Time to Paint!!

We have adopted the tradition of painting pumpkins instead of carving them.  Much less messy!  The kids enjoy it and do a good job of thinking creatively and not being too paint crazy!  here are the before, during, and after pictures!

Here we go!!!

He's ready!

I gave Avery a brush with some water and let her go to town!

Braden's Vampire

Braden's Frankenstein

Kendall painting a "Fire Fairy"  She started out well, but ended with a maroonish blob.  Oh well!

My masterpiece!!!

7th Annual Riechmann/Rodgers Pumpkin Fest

For the 7th year in a row, we've gone with the Rodgers Family to Eckert's in Grafton.  We have eaten at the Fin Inn in years past, but this year the big boys had soccer in the morning and the baby girls would have been grouches if we'd have waited to eat any longer.  So we at at Red Robin (a family favorite) and then drove up to Grafton.  The trees were just starting to change on the River Road, so we enjoyed a scenic drive by the river.  We didn't have to wait too long to board the wagon to the patch (which was good).  Once there, we found a nice place for a photo op, found a couple of smallish pumpkins, and boarded a wagon back.  You see, in the last few years as we have added more small people to our group, we've realized that it is nearly impossible to carry that many children and pumpkins any distance.  Also, they put the "pretty" pumpkins up front anyway, so we can grab one on our way out!  We had a great time and wonderful weather (it was a tad windy, but that beats the 80+ degrees we had last year!  Next year we're going to try to add in the Grafton Winery...well, maybe we'll leave the kids at home for that one :)

Modeling bows by Aunt Lissa!

Another bow by Aunt Lissa - we are so lucky!!

The Big Kid Crew

Daddy and his littlest pumpkin waiting in line for the wagon to take us to the patch.

This is what they call a smile *sigh*.

I finally gave up and joined them :)

Right when we walked out to the patch from the wagon, Avery fell in pumpkin goo :(

Family Pic - Pumpkin Patch 2011!

He found the perfect pumpkin!

I convinced Kendall to wait until we got back from the wagon to get hers ;)

The sissies snackin' it up!

They all looked!!!

I love it when they show their sassy side!!

Not the shirt I had envisioned for our photo op in the pumpkin patch, but wasn't worth arguing over :)

Riechmann Roller Rink

Okay, it's just our garage, but the kids like to pretend it's some grand roller rink!  They will often beg for us to move the cars out so they can roller skate or ride bikes in there.  On this particular evening, the kids were rollerskating while jamming out to some music on the kitchen radio.  I would yell out dance moves and they'd do it (ex: robot, zombie, hamster, etc.) and they played "Dead Bug" for a while, which just means they fall to the ground when I yelled "Dead Bug" but continued skating if I yelled something like "pineapple" or "donut."  Good to know that they like this if the weather is yucky or cold!

Goodbye Hair!

I've always had a history of growing my hair out and cutting it off again.  I usually had long hair as a child, but as I got older, I would cut it off or grow it longer depending on the "fads" of the time!  Just ask Dustin, he's seen me through most of my hair styles.  I'm sure he'll tell you my worst was the infamous shag of '96.  Lately, I've been sporting a shorter style and attempting to grow it out, but have decided it was time for a new (slightly drastic) look!  I found an internet picture of they style I wanted.  I asked Dustin what he'd think of me in short hair.  He was cautious in his answer since he didn't know if I was serious.  He said he was fine with it either way.  So, I decided it was time for a change!!  About three weeks ago (hard to believe it's been that long!) I chopped it all off at my haircut night with Jaycie and Sarah...I think they were as excited to see my new 'do as I was!  I am glad to say I am thrilled with the results...even if Braden told me I looked like a boy and Kendall told me I was an "old lady."  Thanks again to Jaycie for taking these pictures!

Glen Carbon Fall Fest

Braden was asked by Jackson to go to his Fall Fest at his school.  Of course Braden agreed!  He had a blast and was so happy to get to spend time with his "Bro" since they don't get to see each other as much during the school year as they do in the summer!  Thanks to Jaycie and Randy for taking him and snapping these adorable photos!

He got a Phineas face painting!

Cheesin' it up!

He scratched off his face paint so that he could go get gory at the Wacky Hospital!  He's supposed to look like he fell off the Eiffel Tower!

Families ROC Star 5k

There is an annual event that we attend for the Families Run for Ovarian Cancer.  It's a 5k that goes through Forest Park.  I've run more than a handful of 5ks and this one is by far the most difficult course I've done.  St. Louis is far hillier than people give it credit for...well except for the people who live on "The Hill."  They probably knew it was hilly...anyway, I digress.  We went with all of the kids to Forest Park on Sunday morning to meet up with Team Tracie and Teal We Find a Cure.  I ran it the past two years, so this was my third go at it.  Dustin ran it last year for the first time.  This year was my mom's first official 5k race.  We had a large group who attended in Tracie's memory.  What a great way to remember her and raise money for the silent killer that is Ovarian Cancer.

The theme was "Rock," so at corners throughout the race there were stars such as: Elvis, ZZ Top, and the Beatles.  After the race there were bounce houses, beer, food, and raffle prizes and baskets.  We had a lot of fun, but it was also bittersweet to remember just a year and a half ago when Tracie was there with us.  I can tell you from experience that it is difficult to run when you get a little "verklempt."  There were quotes along the race route, and one in particular got to me, "The woods are lovely dark and deep, but I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep." - Robert Frost.

I finished the race in pretty good time, just seconds behind Dustin and Sarah and seconds before Daniel, PD, and a few minutes before Mom.  I look forward to running again next year and bringing attention to this particular cancer that has become close to our hearts.

Baby Ethan Visits

A few weeks ago, I babysat for Ethan.  I wasn't sure how the kids would do with him, but it all worked out!  At first, Avery was a little jealous of the baby bottle-sitting on my lap-feeding situation with Ethan, but by the end of the day she was much better!  Ethan was great and let me kiss his chubby cheeks as much as I wanted (which was a lot).  It made me realize how much my "baby" isn't really a "baby" anymore :( 

The kids loved his visit and Braden couldn't wait until he got home from school to see Ethan before Aunt Lissa came to get him.  Can't wait to visit with him again soon!

Kendall hanging with Baby Ethan after their naps.

I think he's done a photo shoot before!

CHEEKS!!  He looks a lot like his daddy (whose cheeks I also squeezed when he was a baby).

Baby Ethan and Giant Baby Avery

Fall Soccer Time!

Braden didn't play soccer last spring, so he signed up for the fall session.  He is really enjoying it...and he's pretty good!  This time he has a weekly practice along with his Saturday game.  My camera isn't high quality, so his motion shots are less than stellar, but I think you get the gist of it :)

I was trying to get one of Braden, but Avery loves to cheese it up and wouldn't leave until I took her picture.

Ready to roll!

He's a serious player!

Kendall looking crazy and Avery thinking her sister looks crazy :)