Halloween was here!

Once again the ghosts and goblins were awakened and we joyfully joined them and had fun. Ben and Asia were here and Aurora had her first Halloween at Shelly's ward.  We had chili and hot dogs and the kids played games and won prizes.

Aurora was a Texas Tech cheerleader - her parent's alma mater.

 

 

Mandy and Nathan in front of Shelly's house.  Mandy was a pink fairy and Nathan was a ER Doctor, complete with stethoscope and ER badge.

Nathan and Elizabeth fishing.

 

 

Jason and Ben talked computers while the kids played.

 

 

Mandy trunk or treating. 

 

Nathan and Aurora at home before the fun.  Halloween was so much fun!

Renaissance Festival

Every fall the Renaissance Festival is held for 9 weeks.  It is about a mile from our house and they have a School day when area schools and home schoolers can enjoy and learn without the huge crowds and alcohol being served.  Last year Glenn was able to be home and join us but this year it was just Nathan, Mandy and I.  We enjoyed the day and hope to have Daddy with us next year.

 

 

A musician taught about Renaissance trumpets and other musical instruments. He was simply amazing.

 

 

 

A leather worker tried on the leather "caps" on the kids.  She said no self-respecting young man or maid would go outside without some kind of head gear.  They were well done and very costly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We rode horses!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These three guys were wonderful.  They were Scottish and played everything.  The boy on the right danced the whole time.  He was not part of the group but just wanted to dance. 

We also really enjoyed the joust.  The kids finally just went to the fence and watched entranced.  Of course, Nathan was full of questions including was it real?

 

 

 

 

 

                     The German Knight

The English Knight

 

 

                      The Fight

As it turned out the German Knight - Sir Otto was a dirty fighter and won.

 

 

 

 

Nathan practiced his archery and actually shot one of the balloons.

While Mandy poised with lions.

 

 

We all had a great time.

Happy Birthday, Nathan

Yes, we have two birthday very close together.  Nathan had a big day yesterday!  He played a great game of soccer - he scored 4 goals and was the best goalie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then went home and prepared for our birthday party.  Transformers, transformers, everywhere.

Watching the transformer movie.  Not the PG 13 version!  We had popcorn and apples and drinks. Aurora and Joy had fun getting to know each other while the girls watched the movie.

We sat up an obstacle course in the back and Team Autobots (Nathan, Elijah and Mandy) beat Team Decepticons Hannah, Jessi and Becca by 2 seconds to win 1st prize!

1st step on the course.

 

   

 

 

 

Run, Mandy, run!

 

 

 

 

What a cool robot, thanks Hannah

Thanks, Asia.

Aurora enjoyed the packaging.

A transformer cake, how cool!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy, happy birthday, Nathan.   7 years old,  it can't be!

Happy Birthday, Mandy

Our little girl has turned a big 5 years old!  She is really getting big.  We actually celebrated her birthday 3 times so she celebrated plenty.  Her actual birthday on the 12th was right before the Hurricane and so we did presents from Mama, Daddy and Nathan.  The following weekend Shelly and family came over and we had a cake that was ordered and then canceled but the bakery didn't get the canceled part!  We had her birthday party on the 27th and everyone had a great time!  Mandy choose a Luau theme and we decorated the house with flowers and pineapples and played a game in the sand and did the Luau and played musical chairs to Pineapple Princess. Mandy's present from Cyndi. She loves her cooking set!

 

Elizabeth won the shell finding game in the sand.

Unwrapping presents is the best!

 

 

 

 

 

 

My cake had Nemo and Dora on it.  Happy 5th birthday, Mandy.

Doing the hula!  Shake those skirts, girls.  We had a wonderful time and our Mandy is now officially 5 years old!

The Waller County Fair

                          Look at his curly tail!

It is fall or at least what passes for fall in Texas and so there are County Fairs.  It is a small fair but we had a great time and the weather was perfect!

 

 

Mandy standing in front of the

blue ribbon goat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We looked at the animals - funny to think that in 2 years we could be part of all this.  You have to be at least 9.

        Nathan is still a little afraid of goats.  They also had rides and very tall people!

 

  Nathan was very serious about this truck!

                    Mandy drove her truck well!

 

 

 

 

Fun was had by all!