Cassidy's grandma invited the whole herd of grand kids to her company Christmas party this year. It was really fun for the kids, there were rides, Santa and a movie.
As we were leaving it started to snow, just in time to get us in the Christmas mood!
We joined Rod's siblings in their tradition of going to Nates property and cutting down a Christmas Tree. It was the first time I have ever done anything like this and I really didn't know what to expect.
Everyone wandered the property to find their perfect tree..
After the tree's were tied and secure, the kids went sledding down a little hill, their sleds being whatever we could find in our trucks, like a windshield sun cover and a plastic thingy for muddy boots!
Although I am typically a fake tree fan, it was so worth not having the 'perfect' tree to have this adventure with our family. I hope we can do it again next year!
Rod and I have had a tradition since the first year we were married.. Some people think it is kind of violent, but it is SO FUN and an activity I really look forward to every fall!
We collect as many pumpkins as we can (it is usually the day after Thanksgiving so they are no longer needed as decoration). We set them up and then fire away! We did not do as much destruction as we normally do because the price of ammo was so high.. But we definitely did some damage!
My personal favorite is the shot gun blasts, but the rifle is alot of fun to shoot too! Cassidy got to shoot her 22 that grandma & grandpa gave her! One of these years there will be a gigantic pumpkin patch in the middle of nowhere and everyone who drives by will wonder how it got there! ;-)
It was a busy night with the feast, gingerbread houses and turkey's! It was alot of fun, and Cassidy fell asleep the second we were in the car! We are very thankful for our families and the great life we have together! I couldn't ask for more than my awesome husband, sweet baby and my little girl who is my best buddy!
Rod was disappointed that I didn't post a picture of this years deer, since it is his FAVORITE time of the year.. so here ya go! It had a HUGE body, with a decent 3 pts. Me and the kids spent one afternoon with him and his brothers and he took Cassidy for a little hunt.. It was fun, she enjoys hunting with her daddy, even if it is only on the Wii or shooting at the pigeons nesting on the barn.
It was pretty small, but there were a couple of activities to do with the kids and there were some booths set up for food and shopping etc. Cassidy's favorite one was the face painting booth! She HAD to have a snake!
I could only wash her face around the snake for 2 Days, finally I told her it had to come off for church, and she replied with "but Jesus wants to see my snake, he really likes them!" What do you say to that? No he doesn't?? It doesn't match your dress? seriously..
Can't go to a fair without the cotton candy! YUMMY!
They had a couple of activities, like a petting zoo, hay ride and maze. You can see Sis & Jack peeking over the edge. They also made a witch craft out of an egg carton!
There were plenty of picture opportunities! Cassidy had to pose for all of them!
Cody slept through most of it, but liked the Hay ride. All in all it was a fun afternoon! 
And so the tradition continues.. going to the pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin!
It was really cold this year! But it was as fun as always!
Jack decided his needed an extra.. something..
From Left to Right: Cassidy's, Jennie's, Lori's, Jacks
Cody was the cutest chick ever for Halloween. He slept the whole time, but it was fun to dress him up anyway!
First day of school is always so exciting! I can't believe how fast she is growing up! especially when I compare her to Cody!
Here she is posing for me, which is RARE!
And here she is in her class with her best buddies, from left to right:
Cody was blessed the first weekend in August.
We had friends and family over for lunch and it was so great to see everyone! We loved having everyone come over, brave the HEAT and share the special day with us!
Here is Sis and Cody. He adores her so much! It was the perfect day!
We went camping over Labor Day weekend up to one of our usual spot on Skyline Drive.
Cody doesn't care for the out doors like Cassidy did! But he is going to have to get use to it!
We took the kids for a hike just outside of camp it was alot of fun, but the kids got tired fast so we took the road back.. Good Times!
My bro-in law is WAY into hiking these days, so we went with him and his kids and hiked down to the beaver ponds and let the kids play and make "soup" for the beavers.. :)
Here they are standing on the beaver dam, all in all it was a really fun weekend! It was good weather for the most part, cool evenings.. It was perfect!
