Halloween 2014

We went to the elementary school Halloween carnival the week before Halloween. We ate nachos and hot dogs. KayDee played all the games to get treats. She even surprised herself when she made a basket for the hoop shoot! There was even a haunted hall which Samantha relived over and over again! Just image a snowman (Olaf to be precise) running through the hall, terrified, being chased by a leaf blower! Derrick had a lot of people bump into him, I'm sure you can figure out why. I think he is the squishiest pumpkin ever!

Family Pictures 2014

 Fortunately the weather has been crazy beautiful this fall and we were able to take some great pictures by the hay bales. Normally I put effort into taking separate pictures for the kids school pictures but then I realized that is unnecessary. The kids took great pictures this year and their individual pictures turned out really good, even with the breeze!

 KayDee

 Samantha

Derrick

Of course we had to have some silly ones. Thank goodness for the ten second timer that takes three pictures at a time. It allows for me to blink and Samantha tried to get a different pose with each click!

Water Olympics and Mammoth Caves

 KayDee competed in the 3rd grade Water Olympics. She did such a great job floating and racing across the pool. I volunteered to be in the water as a judge and helper.

 I went with Derrick on the 5th grade field trip to Mammoth Caves and Cedar Breaks. The bus broke down right before we made our first destination and we waited almost two hours for a new bus. Although the trip had to be cut short it was a still a great time. Derrick made sure to meditate especially in the dark, damp cave.

The County Fair

 We went to our county fair on the last day and the lines were great and the crowds were minimal. It really worked out. The kids got to walk on water in huge, air filled balls.

 Samantha and I rode the ferris wheel together.

Kevin was the ticket holder.

School Started Again

 School started again. We have a 7th grader who goes to the high school, a 5th grader and a 3rd grader. These kids are excited to be back in school and learning new things.

Derrick is finishing up his Webelo year and got all dressed up. He only has three months left and he really wants to get his compass points!

 We had a fun surprise in our little pond near our house. There was so much rain that it has stayed full of water and the kids found tadpoles before school started (above). Then  we checked in on them a few weeks later and they were changing (below). Best summer science experience ever!

Cousin Time

We had cousins come to the farm to spend time with us and do some farm work. My brother's kids came for a few days and then my sister's kids came for a week and a half, and her boys even participated in the 4th of July program for our small town. They played out the revolutionary war and Derrick did the flag ceremony. They had fun doing the activities after like the races where they got a quarter for competing.

 This is the only picture I have from the Laub Reunion. This is Samantha and her cousin. The Laub reunion is Kevin's favorite reunion to go off-roading in the sand dunes. The kids enjoy riding horses, playing with cousins and second cousins, and riding the barrel train. There is also a program that we enjoy that has to do with family history.

KayDee and her cousin were able to go to two princess parties during the summer. They had a tea party and did fancy crafts. They definitely felt like princesses.

Ipson Reunion 2014

 So I remembered my camera this year and I took  A LOT of pictures! These are the ones of just our immediate family. We had a great time this year at the Ipson Reunion. The kids played and played and played. There were cousins, second cousins and many aunts and uncles to tease the kids. I think this was the biggest group we have had! We hiked to the caves, retrieved ice and made ice cream just like we do every year. Kevin made sure to lick the beater!
Butterflies were caught and tiny strawberries were picked and eaten. The four wheelers were well used by Derrick and hot dogs were smoked over the fire. Samantha held babies and KayDee even left some flowers for future campers. It was a great trip and we are so grateful to have these memories!

KayDee's Baptism

KayDee was baptized on July 5, 2014. She has been so excited to be baptized and when she had her interview with the Bishop, she answered the questions with confidence. The program was so great. Derrick was asked to give a talk about the Holy Ghost and did a great job writing it himself. We invited some friends to come and there was a lot of family who came too. She really loved having everyone there!
We are so excited that she decided to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This so special for our family and we are so happy for her!

Erickson Reunion

 We went to the Erickson Reunion without Kevin this year since it was during first crop. The kids had an amazing time at the reservoir playing on the beach and boating. KayDee caught small fish or tadpoles with her cousins, Derrick loves rowing that raft and Samantha loved to knee board behind the boat. The kids played and played and played with all the fun stuff the resort offered. They golfed, swam, played games, decorated their reunion shirt and watched movies and ate! We did the team relay race a couple of times and had a grand finalie jumping in the pool as a big group. We are so grateful we get to have this time to spend together and make these memories.