Life Lately - October

I'm using the term "lately" pretty loosely, but here is a little (or a lot) of what we've been up to since the last time I blogged!  The kids got to do another bike race in Bellevue toward the end of August.  Maddy loved getting to "race" against her pal, Ruby.  We also got to have the world's best BBQ afterward at Swine Dining.  Oh my goodness, words can not express how delicious it was!

Fun in August also included my niece's 4th birthday party.  Maddy got to have a sleepover with Paige and all her cousins.  We also took a trip to Lincoln to get Maddy's new bike and enjoyed some ice cream at the UNL Dairy Store too.  Again... delicious!  Our good friends (and former daycare provider) held a park date and the kids had so much fun getting to play with their friends, Haley, Carson, and Colby.  Although this was later in September, we also took a trip to Des Moines for Bryan's cyclocross race.  The kids enjoyed getting to stay in a hotel (which included a pool and "rocket" elevator)!  We toured the Iowa State Capitol too.

September also brought another family birthday.  A 2nd birthday party!  Evan and Jack were not amused at being asked about their princess table.  Jack also has had a great start to his school year!  He got to have some fun in the bounce houses for the school meeting their goal at the fundraiser!

And... with niece's birthday parties lately, I also got a brand new niece in September.  Jack and Maddy couldn't get enough of her in the hospital.  I think Maddy held her about 6 times!  Paige thinks she is pretty special too and enjoys being a big sister.

One of the best perks of Bryan's job (in my opinion... besides a salary & insurance, of course) is our free trip to Vala's Pumpkin Patch.  It is always such a great time!  I'm glad we had the distraction of this trip as that morning we had to say good-bye to our furry boy, Tonka.  He was 14.5 years old and we greatly miss him!  It was nice to get to do something fun as a family that evening!

And here we are... October.  The first quarter of the school year has flown by.  We're getting ready for Halloween, Maddy's birthday, and cheering on the Cubs!  Bryan's pizza handiwork is impressive.  He made this the night the Cubs beat the Pirates to get into the division series.  And we were ecstatic when they beat the Cardinals to get to the NCLS.  Now some tough games against the Mets.  We continue to cheer!!!  Go Cubs!