt! They sang some very cute pumpkin songs. Thank you Mrs. Emmy and all of the teachers for all the work and practice to put this on!

(And... in case you are wondering... Abigail spent most of the singing time staring at the boy behind her. I think she was trying to figure out his costume. He was dressed as a T.V.).

Polka Dot Picnic

Abigail's 4th birthday was last weekend, and we celebrated with a polka-dot picnic. It was my favorite birthday party we have had yet! Everything was "dots" (circles, balls, etc). Over 50 people came to Monkey Park, many dressed in their own polka dots. Here are a few pictures from the day.
Thank you all of our friends and family who came (despite long distance travel) and helped us get everything ready!


The table included polka-dot cupcakes, round PB&J sandwiches, rice krispie treats in the shapes of balls, Ritz bitz crackers, and polka dot decorations.

The highlight of the day for everyone was the train ride. Abigail and her friend Cameron from school rode the entire 30 minutes.

Abigail's Version of Football

I think the whole family now officially has football fever. The other day, I heard Abigail calling out "Down, Set, Hut!" When I saw her, I had to take a picture. Her version of football includes A.J.'s practice jersey, Auburn helmet, and old soccer cleats (one the wrong feet). Her ball is her Dora bouncy ball. She is a character!