Fall Festivities

Despite the girls age, the kids were all excited to go to some fall festivals.  I had warned them that we were not going to nearly the amount that we did last year!

The peacock hotdog did get a lot of comments, especially since no one else was really dressed up at this church festival. 😆

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Our neighbors joined us for the fall fest at our church.

They had some really creative trunk-or-treats!

The kids, also, enjoyed the large inflatables.

They served fried chicken this year.  The girls and I volunteered the second half.  Shiloh wanted to be on chicken duty and did a fantastic job (picture is not of her working but just enjoying life before we got going).

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Beach and Shiloh finished up her custom made costume the next morning.  She chose to be a vending machine and researched how to make it happen.

Ezra chose to be a race car driver.  He still greatly loves cars.

Shiloh wanted Beach to wear her peacock head, and he obliged, combining it with a fun suit.

Peep her cord tail!

Zoe chose not to dress up, but changed her mind when the costume contest started and went to the car to retrieve a hotdog outfit.  Then she noticed that she wasn't the only dog around.

Beach was a good sport and joined the adult costume contest as well.

My fun crew!

Zoe's favorite thing about the festivals.

Shiloh still enjoys the jumpy slides and snagged the back cart in the train ride.

Zoe and Ezra chose to join the train ride as well, somehow fitting in together.

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The cousins were able to come with us for a couple of festivals as well.

It was nice that they could be together and that they are old enough that I felt it was manageable with five kids by myself.

Snow cones to bring on the smiles.

Shiloh found another vending machine (who we happened to know).

I was shocked to see a hot air ballon at one of our favorite places!

We were all able to go up in the ballon but had to make a couple of trips because all together we were over the weight limit.  After talking with the owners, I realized that they were parents of a college friend and had gifted me a ride over 20 years ago!  Such a generous and sweet couple who does this as a ministry!

They, also, had some fun trunks...

and interesting blow up games.

As it got darker, Shiloh tried out her light feature.

So thankful for this church and the kind members that often remember our children over the years.

Full dark effect!

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Then on Halloween we went to visit our neighbors.

Nothing like a vending machine ringing your doorbell.

An elderly couple had a mini carnival set up in their yard.

Zoe was excited to have her friend join us, which made it "the best year yet!"

She may be taller than me but there is still a lot of youth letf!

Kids had such a joyful time and now they are stocked with candy to give to their friends!

After School Activities and Celebrations (Oct '23)

Feeling the fall!  Ezra participated in little league for the first time and loved it!

Truth be told it added to the major crazy busyness that was this month.  However, his his love for the game made it worth it.  The team chose Pickles for their name!

Grand fans!

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I'm thankful I was able to attend a walk with some ladies from our church and then have some quiet time along the river.  A true gift.

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Ezra had a bout of sickness....

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While Zoe had some issues as well due to her cross country training.  Ended up in the urgent care for a closer look at her ankle.

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On happier news....my all time favorite thing of the month, we had our porch rebuilt!

It truly is my happy place and where I like to spend my time (as long as the weather is warm enough).

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It was not long before Zoe was out racing again....this time she had some cousin fans as well!

A shorter race at my alma mater, CIU.

Even Josiah came out to see the race!

This time picture with me, too. (Beach held down the fort with the other kids finishing their homework.)

So much adorableness.

Zoe and her team!

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Still sweating it up with my sauna workouts!

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Shiloh called a family meeting to go over a plan she had come up with!

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Someone learned how to take different angled selfies with my phone.

She showed me as we headed to a show with my parents.

We watched The Thorn and it was really well done!

My birthday gift to get to spend with my family!

The faces she gives when she does not understand why I take pictures!

The girls are def at that age...

Since I didn't take many pictures during the show, I enjoyed doing so during intermission.

Photo bombed!

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Cross country had a sweet end of the season banquet at school.

Zoe got an award for having a positive attitude. 

The team (many kids this age do not seem to like pictures).

And one with the coaches!

Sweet girls!

The coaches were so great and made the transition to a new school soooo much better!

One last cheer...

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Finishing out the baseball nights, and Ezra had different visitors during different games.

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We were able to see our special friend do a phenomenal job as Dorothy!  

She is actually the age between my girls (despite their different sizes).

She is amazing and so very loved!

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Speaking of love, we love our cousins!  Josiah is beginning to crawl!

We got to celebrate our Lydia's birthday.

The big double digits!

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Grandma and grandpa brought over thoughtful Halloween bags for the kids!

Lot of celebrations, including all the fall fest that this month holds!  Trying to soak it all up with the family!