Birthdays, Birthdays, Birthdays!

Between Oct. 19 and Oct. 24 there are 8 birthdays of people I know and love. Karl and Lauren's are the 23rd and 24th. Needless to say, there was lots of partying to be done! This picture doesn't really fit the birthday theme, but I wanted to include it. Before I left for a meeting at church Karl said he was taking the kids to Forest Park for a picnic supper. My comment was, "Are you sure? Isn't it going to be cold and dark?" When I arrived home they were huddled on the porch, enjoying a wonderful picnic supper.

Lauren celebrating her birthday with Miss Rachel, Deana, and Ashley.

The McBrides hosted a birthday cook-out/camp-out (after much debate, indoors due to cold) for the girls to celebrate Olivia's birthday (the 23rd).

The 3 amigas.

One of these kids did not last very long in the tent. . .Lauren was next to me in bed in about 15 minutes.

On Lauren's birthday we took a trip to the zoo. A year ago she was scared to ride the animals on the carousel.

No, it's not Halloween. It's "be a zookeeper" in one of the kids areas at the zoo.

Can you tell someone just woke up and was suddenly put in her chair for her birthday celebration? Happy 2nd Birthday, Lauren!

Daddy's birthday pie complete with 2 special girls.

Weekend in Farmington

We had a fun weekend in Farmington with the McBrides. One of the highlights was a day trip to Elephant Rocks State Park.

At the summit!

The kids had so much fun climbing up the giant rocks.

Annika and her friend "cow" enjoying the pretty view. (Olivia, just between you and me, your momma dresses you funny.)

Fall Festivities

Princess Annika with her Halloween stash.

Trick or treating. . .for hot dogs?!

Annual trip to the pumkin farm. Can you tell the sun is in their eyes?

Yummy Fuji apples!

Making music with buddy Olivia at Shaw Nature Reserve.

Family Fun in North Carolina

We decided to take a family vacation to North Carolina to visit my sister Cindy and her family. They were given access to a beach house on Bald Head Island so they invited us to join them out there for the second half of the week. We had a great time! The salt marshes of Bald Head Island.
Aunt Cindy, Uncle Mark, David, Alex, and Danielle waving from the dock.

Annika insisted on flying her kite - rain or shine. So here is Lauren, attempting to fly a kite, in the rain.
Our windiest day on the island. Can you tell?
Climbing up the lighthouse - built in 1817.
Lauren, Alex, Annika and David.
The White family. . .

Everyone was up at 6:45 so we decided to "drive" to the beach to see the sunrise. It was a fun trip, despite not seeing the sunrise.
Cousin David reading stories to the girls.
Mark and Cindy were kind enough to watch the kids so Karl and I could go kayaking in the salt marsh. We saw osprey, stingray, dolphins, and crab - it was a great experience.

Bug bingo on a rainy day.

Annika keeping Danielle company on the beach.
This is as close as Annika would get to the waves.
Lauren loved holding baby Danielle. Just practicing for the future, right Lauren?
Aunt Cindy and Danielle on a hike through the salt marsh.
Our mode of transportation on the island - golf cart! Add myself, Uncle Mark, and David to this golf cart and we'll call it a full load. Yes, we did bottom out on steep hills. :-)

This gives you an idea of the crowd that hangs out on this island - those people in white are playing croquet on an offical croquet "field."
Alligator watching with Grandpa and Grandma Pollack. They came to visit for half a day.

Lauren didn't like the waves either. All of the grown-ups, though, did go in the water and play in the waves.

Hanging out on the ferry ride.
Fun in the tram on the way to the beach house.
Annika and Daddy walking the beach at sunset.
Beach time.

Family fun in North Carolina - Race Day

It sounded like a great idea - signing up Annika and Lauren for a 200 yard dash to raise money in the fight against breast cancer. Pre-race activities.
The starting line - I see cousin Alex, but where are Annika and Lauren? Hmmmm.
There's Lauren - in my arms. Don't I have good form? It's a good thing it was only a 200 yard "dash." Annika, however, didn't even dare to step onto the course. She did enjoy the T-shirt, medal, and painting.

Cousins Annika and Alex. They had so much fun together.
Look at all that pink!
Sisters. We did the 5K walk while the men watched the kids. Yes!
Annika could have spent all day at the painting wall.
Back home at the playground.