Halloween 2014

Our kids always look forward to Halloween!  This year, Cassidy knew months in advance that she wanted to be a peacock, and she enlisted Grandma Reder's help in creating her costume.  It looked amazing!  Gavin was set on being a Star Wars storm-trooper and Tyler was Superman.  Erik and the kids carved pumpkins, Tyler and I watched Cassie and Gavin in the costume parade at school, and we made it out on Halloween night with friends for trick-or-treating (despite the cold temps, rain and even tiny hail that fell as we walked the neighborhood!).  The highlight, as always, was the "reptile house" a few streets away - they bring kids into their garage and let them hold their friendly reptiles.  This year it was only a snake - the bearded dragon from years' past isn't around anymore.  But, the snake was a hit, and the full buckets of candy kept the kids going for a while afterwards!

Cassidy had her first big project in 2nd grade - a haunted house book report!  She had to read a mystery book (she chose Bunnicula) and then create a haunted house poster with window flaps that listed all the story elements.  She had fun designing it!

My Time with Tyler

Now that both Cassidy and Gavin are in school for a full day, it's just me and Tyler at home!  We usually take on some activity or errand in the morning after we drop the older kids off at school, then after lunch Tyler takes a nice afternoon nap.  I wake him at 2:30 each day and we head back out for school pick ups.  It's definitely a quieter day than I've been used to for the past few years, and we do miss Cassidy and Gavin while they're at school - but it's also nice to spend some quality time with my little buddy!  Here are some photos of how we spend our days...

Off to school...Tyler is often still in jammies and loves to carry an old lunchbox to be just like the big kids!

We take a morning moms & tots gymnastics class with friends!

Mommy and Tyler

Tyler loves to play the "train" game on the ipad.

Being silly in Mommy's slippers

We occasionally have playdates with some of our good buddies (this is Sam)!

The duplo train is always a fun pasttime.

Being silly again in a hat he's outgrown

Tyler loves to stand in the fridge and rearrange it for me!

We go to moms & tots music class at SFX twice a month; this was on Halloween.

Dancing and running around - he loves it!

Our quiet lunchtimes together...I'm savoring this precious time, I know it goes fast!

Gavin's Acting Debut: The Three Piggy Opera!

A highlight of Kindergarten is to be part of the first big play: The Three Piggy Opera!  Gavin was in the singing pig gallery and also told a joke into the microphone with his great buddy Will.  Here it is...Will starts with "How do you get more pigs on a farm?"  And Gavin finishes with "Build a sty-scraper!"  When you're in Kindergarten, this is super funny!  We loved seeing their class performance and are so proud, as always, of our Gavin!

Grandma and Grandpa Reder's October visit

We were so excited to have Grandma and Grandpa Reder come to town for a fall visit!  They were able to attend Grandparent's Day at the kids' school, which was such a nice treat.  Beyond that, we kept each day busy with lots of fun activities and outings.  We also all spent a Saturday in Lafayette with the Harding and Burkholder families, making for a fun fall reunion!  Here are some photo highlights of our time together.  I think we sent them back to Florida ready for a nice nap.  Ha ha.

So excited they have arrived!

Spending the day at Wagner Farm with Tyler while the older two are at school

Relaxing in the rocking chairs!

In Gavin's classroom for Grandparent's Day

In Cassidy's classroom for Grandparent's Day

There was an all-school Mass to wrap up the special day at school.

We spent time cheering on Gavin's soccer team.  He scored a few goals and played his heart out!

We spent an afternoon at the Botanic Garden and saw their beautiful autumn displays.

Bedtime chats with Grandpa

Taking in the lakeshore scene at Gillson Park

Celebrating Tyler's 2nd birthday!

Cassidy is modeling her peacock Halloween costume, made with love by Grandma Reder!

Stopping by our favorite local frozen yogurt spot, Cocomero, for a sweet treat.

In Lafayette with all the Reder cousins!

Tyler with Emily and Ellie

Tyler, our little rascal - with Michael

Family photo, Fall 2014

Tyler Turns Two!

Is it possible that our little baby is turning 2?  We can't believe it!  Tyler brings so much joy to our family - we are so grateful for him and so excited to celebrate his 2nd birthday!

Sibling love on his special day!

Opening birthday gifts

Trains are his favorite toys these days!

"Look what you got buddy!"

The birthday cake

He enjoyed every bite! (Can you tell I was unprepared with birthday boy plates, and had to use some extra pink ones from summer?  Ha!)

Tyler loved his trampoline from Grammy and Grandpa Brown!

We even got to celebrate with Grandma and Grandpa Reder when they came to visit in October!