Our Crazy Life!: Halloween and More….

I think for Christmas this year I should get Nolan some new games. I'm sort of getting tired of playing the same four games over and over. The only thing that keeps it interesting are the rules changes every time we play. He loves to play games!

Ever since Ryan took the boys to the hockey game Nolan has been into playing with his little hockey guys.

Nolan helped me make some yummy treats for the Halloween party.

We had parent teacher conferences this past week. I love Spencer's self portrait. I can't tell if he has long hair or if that's supposed to be his arms with no body. He wanted to grow his hair like Clay Matthews, so it very well could be hait!

He did better with his skeleton.

Spencer's Conference Update: His teacher had nothing but good things about Spencer. She said he is responsible, respectful and safe. Those are the 3 categories they measure the kids on. Spencer always gets to help with snack. She said he is a great helper and loves having him in class. Academically Spencer still struggles at times. We are still working on how to offer him the right help. He loves math but still struggles with reading and writing. The bright side of it all is it hasn't impacted his attitude yet during school. Meaning he doesn't get frustrated or seem discouraged that he needs extra help. He's still positive and tries really hard.

Easton's Conference Update: Easton's teacher described him as "Mr. Kindergarten." I hope that's a good thing! She said he is ALWAYS smiling and very social. He is a really good helper and tries hard. She did mention though that he is full of energy and always bouncing around. I'm not sure that's always a good thing. She said at the start of the year she focuses mostly on the social part of school. How are they adjusting to classroom rules, getting along with other kids and focusing on learning. She said he's doing great and has no concerns.

We couldn't have asked for better conferences! We are so proud of our boys when they are at school. Now if that behavior could carry over to home that would be great!

Our little peanut freezes at night so he found his way to the heater in his room. Don't worry we turn it off before we go to bed.

Spencer has a list of 20 spelling words each week. Getting him to practice at home can be painful at times. So Ryan came up with a fun idea. He got to write his words in pudding.

The best part was eating the pudding after.

Ryan took Spencer to the book fair one morning before school. Easton still wanted to ride the bus but they ran into him in the hallway. It was hat day at school.

Grandma Nancy came up for a visit last weekend. We kept her very busy. Friday night while the older boys were at the football game with Ryan Grandma got to play games with Nolan.

She brought the boys coloring books and new books to read.

Grandma also came to soccer with us on Saturday morning. It looks sunny but it was chilly!

The pink hat is Easton.

Nolan got to do the throw in.

We stopped by the rink to order our hockey apparel and we got to see baby Parker. His dad is the general manager at the store.

Grandma Nancy and Ryan took the boys to the science museum. Ryan said it was a lot of fun and the boys were really interested in everything.

It was back to her hotel for some swimming.

They had the traditional pizza party in the room.

While they were busy having fun I was busy getting ready for our annual Halloween party. We added some new games this year.

Pinterest makes party planning a bit more fun and festive but also more stressful!

Our 2 Oompa Loompas and crazy scientist were ready for the party to begin.

We had a total of 27 kids plus adults! Talk about a full house.

All the kids did really well going to the different stations playing the games.

The toilet paper mummy wrap is always a hit.

Notice it's all girls around the craft table.

We added a fishing game this year.

Time to eat. Even with this many people it all worked out.

Here's some videos of the crazy!

We headed outside for a scavenger hunt.

We finished off with a piñata. Sadly our piñata didn't last very long so not every kid got a chance at it.

It broke on the 3rd kid. Look at the long line of kids waiting their turn!

They are all after the candy!

Notice a tall oompa loompa pouting in the back he didn't get a chance to hit it

2nd costume change? Nope he's just going out to play catching with the neighbor.

I love little kids in new jammies.

The boys have learned the art of photo bombing!

I love this art project that Nolan brought home.

Nolan and I on a random stay home day.

We got "Boo'd" by a neighbor and Nolan was taking inventory of the goodies.

It was our turn to Boo someone. The boys were super excited to sneak up to someones house to ring the door bell and run away.

