Humpback whale

The fifth graders at Brady's school started these projects last year, but didn't have time to finish.  When Brady joined the class this year, he was way behind on the project but the art teacher was so impressed with the way he jumped right into it and finished on time with his classmates.  

Fourth grade field trip hike

Rudy's class got to take advantage of a beautiful fall day to head out to a local trail for a morning nature walk.  I tagged along, and loved the chance to get to know his classmates.  They all loved this giant tree stump, and would have been perfectly happy playing on it all morning!

They all agreed that this honey locust tree looked like something out of the world of Harry Potter!

Charlie

Charlie is pretty funny about her bedtime routine.  She likes to go outside, but usually just stands on the front porch.  When she comes back in, she sprints upstairs and waits by the master bedroom for until James or I open it.  Then she scoots under the bed as fast as she can and won't come out again until morning.

Occasionally, the kids try to get her to stay in their rooms at night.  She may jump into bed with them to say hi, but never stays more than a minute.  No way would she consider staying overnight!

Rudy asked if Charlie would protect us if a robber came at night.  Firstly, I seriously doubt she'd even wake up.  Second, I joked that she'd most likely invite us into her den under the bed..."hey, guys, come in here be quiet and we'll all be safe!"

Furniture shopping

James and I spent several hours picking out and ordering new furniture.  Brady and Rudy spent several hours camped out on a macdaddy sofa and watching Pirates of the Caribbean.  I think they got the better deal.

Beckett

 We had planned to visit Blake and Heather on 11/1 because we hadn't seen them in a long time.  We knew that was her due date, so we were even more excited when Beckett was born a few days before and we got to visit with Blake, Heather, Skylar, AND new baby Beckett.

 

 

Trick or Treat!

Inspired by our vacation last summer, these guys went with a Roman theme for Halloween this year.  Brady was a Roman gladiator and Rudy was Emperor Vespasian.   Brady opted for a purchased gladiator costume, even though we all really liked his homemade efforts a few years ago.  He did design his own helmet, but opted not to wear it in the end.  Rudy's costume consisted of a white shower curtain and red pillowcase from Goodwill, tied with a rope and topped off with a purchased laurel wreath crown. 

Mary Emma (Annabeth from Percy Jackson) and Kate (Katniss from Hunger Games) joined us again for trick or treating this year.  These guys covered some serious ground in the neighborhood this year.  Best guess for total candy collection between last night and tonight is somewhere around 16 pounds!

 

Trick or treat, round 1

For the first time since we've lived here, the university had trick or treating on campus the day before Halloween.  We've never been able to make it before, but the kids were glad to try it out.  We were able to get there early and beat the biggest crowds.

Next up was dinner - Mexican as requested by the kids.  Rudy and Memma were so excited to get to share an enormous plate of nachos!  We finished out the night with the mens' soccer game...we stuck it all the way out through two overtimes to still see it end in a tie!

Fatty hummingbird

I loved watching this hummingbird fatten himself up before his long flight south for the winter.  

Does this sound good to ANYONE?

How is this comfortable?

Homework and hot cider

Anything you can do...I can do (but probably not better...)

Now that the weather has cooled, the strategy of leaving the basement door open for the cats doesn't really work anymore.  The draft coming up is just too cold.  I measured and the door to the laundry room (where the litterbox used to be) is the same size as the basement door.  I decided this was a project I could tackle on my own.  (Man, that basement door is HEAVY!)  

All went swimmingly until the exchanged door wouldn't catch.  James didn't want me to mess with it, and went so far as to almost indicated that I couldn't fix it.  Challenge accepted!!

So there.  Installed and closed!

Soccer games, butter making, pumpkin carving, and birthday cake

Wow - we squeezed a lot of fun into one Saturday.  Brady had an early soccer game and played superbly in goal - he received lots of compliments from teammates and spectators on his efforts.   

Rudy had a late afternoon game, so we came home in between.  The boys went out exploring with Oma and Papa and wandered through a thicket of "stick tights"...which was followed by the great fun of removing the stickers from clothing.  

Somehow it came to my attention last week that they boys had never made butter.  This seemed like a rite of passage to me, as I very clearly remember doing it in elementary school.  We made our butter, but kind of cheated by using the stand mixer.

 Next, it was back into town for Rudy's game.  Rudy played some solid defense, but also showed some skill on offense.  He prefers defense, but I really hope he doesn't limit himself to fullback.

The boys had planned a meal for Oma to celebrate her birthday.  Brady made pot roast with veggies and gravy and Rudy made a lemon bundt cake. 

 

Last on the agenda for the day was  pumpkin carving.  

Deep in thought, considering his options?

River walking and rock climbing

Oma and Papa came up last night to watch Brady's school soccer game and then to spend the weekend with us. The boys had a half day of school today. The weather was beautiful, so we went to the river for a few hours.  Rudy took his r/c boat and we passed a pleasant few hours skipping and throwing rocks. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Oma's birthday present this year was a trip to the local indoor rock climbing center.  It's hard work, but we all had fun trying different routes.  Brady is a natural monkey, and scales the walls  like it's a piece of cake!  Rudy is a bit more cautious on the vertical climbs, but loved any opportunity to swing from the ceiling!