This is how I find Erika most mornings. She's always so pleasant. Her brothers will go in her room when they wake up to see if she's awake. Tysen likes to reach in the side of the crib to squeeze her pink seahorse so it will light up and play music. She likes that. 

Tysen and Bowen had a friend over to play one afternoon. They were making me a snack and playing with the kitchen set that my grandfather built when I was a child. 

Alexa is leading the way on my run. She's a great exercise partner! I always pretend like I get lost in the woods and she enjoys showing me the way out. 

So proud of our beautiful school

Erika has big news! She has her ears pierced! Alexa and Gavin came along for support. Then we went out for ice cream. 

We've had a beautiful fall and enjoy spending time outdoors in the sunshine. 

Painted Pumpkins

I had fun this year painting some of my pumpkins. 

Alexa's 7th Birthday!

Here's the birthday girl! She put on her special hat that her teacher gave her. We also opened birthday gifts from Grandpa and Grandma McGrew. We both got a pair of these snazzy purple slippers. 

And then we got ready for her PARTY!

First we did pumpkin painting

Bowen and Tysen both surprised me by how interested they were in painting. 

Then we had cake or cupcakes

Then we went outside to break the piñata while the pumpkins were drying. 

Birthday girl got to go first

Then youngest to oldest. Bowen's never witnessed anyone hit a piñata with a bat, but as soon as we handed him the bat, he took a good hard swing!

One of the bigger kids knocked the piñata to the ground, but it didn't break open. 

Pretty soon, a combine harvesting the beans in the field directly behind our backyard got so close that we were engulfed in a dust storm with flying debris. I grabbed the piñata and the kids and parents ran to the front yard. We had to finish the piñata in the driveway. 

After all the kids had enough turns with the bat, I had to pick up the piñata and rip it open. 

Next we went inside so Alexa could open her presents. 

Her favorite gift was a Hello Kitty scooter. 

Gavin had to keep going outside to check on his pumpkin. He was very pleased with how spooky it turned out. 

Alexa received these butterfly wings in the mail from her friend, Emme. 

After the party, we enjoyed some time outside. 

Alexa loves the scooter!

10-25-2014