Halloween!

After a month of celebrating, Halloween finally arrived and it delivered big on fun!

Saturday we went to the Halloween block party in our neighborhood.

I have the esteemed title of "Party Co-Coordinator" for Nate's Kindergarten class.  I have to say-the pumpkin party rocked...just look at that delicious cookie Nate made. :)

We trick-or-treated with our fellow superhero Lauren and her family! (Sidenote-Nate and Lauren have known each other since they were 4 months old and Nate has had plans for a couple years now to one day marry Lauren.)  The kids were hilarious this year.  Nate ran ahead, Riley was extremely chatty to all the treat givers and at the end would shout "Thanks for having us! Happy Halloween!" and Ben was most often last to the door but was very generous and often handed out his candy (but never the coveted tootsie pops).  

More Fall Fun

This past weekend was a busy one:

Saturday morning we visited Gramps while he was volunteering at Camp Korey and went on a hay ride, picked up a few more pumpkins, ate delicious pumpking pancakes and splashed in lots of puddles.

That afternoon the Super Iyers (Wonder Girl, Batman & Robin) hosted the 6th annual Peps party...our moms group started with 12 kids and now there are 28 (most were able to come)!  We had the Peps families over for pizza, crafts, Halloween movies and super fun chaos!

And Sunday was the last soccer game of the season for Riley and Nate.  

Riley's Pumpkin Carving Night & Concert

Tonight we attended a fun family night at Riley's preschool - pumpkin carving and a concert that Riley shined in!  Rileybel would not sing her songs at home but then she got on stage (okay-on her carpet square) and really turned it on...singing right along and doing the motions.  It was adorable!  Nate loved visiting with his former teachers and Benny loved exploring the classroom.

Remembering Gram

My Gram finished her beautiful 97 year journey here on earth this morning and has joined my Grandpa Geo in heaven.  She was a shining example to us all - words do not do justice in describing her kind, giving, gentle spirit.  We love you Gram!

5/4/40 - Gram and Grandpa Geo on their wedding
day/Gram's 26th birthday.

Pumpkin Patch Fun

Last Friday Ben and I joined Riley on her preschool class field trip to Jubliee farm and yesterday I joined Nate's Kindergarten class there. Today we picked up a few more pumpkins and started carving! Two jack-o-lanterns down, three to go! :)

Riley's class - she is sitting right next to Isabella, her best friend at school, and the assistant teacher.

Isabella and Riley Isabel

Nate on the hay ride with some of his best buddies from his class.

Day in Gig Harbor

We try to get down to my hometown of Gig Harbor at least once a month. I love being able to share the Gig with our kids!

We started the day with our budding artists at Java and Clay Cafe in downtown Gig Harbor.

Then we went on the dock and looked at pile worms. I'm pretty sure there is a picture in a box somewhere in my dad's attic that is exactly like this but w/ my dad, 2 older brothers and me 30 years ago. (Gramps is out of town or he would have been with us, this is his favorite spot.)

And of course we spent most of our time at the Ludlows! Here are Matt, Riley, Grace, and Nate coloring Halloween placemats,

Cameron and Ben lounging on the couch,

and there's Grace and Riley in their cheerleader Halloween costumes!

And, going off on a tangent, here is Riley in her Wondergirl Halloween costume. I know, I know...we should make her stick to her decision. On the other hand, a girl has got the right to change her mind and we love dress-up clothes here! Nate is going to be Batman and Ben is going to be Robin, so Ri was feeling a bit left out that her costume wasn't a superhero.

Nate the Great awarded!

Today Nate was awarded the Great Kid award by his teacher. It was announced during his lunch and he got to eat at a special table with the principal. We are so proud of our Nate the Great! :) Added a few cute pics of Ben and Ri too!

Click the picture to enlarge.

Benny likes to tear off toilet paper and play peek-a-boo with it.

Riley described herself as a rockstar princess (w/ chocolate in her teeth).

Salmon Days Festival

This weekend was the annual Salmon Days festival in our town. Saturday we enjoyed the parade, Sunday Nate ran his first 1K, and both days we feasted on delicous food!

The Iyer kids and Rose kids found a great spot to watch the parade.

This one should clearly be titled "real life"- ha!

Ready for his first 1K!

Go Nate Go - just a few feet left! He ran the whole way!