A Trip To The Pumpkin Patch

Sam had his first field trip with his Kindergarten class -- a trip to his favorite pumpkin patch! It was the perfect fall day -- sunny but with a little chill in the air.

Matthew got to tag along as a class helper -- and snapped a few pictures.

Sam and his class on the hay pyramid.

Helping wash pumpkins.

Having fun with friends!

Dog pile on Miss Schoenborn!

Sam is ready to go back -- and we will -- we still need to make our annual family trip to Joe's Place for a few more pumpkins!

Goodbye Training Wheels!

The pictures tell the story...


We are so proud of Sam!

A Mouse In The House

Sam decided he wanted to put mouse holes around the house and make a mouse to live in the holes!

He and Zak had a great time moving the mouse holes around and "helping" the mouse to find it's new home.


Sam has a book on drawing animals -- didn't he do a great job?

Big Test

Zak's shorts might be my biggest laundry test to date.

It's not looking good!

Family Fun Day!

Saturday was family day -- we worked a little in the yard, ran some errands and then headed off for some fun!

The boys picked up sprinkle doughnuts while we ran errands in the morning -- they were lucky there were just two left!

Sam is a lover of sprinkles!


Zak's first sprinkle doughnut -- pretty sure
he won't be going back to plain, old glazed!

We worked in the yard pulling out the summer annuals and putting in plants for the fall and did a little clean-up outside. It was a gorgeous day to be outside -- close to 80 degrees.

After Zak's nap we cleaned up and headed out for a friendly game of miniature golf. The boys loved it and can't wait to go back again. Matthew got the only hole-in-one. Sam did a 2-putt for a couple of the holes. Zak was not a great rule follower -- but had fun anyway. Mom was the most consistent. We did not keep score -- we kept track of Zak instead!

Sam tees off!

Nice shot -- with a little help from Dad.

Zak preferred to carry the ball...

...and put it in the hole. Much easier
than using the golf club!

Nice putt, Sam!

The putt-putt course is behind The Steakburger, a little hambuger place that has been around since the 1960's -- not much has been done to it since then -- but it had great food and we could eat outside and watch people golf. We will definitely go back!

Fun, fun day!

Mr. Independent

Zak wants to do things all by himself. It's not always done correctly -- but that doesn't seem to bother him!

Lately, he wants to put his bike helmet on by himself and throws a fit if anyone tries to help him.

Backwards is another option...not the
correct option...but another option!

Not quite right -- but he is very cute!

After he has a chance to do it all by himself, then he will let one of us fix it for him.

A Dog's Life

Zak loves anything dog-related. He has dog pajamas, he has books about dogs, he thinks every dog he sees wants to be petted, he has six stuffed dogs, five of which sleep with him every day. He just has a thing for dogs.

Zak has a little dog that Sam gave him for his 1st birthday. He loves this dog, which he calls "Dog" -- it goes everywhere with him.

Every morning Zak gets out a placemat, a bowl and a
spoon for Dog. He always shares a little bit of his cereal.

He goes in the car when we take Sam to school, running
errands, going to church. Sometimes Dog even wears a seatbelt.

Zak always shares his food with Dog.

Naptime for Zak and Dog!
They both get a blanky and a binky.

They both love to sit with Mom
on the couch and read books.

Dog is often a part of whatever Zak is doing.

Such good little buddies!