In town from Kansas...

We arrived back from Toronto on Sunday night, cleaned up a bit and welcomed my Dad, sister and brother-in-law into town on Wednesday evening.  It was a great week of fun for the boys AND for me.  Thanks for spending the week with us AND for giving this Mom an extra set of eyes on her kids...it was like a vacation in itself.  Bonnie and Carloff took off today for three months in Germany as my sister has a role in an opera there.  Break a leg Bonnie!

One thing is for sure though...these boys WERE spoiled during their stay. Ben got his first John Deere green shirt and Charlie has a new CASE IH red hoodie.  Can't get more Kansas than that. Thanks for the gifts and for all the attention showered on these two boys.      

Benjamin Jay & Grandpa Jay

Ben fell asleep 2 minutes later...thanks Grandpa!

Best Buds

Hmmm...something about those morning eyes

Such troopers...

We took a quick trip to the pumpkin patch to pick up some flowers for the house since we had Grandpa's truck in town and ended up picking up a few pumpkins along the way. (The added bonus of getting to see over 15 buses while there made it a perfect day for Charlie.)  

"Hiiiii Bus"

Serious business

Thanks Carloff

Thanks Bonnie

Friday night, my gracious husband, took care of the boys while we (my brother and his girlfriend Cori) took Bonnie and Carloff into the city for a birthday celebration. Your a GREAT HUSBAND! We attended the musical "Once." AMAZING.  What a perfect show to see on a night out. 
 

If you look closely...you can see my brother's shoulder five rows ahead of me

Love this pic

Daddy and his boys...

Saturday was just as busy...as we had our annual Halloween party with Charlie's friends.  When asked what he wanted to be for Halloween...Charlie said "Mater Tow Truck" sooo that's what we decided to do.  Um yeah...what I thought would be a 2-3 hour project turned into a 12 hour project.  We have some editing to do but I think we will be ready for Halloween on Thursday.  

The beginning of the project

90% done

Poor guy can't really walk in it yet...but we'll get there

While Charlie's costume took half a day to get ready (which he then refused to wear)...Ben's got pulled out of the packaging 5 minutes before we left for the party and it was perfect.  Love it.

Our little bumble bee 

We spent one hour at the party...enough said.

Thank goodness for suckers (and Charlie's back-up costume)

And the babies...

Ben was soon trying to eat the little girl's face...

The rest of the weekend was a breeze.  Got the boys to bed.  Ordered Chinese...drank some White Russians and played a game with the family.  A perfect Saturday night.  Thanks Jeff & Cori for spending the weekend with us AND for sharing Sammy with Charlie.

And last but not least...HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARLOFF!  Hope the next year is a great one!  You have two nephews here who ADORE you.  Thanks for spending your birthday with us. 

   

Good luck in Germany 

We're gearing up for a week of calm.  I already miss our Wisconsin, Toronto and Kansas families after two weeks of visits with them. Good thing the holidays are on their way in...