27 Weeks!

It's not the most flattering pose or outfit, but hey, at least we got a picture taken of me pregnant with this baby.  Can't believe I'm in my 3rd trimester.  I guess I'm glad the weeks are going by fast?  I am getting excited to meet this one!

Pumpkin Hunt & Trick or Treating-Star Wars style

It was a cool Sunday afternoon that we decided to go on our great Pumpkin hunt at Grandma's Little Acres here in St. Peter.  We bundled up and headed out on the hayride to the big orange field.  Everyone was happy this year and there was no fussing or crabbing which was an unexpected surprise!  We gave the girls instructions that they should find there pumpkin as quickly as possible because it was not very warm.  :)  They did good and found just the right one that made them happy.  They were looking forward to some warm apple cider but found that the place had run out of cups.  They were bummed but I promised I'd make them "real" hot cocoa when we got home.  Personally chocolate tastes better then apple anyway.  :)  

The came time for carving, which we did 2 weeks later.  Didn't want our pumpkins to rot you know!  Well Rachel's big orange friend didn't fair so well and he was rotting inside.  So Brian, the nice father that he is, took Rachel to the grocery store for her to find a new one.  Sweet Dad!  The girls did a fairly nice job cleaning out their pumpkins and doing their own carving, except Natalie.  She's not quite ready to handle a sharp knife yet!  She did help with the "guts" though. :)

Now it's time for Trick-or-Treating!!  The girls LOVE Star Wars.  We have no idea why.  It's not that Brian and I are "in" to it.  We do like the movies, but never carry on about them.  Natalie knows most of the characters which is scary.  Emily was the only one, besides me who didn't want to dress in Star Wars gear.  She actually didn't want to go out trick-or-treating, which I don't mind a bit.  The others did end up talking her into going and I talked her into going as Queen Amadala (Luke & Leah's mom)  Caitlin went as a Storm Trooper, Rachel as Darth Vader and Natalie as Princess Leah.  She was disappointed because she didn't get to carry a light saber or gun.  Brian made some Yoda ears (on a pink headband) and wore that out for the evening.  I went as me. :)  I think they turned out looking quite cute and most everyone knew who they were.  Our friend Drew commented that Natalie was the cutest 3yr old Princess Leah.  I agree!

Our girls with the Frey girls (an annual tradition)

The Star Wars clan at neighbors Mike & Irene

Husband & wife?  Yep!  Darth Vader and Queen Amadala

Away we go!   look at the cute Leah hair on Natalie!  DIY!!!

At the Gilbertsons.  Check it out!  Another storm trooper -Luke, a Spider Queen and look at Mr. Levi as Thor!

MEA-Wisconsin Dells, Year 4!!

It's that time again and along with our friends the Gracks and Gilbertsons, we headed to the Dells for a MEA weekend getaway, full of water and fun!  We have so much fun hanging out with these crazy people, we just can't stop!  The kids were at perfect ages this year, except for maybe baby Caleb, but he was a good trooper anyway.  The adults were able to have lots of uninterrupted conversation which made us all wonder if we were neglecting our children or were they just getting along so super good they didn't need to bother us?  As always, we had the most fun at the Wave pool, but Rachel and Luke had a good time going down the slides this year since they were tall enough.  It was kind of a bummer for me this year being pregnant, so no water slides for me, but I didn't mind holding the camera and watching Brian in the water with the girls.  Already looking forward to next year!  Thanks for the memories G-rocks and Gilbertsons!

Our daily multi-walks down the long hallways to the water parks

Rachel, Ella & Emily lounging in the water

I'm going to splash you!!!!

The most fun of all-Wave Pool

Natalie's mode of transportation

Jeff & Caleb-chillin'

Tony, Mary, Cody & friend posing for a picture

Brian's attempt at taking a picture while Natalie and I are cruising down the lazy river.

Love birds-Heather & Jeff

Running the Mile

 Ready....Set...Go!  Both Emily and Caitlin participated in an after school activity that was sponsored by the cross country team this year.  It was cold as usual, but I guess a good running temp.  Caitlin was the only 6th grade girl and Emily had six 4th grade girls.  They all ran together and did very well.  It was Emily's first year trying and she wasn't quite sure she wanted to do it, but she did anyway!  Whoo-hoo!  Caitlin took 3rd overall, Emily 6th overall.  Caitlin's time was 7:35 and Emily 7:55.  Not too bad!!  I was very proud of them for running such a good race and it looks like there will be a good group of girl runners if they decide to participate in track or cross country.

Fall Fun

About a week before the JI Marathon of Service the girls thought they'd start practicing by raking our leaves.  They had a huge pile which of course was fun to run and jump into!

JI Marathon of Service

Noelle, Natalie (future JIers), Luke & Emily 4th grade, Rachel & Drew 1st grade, Caitlin 6th

notice Natalie with no shoe on.  It was 45 degrees out.  What's Up?

Instead of walking 3 miles for the JI Marathon fundraiser, the school along with the Knights of Columbus sponsored a JI Marathon of Service.  All the families of JI were assigned someone who needed help with yard work/washing windows/picking up trash etc as a way for them to raise money for the school.  We had  a nice cool fall day and it was nice to do service work for others.  The kids did very well considering their attention span and the fact that they had to work.  Even Natalie and her friend Noelle got in the action.

Rachel is Seven!

For some reason, it's hard for me to believe this girl is seven years old already!  It doesn't seem like it's been that long ago she and I would head to the coffee shop to see our friends, Jen, Kael & Elli.  She was my coffee shop bud.  Now, she's my reading, dramatic, smiley, giggly, beautiful, creative big 1st grade girl!  Time sure does slip away... Rachel had a spectacular birthday-three celebrations in all!  It's not every day a person gets to celebrate that many times.  The weekend before her actual birthday, Gpa & Gma Salfer, Gpa Tom and Gma, Randy & Sheila, and Mike & Irene came for brunch, cake and conversation.  Brian and I made her a guitar cake, which was totally fun!  It's not that bad making a cake when you have an assistant!  I have to admit I was way excited for her themed party!

On her actual birthday, we had lots more fun planned for her and her friends!  I made little guitar brownies and these were actually harder than the cake.  Brownies are not that easy to cut into shapes.  I think they turned out really cute though and from Rachel's reaction, I knew she loved them!  Rachel has always been drawn to playing with boys and when she asked if she could have a friend party, I assumed she'd want the boys.  However, I asked her who she wanted and she said "the girls in my class and Katie".  Awesome!!  But then the next sentence was, "Can I have Luke sleepover though?"  Ummmmm..... NO!  But I compromised and said she could bring Luke along to her birthday dinner at Dino's later that day. :)  Everyone was happy!  The girls had a good time at the party.  We jumped from one thing to the next.  Brian and I had set up a stage in the basement for them to "rock out" with and we had the Wii Dance going.  Air guitar and mic's were all part of the plan for them to become a band, but they ended up just being part of the "set".  We also had a pinata hanging from the tree in the front yard which was a huge hit and alot of candy went home with the girls!  

Rachel's last celebration was eating at one of her favorite places, Dino's Pizzeria in North Mankato.  Awesome, awesome, pizza!  And she brought her bestie, Luke.  I'm fairly certain this was a match made in heaven!  They had good time being silly, coloring/drawing and playing games.  All in all, I think Rachel had a birthday she'll never forget!  We LOVE you Rachel Anne!