Halloween 2014, First Hallowen in Madison!

Pumpkin Patch with Aunt Jenn

I'm so glad we got a chance to go to the pumpkin patch at Appleberry Farm while Aunt Jenn was in town.  We ate fancy caramel apples, took turns on the tire swings, rode a hay ride, learned about berries & bees, shared a brat, lost sunglasses, found sunglasses, clucked at chickens, cock-a-doodle-dooed at a rooster and spent a good deal of effort learning how to drive a wheelbarrow.  It took a while to pick out exactly the right 3 pumpkins to take home, but I trust that we have the perfect ones to kick off the carving seasons!

Random Fun Stuff

Okay, I'll try to explain these pictures as they occurred: The first is picnic point, when Ahma & Ahpa were in town.  We parked about a mile from this natural peninsula separating the bays of Lake Mendota, and had lunch.

Here is a picture of Nevi during a round of "kitty cave" that turned into a "see who can growl the loudest" competition

The kids have so much fun doing glue & paper projects, so this was one Kate set up for them to highlight the fall season

Coda loves to dance!  His inspiration for this particular routine comes from the ever-smooth and soulful Reed Foehl"s new album

Coda & daddy had a lunch picnic at the State Capitol building.  Here's Coda T listening to some protestors sing while enjoying his peanut butter sandwich.  Such a rebel!

Coda tackles Mama on their lovely nature walk at Aldo Leopold Center.  The two photos below are also from their date, earlier this week.

Our family pyramid portrait "selfie"

Post-bath pajama shot

Nevi composed this...a nice little nature scene.  We went to the Madison City High School Cross Country Meet, and amidst running from one strategic spot to another to watch the races, there was plenty of time to gather a few feathers, do a ton of cartwheels and get crazy on the playground.  A high energy event, to say the least!

More photos from the State Capitol (exterior & interior).  Coda & I were working on understanding the difference between a "city" and a "state."  I think I'm a little clearer after his explanations

Splashing and wading at Dunn's Marsh after a heavy rainfall!

First day of kindergarten

Nevi's first day of kindergarten was very exciting!  Huegel Elementary is only 5-6 blocks away from our house so we walk there and home most all days, weather permitting.  Nevi loves her teacher, Mrs. Henderson, and has found some friends in her class already.  Today is the last day of her first week and she was still excited about school this morning - even woke up on her own at 7am, rearing to go, which for those her know her, know the girl can sleep in... LATE.  !!!! Awesome times ahead....

Labor Day Weekend

Gearing up for the end of summer and 'back to school' routine, we had one last summer visit from Ahma, Ahpa and Aunt Jenn. And a wonderful time was had!!!!... Hiked to picnic point overlooking Lake Mendota, went to Lake Mills to meet Robb and Jenn's cousin/family who live near Milwaukee for lunch and a quick swim (darn horse flies!).  We did some back to school shopping and winterizing (THANKS AHMA!) and Ahpa helped us with a few more things around the house (what would we do without you Ahpa!?). Plus, while here, Ahma received an ice bucket challenge from a friend of hers so we did that! Brave and awesome lady.  Always sad to see them leave....even though they are only hours away.

Garden

When not playing with the kids, cooking or exploring something new and fun in Madison, the garden is where I spend a lot of time.  Even the kids have enjoyed it... they helped do the initial planting but also help with the ongoing weeding and worm searching (and their favorite part.. the harvest.  We planted: zucchini, cucumbers, acorn squash, pumpkins, watermelon, tomatoes, peanuts, wildflowers, and have a berry section with strawberries, raspberries and blueberries.  We had some perennial dillweed pop up under the mill so I turned that section into our herb section with chives and basil as well. The garden plot was nothing but weeds as high as my shoulders when we arrived so I rented a tiller from Home Depot and went to town.  The windmill is supposed to keep the bunnies away (which we have living under our gazebo and shed) but next year, I'll need to make-shift a scarecrow of sorts because the birds LOVE my garden.  We have also put up a badminton net, a old/used swingset that is hours of daily entertainment, and recently created a beautiful fire pit for fall bonfires.  Our backyard is heavily used by these games, plus frisbee and baseball are daily activities.  

Indiana Trip

This was, hands down, the best vacation away from home we had all summer.... a 7 hour drive to Indiana to see Nana, PopPop and all the awesome aunts and uncles (and cousin, I have no pix of you Cydney!!!).  We swam, fished (Nevi caught 6 fish!), skipped rocks, jet ski'd, pontoon boated, searched for shells, watched the moon rise over Anderson Ocean, played on the water carpet, and YES, Coda is potty trained now!  Hooray! Oh yeah and it was Robb 25 year high school reunion - that added to the good times!  I saw some familiar faces from his 20 year reunion and even made a few friends.  All around fabulous time!