Maddox giving Katelyn a big hug at her last soccer game. Katelyn and Maddox worked as a team the last couple of games. They'd pass to each other and help one another score!! Maddox would yell across the field 'Katelyn pass me the ball!!' Maddox meant business by the end of the season. We were really happy with her growth. I think she scored 3 goals the last game, with Katelyn's assistance. We are looking forward to the spring soccer season.
Halloween was chilly this year but that didn't stop the kids. Eric took pirate-Kennon and Elsa-Maddox out to gather candy. I stayed home this year to meet and greet the kids in the neighborhood with treats. The wind was directly out of the north so the kids did a point to point trick-or-treat. I drove the three of them up Judge road to the north and they walked with the wind at their back's (a runner's technique) to gather candy. And they sure did get a load! My goodness we have generous neighbors.
We attended the Family Museum's Halloween Party the Sunday before Halloween. The weather was much kinder!! The kids enjoyed crafts, games, and the beloved bouncy house.
Rowan (Anna) and Kate (Elsa) are two of Maddox and Kennon's buddies from Our Savior. They don't go to Our Savior anymore but Rowan happens to be in Maddox's dance class so they've been able to rekindle their relationship. They joined us at the Halloween party.
The museum was all decked out with crazy, and some SCARY, Halloween decorations.
Getting ready to hit the streets for CANDY!
Eric and I attended the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend Area's annual celebration a couple of weeks ago. Eric and I have a donor advised fund through this foundation and get to pick various charities to receive the dividends from our accounts. We also help this Foundation by reviewing grants that are submitted monthly. The charitable work that is being done in the Quad Cities each and every day is amazing.
Eric and I attended the Northwestern vs Iowa game the first of November. It was a fabulous game with a victory for the Hawks! Thanks to Grandma Jean and Grandma Jim for keeping the kiddos for the weekend. I'm going to the Wisconsin vs Iowa game this coming Saturday! Brrrr, I hope it warms up a bit.
Two weeks ago we attended the Pleasant View Grade School's Fall Fest Fundraiser. My good friend and neighbor Kim Millage invited us to the fun. It was a great opportunity for us to see the school and for Maddox to start to know about her new environment for the coming school year. There were tons of games set up along the halls of the school, several games in the gym, silent auctions, a cake walk ( hoping to help out with that next year ) and of course a bouncy house!! The kids both had a ball and 1/2 our neighborhood was there so it was nice to catch up with everyone. Kindergarten round up is March 6th!! I can't believe it. We'll have a Kindergartener in the house. Does that sound totally crazy!!!??
Brecken-2 (he'll be 3 on Thanksgiving!!) Maddie - 5 Maddox - 5 Kennon -3 Parker - 7
Last Sunday we tagged along with the Millages and headed out to Wildcat Den near Muscatine. The Den was hosting a 50K trail run where several of Eric and I's running buddies were running as well as Kim's husband Tim. So all of us hiked out on the trail….that would be Kim, Eric and I plus all the above kids and 7 month old Hudson on the front of Kim in a baby carrier (we took up most of the space along the trail as you can imagine) …..to meet and cheer on the participants. The kids' bright, happy, faces and bright, fun colored coats were a welcome site to the participants as they jogged along the very hilly, unforgiving, terrain. We had a grand time and the weather was just perfect!! Thanks for inviting us Millages. We are so thankful to know you all!
Most of you know I am taking a cake decorating class Monday evenings in November. The above cake was from week two. I am having a fun time learning new decorating techniques and learning how to make the perfect tasting frosting (although I've found there is a learning curve with both!!) Get ready to eat some cake as I'll be toting a cake pretty much every where I go for the next several months :) Practice makes perfect!! Maddox and Kennon are certainly happy I signed up as I bring home a newly decorated treat each Monday night. It is really fun! I am enjoying being out of the house and learning some new skills.
We've graduated from the 5 point harness to just the regular seat belt for Maddox. However, as you can see from the picture, we have a little work on getting the technique down pat. I will say these darn winter coats are certainly not fun!! The kids and I are still getting used to the big, uncomfortable, but necessary fluffy coats.
I'm always surprised to see what Maddox picks to wear 'post nap'. She most always has a dress on and it is ALWAYS not what she had on in the morning. This dress is from the girls across the street and is a dark green velvet. So cute. She is planning to wear it to The Planning Center client holiday party in a couple of weeks.
With the snow Saturday night, it was time to take the riding toys over to The Planning Center basement so the kids can still ride all winter long. Eric had a client's birthday party Saturday night just down the street from The Planning Center so the kids and I packed a picnic dinner, the bikes and a movie and set up shop at the office while Eric enjoyed the party down the block. The three of us had a great time in the basement getting our sillies out doing obstacle courses, practicing Maddox's dance steps from class, and trying to convince Kennon he'll be "FAST" when he learns to ride without his training wheels. The little guy doesn't want to take the training wheels off because he thinks he won't be fast. It is our goal for the winter to make the transition. We are so thankful for The Planning Center and it's success.
Watching Cinderella on the big screen!
The kiddos are super into MUSIC right now. Eric and I are looking into getting a sound system for a house as they kids love to have 'dance parties' as we call them. We have started substituting most of our normal 'cartoon time' for music time per request of the kiddos. Most often Maddox disappears upstairs to put on a dress ( notice she doesn't care that this is a summer dress and it is freezing cold out) for the event while Kennon is happy dancing about in whatever clothes he has on. They get each other going and feed off of each other as you can imagine. It is really fun to watch them! I happened to have my video running to catch this last night…rest assured he was fine!! We didn't have any music
during this event as Maddox and Kennon created the music themselves!
We are gearing up for the holidays and to meet the newest member of the Knowles family. It is sooo nice to not be working, although I have picked up some chart audits in the last couple of weeks and am training a new physical therapist. But, I haven't committed too much time to VNA with the holiday tasks in que. I'm still trying to find the right balance. The kids both have Thanksgiving programs at school this week. They are both singing and then Maddox's class is having a Thanksgiving feast. They only go to school Monday and Tuesday next week and then not again till after the holiday. We hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving. We are so blessed.