This was the view from our bedroom window. It never gets old seeing hot air balloons.

Ryan took the boys to another Wild game. They got there really early so they had time to watch warm ups. I feel like in this picture the boys are taking it all in and dreaming that someday it will be them on the ice.

Giving high fives to the players.

Ryan tried to keep them entertained with peanuts.

Ryan's building has been sold so its only a matter of time before he moves to the new site. His team did a trial run at the new building. Ryan said it's a really nice campus.

This however was his favorite room. The team building room. Pool table, video games, bubble hockey, shuffle board, dart board and more. Have to work hard play hard I guess...

I took Nolan and Jake to como zoo.

While we were there we ran into Rory and his dad.

Love my little monkey!

We went to Eau Claire and had pizza at Auntie's. We followed it up with a dance party.

Spencer made earrings, a colar and nose thing all our of snap bracelets.

We attended our annual adult Halloween party. We went at "Orange Is The New Black"

Ryan is the cop on the left

Ryan and I paid the price for all the fun we had the next day.

I spot a Josie hanging out in Auntie's car. She LOVES being in cars. I often find her hiding in mine.

They are working on the dam on Grandpa and Grandma's lake. They've had to drain the water about 8-10 feet. Grandma thought this would be a perfect time to clear the rocks along their shore to make it more sandy for when the kids swim.

Josie enjoyed her last swim in the lake.

Normally this is all under water.

I was able to attend Nolan's first school field trip. He was SO excited to ride the bus. He told me over and over how he didn't have to wear a seat belt.

We took a hay ride out to the pumpkin patch.

They had a snack of donut holes.

We got to feed the animals.

And do an apple launch.

He had so much fun and I'm so happy I could be a part of his day.

Kenley came over to visit and the kids did their homework together.

Easton loves reading and bringing home new books each night to read.

Spencer read to us one night.

The boys and I made homemade pizza.

While our pizza bakes we craved our pumpkins.

We couldn't believe it but it actually snowed that day! Only in WI will you carve pumpkins while it's snowing outside.

The boys and Josie checking out the snow.

Nolan picked a design from a book and Spencer and Easton wanted Ryan to create scary faces.

We love these 3 more then they will ever know.

Nolan was over me taking pictures that night.

Big changes for Spencer! He's getting reading glasses and he's beyond excited about it. When he had his follow up exam a few months back she noted some changes in his eyes. She wanted to give his eyes some more time to adjust since he was just finishing up his vision therapy at the time. Well during this exam his eyes hadn't changed. Spencer's far vision is 20/20 but she notices a lot of fatigue and weakening when he's trying to see things close up. Her recommendation because he still struggles a lot with reading and writing was to try reading glasses. She's hopeful they will help with the areas he struggles with in school. His eyes are horrible so he will only have to wear them during school.

Like I said he is beyond excited. He picked out his favorite pair and we both agreed they looked good. He also likes that they are blue and have camouflage on them.

Here is an example of Spencer's school work. You notice all of his reversals. This is VERY common for his writing.

Nolan's class had their Halloween party.

Easton also had their classroom party. They don't get to wear their costumes in elementary school anymore so they made fun spider shirts.

My little mummy!

I took the boys downtown trick or treating.

A local photographer took pictures of the kids in their costumes.

The boys were watching Willy Wonka...

Here's a look back at past Halloweens:

It's all fun and games until some idiots in their early 20's ruin your night. Our neighbor told us he noticed someone stopped by our house (we were at a different neighbors eating pizza pre trick or treating). When I went home to see if they dropped something off I noticed 1/2 of our candy had been taken. Trick or treating hadn't even started. I was so mad. Why do people have to ruin things for kids? We actually ran into them on a different street doing the same thing to other houses. Seriously who needs that much candy? Ryan actually caught them in the act at a house and knocked on their car door window as they waited for the girl to get back in and they exchanged a few words. If I find out my boys ever did something like that I would be irate!