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.