Halloween 2017

Joey was a Ghostbuster, and Melanie was Captain America this year.  This finally forced the kids' hand to watch Ghostbusters the movie (just the original); they had previously been spooked by it.  Now they love it, and they had another great year with their Fieldstone friends; we started at a neighbor's birthday party, then trick-or-treated, with the annual visit from the ZFD capping off the night. 

When I crowd-sourced a shield for Miss Captain America, I ended up with a neighbor's adult-sized costume.  So, I figured, why not??

Other Halloween festivities included the ZPC trunk-or-treat event, and Jackson's Halloween-themed birthday party.  We got our wear out of the costumes!

Father Daughter Dances

Girl Scout's Father/Daughter Dance spring 2017 - Sock Hop

ZPC's Father/Daughter Dance spring 2017

For good measure, I'll throw in the Dad's Club Campout from September 2017; Melanie really wanted to participate for the first time since it was her last year at Union Elementary.

Fall Ball 2017

Joey's team went undefeated again in 2017, but fell in the first round of the playoffs.  It was another fun season, and it was fun that he was on a team with two other friends from the street - Charlie and Will.

Boilermaker Special Fall 2017

Laura Mullen had contacted the Reamer Club at Purdue to see if the Boilermaker Special could show up at Joey's end-of-cancer party in January 2017.  It was out of commission at that time for maintenance, but they gifted Joey a future ride.  After we attempted to arrange his birthday party on the Special, we rescheduled to the first Sunday in October, which turned out to be a gorgeous day for a ride around campus!  We were joined by a lot of our wedding party (noted because the last time we were on the Boilermaker Special was at our wedding) - both sets of parents, Scotty, Kate, and Julie (and their families)- as well as our friends the Koenigs.

As we cruised through the Purdue President's property, guess who showed up on his motorcycle?  He hopped on and talked to us for a while, but declined a ride, since he'd been out most of the day on his bike.

DG at 303!

Sports Weekend

We went to Cincinnati for a fundraising walk for Children's Hospital in early fall 2017;  we then got to enjoy the amusement park Coney Island, and then were treated to amazing seats at the Reds game.  These seats included all you can eat/drink, chairside service.  This was the kids' first MLB experience.

The next day, we were gifted Mel's first NFL experience; Colts tickets!  (Joey beat her on that one, but that's okay...)

Meeting Hunter Greene, the Reds' hot new recruit

Fun with Cousins - Summer 2017

Happy SURPRISE Birthday, Super Ron!!

For Papa's 70th birthday, I think he was pretty surprised to have a party in August!  It was a great celebration with family and friends of a great guy!  Happy 69 and 9 months, Super Ron!!

Birthday silliness

Cousins prepping for the party

The birthday boy with his two favorite DILs!

The Worzala women

The Worzala men

Melanie's and Joey's grandparents

Back to School - 2nd & 4th Grades

Until I can get a few posts added to highlight the last year of the kids' lives, I wanted to at least jump to present-day.  Melanie started fourth grade (her LAST year at Union!!), and has Mrs. Weutrich; Joey is in 2nd grade with Miss Milby this year.  They both got placed with several friends, and the year is off to a great start!

Melanie matching her teacher on back-to-school night

Ready for the earlier start time; this year we go 8am-2:30pm, allowing me to get them on the bus each morning!

2nd grade boys of Stone Creek Drive

Bus stop!

2017 State Fair

We love our annual tradition of visiting the state fair the day before Zionsville schools start.  Most of Indianapolis is already back at school, so it's not as crowded. We  do the unlimited rides, get nice and tired, head to back-to-school night, and then sleep well for the first day of school!  This year the kids enjoyed finding the multiple Renewal by Andersen booths around the fairgrounds.

2017 Indiana State Fair

Added bonus - Joey ran into his BFF at the fair!  We ended up leaving him with Ryan's family and heading home!

Stevie Grant Baumann

We were thrilled to welcome our new baby cousin Stevie on July 23, 2017!  We were among the first to meet her, and she could not be more perfect!

Niagara Falls

We traveled to Niagara Falls in June 2017; it was a great trip, and we had perfect weather.  We stayed the night on the way up in Windsor, Canada, and then we spent 3 nights at Niagara, at the Hilton, where our hotel room had a perfect view of the falls and the fireworks!  We did the Hornblower cruise, Behind the Falls, and a couple of other excursions.  The kids were thrilled to have passports, and we only quickly thought we'd get a kid taken away, when Joey answered the wrong age when we passed back into the US.  Melanie and I also walked across the Rainbow Bridge and met up with Suzi, Wyatt & Ernie and did one of the NY excursions with them!

Young Authors Night 2017

 Joey amazed me when he read his detailed account of our dolphin cruise we went on over spring break in FL.  He - and all of his classmates - did a great job with this project!

Ready to read "When I Went on a Dolphin Cruise"

Mel's and Joe's books side-by-side

Easter 2017

Melanie's annual Easter dress picture with Grandma

Very Eastery