Where did October go?

I realize I haven't been updating the blog that much. We have been sick! It seems like right when we think the kids are over something, they catch another bug!

Somewhere in October we had a few healthy days. We went to Rader Family Farms with our friends, the Smiths, to pick pumpkins and enjoy the fall festivities.





Here is Ethan and his friend, Cooper, climbing the haystacks.

The caterpillar train was a favorite!

Here is our little photo op. It was kind of weird that none of the dads are in the photo. They were both behind their respective cameras! Anyway, to right is Christine with her son, Cooper, and daughter, Courtney.

Another weekend we managed to drive up to Starved Rock to enjoy the fall foliage. It's our favorite place to hike, but this time we explored a new canyon.

This is called St. Louis Canyon. It was gorgeous! I strapped Kate to my back so she could hopefully see what I was seeing.

This was the closest Ethan and David got to climbing into a real cave (a couple of feet above their heads).

It was a long walk back to the car! We were tired!

Last week the kids enjoyed "Fall Fun Day" at school. There was a special snack, a magic show, a mini pumpkin patch where they picked their own pumpkin and painted it during craft time. I think Kate had a little help with hers :)

Well, tonight is Halloween night and we have a birthday party to go to, trick or treating to do and a church Halloween "alternative" (I guess they would call it). We actually have costumes this year, so stay tuned for pics!

Happy 1st Birthday, Kate!

We made it! Last Friday marked Kate's 1st Birthday!


We've had some very busy weeks this past month, so we had a small celebration for her. Two celebrations, in fact. Early Friday morning (when it was still dark), I left for Michigan to work one of the two Hearts at Home Conferences this fall. But we didn't want to let the big day go by unobserved. So David, Ethan and Kate had a little party at home. Then on Monday, we threw a lunchtime playdate with some of Kate's and Ethan's friends.

It really is hard to believe how quickly this year flew by. The older Kate gets, the more fun it is to watch both her and Ethan play and interact together. I am sure it will soon turn to fighting! But these are sweet days when David and I often sit back and watch our children do all the delightful things that small children do, especially since they are still so cute, so sweet, and they still adore you. Like any good sweet treat, I will certainly savor this for as long as I can :)

At one year, Kate is 22.5 pounds and 29.5 inches tall. I don't know what percentiles these measurements fall into since her official check up isn't for a few more weeks. She is officially a toddler! I'm trying to think of some unique facts about her, but to be honest, you just have to see for yourself. I should mention that she has four teeth on top and on the bottom, doesn't eat baby food at all, and is getting better and better and using her sippy cup. She loves to play with it, actually. She will often walk around the house carrying her bottle or cup, shaking whatever is inside of it.

One of her favorite things to do is climb up on anything she can get to, particularly the fireplace and staircase.


And she loves to clap, cheer and hear music.

Here's to a wonderful year of firsts and many more birthday celebrations to come!