Cassidy's first "Adventure Guides" weekend

Last weekend, Erik and Cassidy took off for an Adventure Guides weekend.  We are new to Adventure Guides this year - it's a program run through the YMCA that offers camping/outdoor recreation overnights for dads & daughters.  They pair the kids by school so you can bunk with friends and classmates.  It's such a neat idea and provides a really fun opportunity for dads to have some outdoor adventures with their daughters (and other fun dads!).

Erik and Cassidy rode to the campgrounds (about an hour away) with her good friend Emma and her dad.  Once there, the girls got to choose from a variety of activities.  Horseback riding and canoeing made their list, which Cassidy really enjoyed, and they also had wildlife speakers with live animals.  The weekend was a big hit and Cassidy is already asking about the spring trip!

Fire Department Open House

The Wilmette Fire Department held their annual open house in October and it was such a fun morning!  The kids sat in the driver's seat of the big fire truck, learned all about smoke and fire safety, and went through a fun obstacle course that allowed them to wear fireman's gear, rescue a stuffed animal pet, and put out a pretend fire with the real fire hose.  They also got to bring a teddy bear for a check-up in the back of the ambulance.  They brought Tyler's new bear that Grammy had just made him for his 1st birthday.  He checked out just fine - he's in perfect health!

Weekend in Lafayette

In late September, we ventured down to Lafayette for a weekend visit at the Harding's house.  Grandma & Grandpa Reder had driven up from FL and the Burkholders had come from KY.  We all decided to gather for some birthday celebrations and catching up.  It was a nice way to kick off the fall!

Enjoying a meal!

Grandpa Reder surprised the kids with these cute "Turtle Patrol" shirts, since they joined him for so many turtle walks on our last FL trip.

The kids loved watching Ethan's big high school soccer game!  They were so proud and excited to pose with him afterward for this photo.

Fun times with cousins!

Playing with Grandma Reder

Tyler's 1st birthday cake!

Gavin adores watching Ethan play games on his phone.  Cousin love!

Tyler turns 1!

What an amazing year it has been!  Our little Tyler turns 1 today, and we are so thankful to have him as part of our family.  He brings us joy every day and we are so blessed to be his parents!

To celebrate, we had a little party for him at home.  Grammy & Grandpa Brown joined us, which made it even more special!  We grilled hamburgers for dinner, opened gifts (including a special handmade teddy bear from Grammy Brown, pictured below), and of course celebrated with a little birthday cake.  Tyler had his own mini cake to dig into.  He was not sure about it at first; he kept poking little holes into it with his fingers, but did not actually eat anything for a few minutes.  Once he tried a tiny bite, though, he was sold and went on to eat a good portion of his cake and make a perfectly appropriate birthday mess in the process.  We plopped him right into the bathtub and into his jammies, and Grammy read him a book before it was time for him to end the day.

Tyler has been one of the brightest spots of our lives this past year!  With the challenge of our house flood and Erik's busy schedule at his start-up, Tyler (along with his adoring big brother and sister whom we cherish!) has been such a source of joy, perspective and daily gratitude.  Not to mention laughter!  Babies are funny little creatures!  I included a photo of Tyler's first year picture frame that shows how he changed each month - we did this for each of the kids - and it is so fun to see them grow from teeny newborns into adventurous toddlers.  Tyler, we love you!  Happy Birthday!!!

Tyler on the day he was born, 1 year ago today!