Logan's bday party

We finally managed to have a birthday party for Logan in August. We were on vacation on his birthday & it took us a while to get it planned. The weather was so cold, even in the middle of August, the kids were cold.

Surprise party for Lindsey

We actually pulled off a surprise party for Lindsey's birthday this year. It was a last-minute thought & it worked like a charm.

Our new boat

We started a new hobby this summer on the river with a new boat. Of course, the weather didn't cooperate much, so we're hoping for more time out there next year!

Logan & Dad enter a Pinewood Derby Car race

You'll have to watch to see the results. Logan's is the blue car.

Hayley's birthday

Halloween

Dave had to dress-up for work, so I snapped a quick photo of him before he changed out of his Blues Brothers costume. No, he didn't walk the neighborhood in it, although I wanted him too because he looked so good. Lindsey, too, was guilty of only dressing long enough for a photo! She was back into her regular clothes in time to pass out the candy. Logan is posing as a real Power Ranger & Hayley looks very authentic as a hippie. I got off the hook & didn't even have to answer the door.

For once, we had such beautiful weather that they just had to walk the entire neighbhorhood! Normally they only go to a handful of houses because the houses are so spread out & they get cold.

You'll notice that they gathered an unusually excessive amount of treats this year. Yes, you know me, I'll hide it or freeze it & then ration it back to them over the next year!!

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Wed & Thu were parent-teacher conferences in Dubuque. Logan's was easy - it was one teacher in one location at a set time. But the middle school & high school are something else. They give you a big window of time, then all teachers sit at tables in the gym/cafeteria. You bounce from teacher to teacher, waiting in line for each one, sometimes up to 15 or 20 min (most teachers have 80 - 100 kids). We managed to finish Lindsey's on Wed night, then Logan's & Hay's on Thu a.m. The goal is to go when there are no crowds. We are pleased to say that all reports were terrific, as usual. We are truly blessed.


Jen's been sick all week. Headache, sore throat, & overall just feeling run-down. Fortunately there have been some bits of time that relief has come, which makes it easier to function & care for my family. Fortunately conference times were times I wasn't so bad so I could still participate. We were supposed to have Harry & Angela for a visit this weekend, but they ended up with the same virus. That was a bummer to cancel because we have such a hard time getting visits with them on the calendar between our crazy weekends & the demands of their farm.



Here's a random photo of the kids hanging out. Lindsey & Hayley are growing up so fast. They're at an age where they enjoy the same things & can interact with each other on close to the same maturity level. Logan is right in the middle of it, but looking really thrilled!