Happy Halloween!

This Halloween Kade and Brady dressed up as "wild" Indians. We started our trick or treating adventure at Aunt Lolo and Uncle Joe's house. They gave each of the boys a coloring book and some candy. From there, we headed over the the Hathaway's house. Tudie made the boys her famous sugar cookies that are absolutely delicious. They also snuck some candy into their pumpkin baskets as well. After we left the Hathaway's, we were on our way to Aunt Stacy and Uncle Trey's house. They were having a Halloween garage party. We had quite a crew of little ones to take trick or treating. We had the Maurer kiddos, the Kellers, the Stolzs, the Stelters, the Rau boys, the Hardy girls, and a couple of other families on our trick or treating expedition. We went to some of the houses in Aunt Stacy and Uncle Trey's neighborhood. This was Brady's first year of trick or treating to really understand what is was all about. He was all about the candy though. He got a kick out of walking up to the different houses and them putting candy in his pumpkin bucket. We finished off the night with good food and good company at the Hardy home. We look forward to next year's Halloween garage party. Thanks for a great time Aunt Stacy and Uncle Trey.

Happy 5th Birthday Kade!

WOW!! I can't believe my little baby is already five years old. Where is the time going? He is growing up so fast. Kade is a wonderful little boy. He fills our hearts with so much love and joy. He has grown very independent, that is for sure. Sometimes Dane and I think he is too smart for his own good. He has an answer for everything and a question for everything. He always wants to know more. On his actual birthday, which was October 22nd, we had the family over for chicken and dumplings. Nana and Papa Rau, Popo Loewe, Aunt Lolo and Uncle Joe, and the Hardy family came over for a little celebration. We sang "Happy Birthday" and had some ice cream cake. After cake, Kade opened his presents, and he loved them all.

On Halloween morning, Kade celebrated his birthday along with three of his best buddies, Ian Stelter, Dawson Dreahn, and Eric Acshenbeck. They all turn five around the same time. We threw a party for them out at the "Rogas Party Barn." We invited a bunch of their friends from school as well as some close family friends. Being that it was Halloween, we went with that theme and threw a costume party. We had a great turnout and an extroidinary day for a party. All the kids looked adorable in all their costumes. I think Kade thoroughly enjoyed his 5th birthday. We wish him many many more future birthdays, and you can bet we will continue to celebrate each and every one of them. Happy Birthday Kade Alan!

Kade with Birthday buddies Ian, Eric & Dawson

Kade with Cousin Leah and friend Hannah at his birthday party.


Kade and Brady taking a ride in the Birthday Train.


Kade with friend Lily Carlson.


Kade and Brady with cousins Jenna and Leah.


We had a great turnout at the party.


Kade and Brady having fun with Aunt Lolo after the party.

Pumpkin Carving!

Because we live out in the country, we obviously don't get trick or treaters in our neck of the woods, but nonetheless the boys still love carving Halloween pumpkins every year and setting them out on the front porch lit up each night. Their favorite part is cleaning out the seeds. I think they love it because it is so messy. Dane took the boys out behind the chicken house to clean out the pumpkins. He told them to throw the seeds over the fence. He took a few things to the barn, and when he returned Kade had followed his instructions, but Brady on the other hand decided to decorate the side of the chicken house with his seeds. We now have one orange splattered side to the chicken house. I carved the pumpkins out for them. They get a kick out of the pumpkins every year. It is the little things in life, like carving a pumpkin, that can put the biggest smile on two little boys' faces.

Sunday Hayride!

The Maurer family hosted their first annual fall hayride last Sunday, and it ended up being the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon and evening. We went on about an hour long hayride down some back roads on a trailer pulled by a tractor. The boys had a great time. They enjoyed riding with all their friends and looking at all the animals along the way. When we got back, the Maurer's had hotdogs, chili, frito pies, and many more snacks waiting for us to munch on. All the kids played and had an overall terrific time. Thanks Maurer's for inviting us. We look forward to the second annual fall hayride.

PooPoo in the Potty!

We have been trying for sometime now to get Brady potty trained. We are not quite there 100% yet, but we are getting close thanks to Mrs. Connie at St. Paul's. He will potty for her all day long, but at home it is a different story. This past week he pooped in the potty for the first time at school. Mrs. Connie said the first two times she caught him in the corner and hurried him to the potty, and he went. She said that he was so proud of himself. Yesterday when I picked him up, she said that he came to her on his own and told her he needed to poo poo. Dane and I have been bribing him like crazy to go on the potty at home. We told him we would give him candy, and after yesterday I told him that if he would poo poo in the potty at home we would go buy a new toy. His response was "the potty at home is too big. I just go in my pull-up." Oh Lordy!! I am hoping this is a battle that Dane and I are able to conquer soon. No matter what though we are making progress slowly but surely.

Soccer Season Begins!

Kade had his first soccer game this week, and he really had fun playing. He is finally old enough to start getting involved in things, and this is the first sport he can now play. His team's name is "Rampage," and Dane is his coach. There are six other little boys on his team including his buddy Ian Stelter. They really do have a good little team. Those boys are so competitive; it is fun watching them play. They won their first game Tuesday. Kade didn't score a goal but came very close; the ball hit the goal post and bounced away. They lost their second game Thursday, but Kade did get the opportunity to score a goal. He was so proud of himself, and Mommy and Daddy were pretty proud too. Although our schedules have gotten a bit busier now, we wouldn't have it any other way. We are having fun and enjoying watching our boys grow up no matter how busy our lives may get.

Kade warming up before the game.

Kade playing some defense.


Kade trying to take the ball in and score a goal.


Rampage celebrating their first victory.

Mother/Son Camp!

Last weekend, Kade and I attended a mother/son camp with my college roommate, Amber, and her son, Garrett. Kade and Garrett are the same age, and they really hit if off and had a great time together the entire weekend. The camp was Camp Peniel in Marble Falls. It is a religious based camp. Amber and Garrett have been before, but Kade and I really didn't know what to expect. The camp is beautiful; it's 375 acres of basically Hill Country. We arrived last Friday evening where they had burgers, hot dogs, and frito pies waiting for us. After dinner, everyone met out a big field to play some games and get to know each other a little better. The boys ranged from ages 4-17. Saturday morning we met at what is called "Stone Hindge" for an opening prayer session for the day and then attended a five course breakfast. After breakfast the boys were split up according to age and went to a bible study with different camp counselors. A speaker was there to talk to all the mothers about raising children, discipline, and teaching them to know right from wrong. She was a great speaker; I enjoyed listening to her and learned a few things as well. At around 11:00 Saturday morning, we were on our own pretty much the rest of the day to participate in all the activities. We went horseback riding first, then headed over to shoot bow and arrows and sling shots before back tracking to go shoot BB guns. Before the afternoon was over, we managed to go canoeing, fishing, and rock climbing as well. They also had zip lining, which we passed on; it was way too high for Kade and lots of water activities in the lake. That night after another five course meal, we went on a hayride and ended up in the middle of the woods around a campfire where we all sang songs, had a snack, and thanked God for a wonderful camping experience. We headed home Sunday morning after breakfast, and let me tell you all, we were exhausted. I loved my time and cherished every minute I got to spend with my little man, Kade. We had a blast together. Thank you Amber and Garrett for inviting us to join the two of you for the weekend. We can't wait to go back next year.

Kade riding his first horse ever.

I feel sorry for the birds around our house in the future.


I think Kade's ready for bow season.


Kade at the shooting range practicing with a BB gun.


Kade rock climbing.


A relaxing canoe ride in the lake.


A little fishing to end the day.