Colts Kids Party

Tuesday night, we celebrated Halloween for the third time by attending the Colts Kids Party at Lucas Oil Stadium.  They did a great job with tons of activities for the kids.  It was fun for adults, too, to be down on the field, and see the locker room (and the cheerleaders).  We met up with Ali, Brandon, Henry, Laura, Christal and her kids too - but no photographic evidence of that!

They made it on the big screen(s)!

In the locker room

Jeff told them to run as soon as they hit the field, and run they did!

Melanie's favorite part

Joey trying it out

Joey's favorite part

They got a lot of tackle practice in

Guarding the goal

More Halloween

Scary teeth!

I was surprised she was playing with something scary.  Maybe the witch reminded her of Mommy.

First time in costume = only time wearing the whole thing, gloves, headband, and all!

Scary tiger!

Worzala Halloween

Grandma & Papa have scary costumes!!

Worzala boys

Melanie facilitating story time

Craft time!  I'm trying really hard to get all four Worzala grandkids in one shot.

Sam & Joe

Halloween celebration #2 was Sunday afternoon at the Dorans' house - complete with a scavenger hunt, crafts, and lots of good food!

Halloween, Part One

Mel with her buddies

Mommy with hers

We had FOUR Halloween celebrations this year - and were lucky enough that the kids wore the same costumes to all of them!  Joey ripped Melanie's halfway through the festivities, but thankfully our neighbor Paula stitched it right up and we were on our merry way!  These pictures are from Aya'a annual Halloween party.

Family Weekend

All five of my favorite kids on one couch

Doan Grandbaby Goofballs

Swinging with Gigi

Fun with Tom!

Tired after a long day!

Another tired kid

2 Halves Equal a Whole

Laura and I walked our second half-marathon, this time at and around Fort Benjamin Harrison.   I shaved about 9 minutes off of my May time, this time completing it in 3:29.  It was a little chilly out there - we're posing in front of a fire in this picture.  It was a gorgeous route, especially for October, and with a few more hills than we're used to.  Since Laura had a bad foot injury just a week ago, we felt our completion and time were a success!  Now for how we feel in the morning....

We saw an older man running, and his shirt said "I've run a marathon in every state - TWICE."  There's nothing in that sentence (the word "run," the word "marathon") that appeals to us, but that's a very impressive accomplishment!!

Field Trip

On Wednesday, Noah's Ark took their annual "pumpkin patch" field trip to Country Market.  Melanie was lucky enough to have Gigi accompany her on the trip, riding the school bus, staying at school for lunch, and having a fun day in the corn maze, on the hayride, playground, and all of the other fun activities.  Thank you Gigi for going - and for taking pictures!!

Ready for the corn maze

Giddy up!

Playground time!

Playing in hay

Giving Joey his pumpkin since he isn't old enough to go on the field trip.  Yes, Mel 's outfit is a wonderfully-matched creation.

Gymboree/Gymnastics

Tuesday night, Joey tried a Gymboree class.  He couldn't wait to "go play" - but didn't much like the group activities, preferring to play on his own, until the parachute came out!  He LOVED the bubbles and parachute time, especially lying on his back while the parachute went up and down over him. 

"Hello, my name is Joey"  (Literally, that is what he was saying )

Hiding in the corner, taking care of some business.  Thankfully, Gymboree has extra diapers on hand!

Popping bubbles with a little castanet

Mrs. Melissa was his favorite -she was the keeper of the bubbles!  

On Wednesday night, Melanie started her first "big girl" gymnastics class - all by herself!  When the teacher called the "Big Dippers" in, she walked right in, without a backward glance, and stayed and followed directions the whole time!  She LOVED it - what was her favorite part?  "All of it.  I want to go back every Wednesday night FOREVER."  We aren't allowed to take flash photography, so these long-distance camera phone pictures will have to do.  I was able to walk the track the whole 50 minutes of class - it was magical!

Loving the trampoline!  Blurry pink girl.

Getting some help on the high balance beam

Working the low balance beam

IU Health North Pumpkin Patch

Proud of their pumpkins!  I guess I should've turned the camera on its side!

Joey gets a hug from a random character.  They both got high fives from Boomer, Ronald McDonald, and got these hugs.  Groundbreaking for these two kids.

Mel's turn for a hug

Taking off in the fire engine!

IU Health North does a great event every year at the hospital - free pumpkins, lots of characters, the kids had free eye screenings, and all kinds of fun!  It's an event I don't think we've missed since Mel was born!