Awesome pre-Halloween fall weekend

It's that time of the year when you have to pull the thermals out to make it through Friday night football. But it was oh so worth it as our CPA lions managed a come from behind victory to get home field advantage for the playoffs. The girls had a superb time running around with friends and then huddled up under a blanket with me and some friends to keep warm.

Saturday was filled with Halloween parties. Katelyn went to a costume birthday party as Athena. In typical Katelyn fashion, she said, "Mom, everybody is going to be looking at me." Me--"Why" Katelyn--Because I look soo pretty. Of course, I agree, but then I am biased. She was so excited to be able to put makeup on and actually wear it out into public.

In the evening, we went to one of Ellie's friend's family Halloween party. It was awesome. The house was decorated and the back yard had a grave hard with a skeleton handing out candy (think Santa Clause set up) and then a haunted house/trail. Very well done and a lot of fun. The only downside was Ellie's costume split down the side half way through which made her actually put on her sweater.

Today, we enjoyed the beautiful fall colors, raking outside and then heading to Cheekwood. Owen starts chanting "trains, trains, trains" as soon as we get out of the car. For those who have not been there, they have an amazing miniature train set up. He was mesmerized for at least 30-40 minutes. Then we found a sculpture trail that we had somehow managed to miss on prior visits. As part of our Better Life challenge at Church, we are suppose to list three things we are thankful for each day. I can hit them all at Cheekwood today---Beautiful outdoor walk with the fall colors, watching the kids just run and run just because they can, and taking it all in as a family. 

We topped the weekend off with our arms to our elbows in pumpkin guts. Great job kids!

OK. We forgot to take the finished product as it was past bedtime, but we will get one tomorrow when it is Halloween for real :)

The Big Weekend

This has been an amazing weekend as my little sister got married and all the Calhoun girls were participants. It was one of the most beautiful weddings I have been to and I am not just saying that because it is my sister. It was held at sunset on the patio of the Temple Hills Country Club. Sherry looked absolutely beautiful and her flower girl/junior bridesmaids were so cute (now I am biased about that).

The festivities for the girls began on Thursday night with a trip to the nail salon. Katelyn and Ellie were beaming to get to do "big girl" nails. Ellie even talked the lady into doing polka dots on her toes (not on the wedding attire list), but we went with it.

Friday's rehearsal dinner was one of the funnest I've been to. It was held at South Street. I highly recommend it. We capped the evening off downtown at Roberts for some authentic honky tonk with my out of state cousins--a real treat.

Saturday the girls were treated to the hair salon for some girly hairdos and then pre-wedding pictures galore. Overall, a fabulous day. We capped off the weekend with a brunch at my house which gave us a little time to visit with all of the out of town guests. It was so great to see everybody, and I was honored that so many of our family came in to celebrate this special day with my sister. To top it all off, we had the most beautiful weather of the year--perfect for two outdoor celebrations.

Sent from my LG phone

Katelyn has started to read to Owen and I LOVE IT

Owen takes to the roads

While visiting my grandparents in Louisville this weekend for Sherry's wedding shower, my cousin pulled out a motorized car. Owen thought it was the greatest thing ever.

Little Girl Cheer

Friday night was CPA Little Cheergirl Night. Once in the fall and once in the spring, the girls get to cheer at a football and basketball game. This was Ellie's first official night as a cheer girl. They have two one hour sessions leading up to the night after school to learn the cheers, then they march out in mass to the field. This Friday night was particularly special because they each got to bring some friends home first. We had a huge playdate, dinner and fun before walking over to the game.

First Days of School

Everybody's first day of school was different. Owen actually started Preschool last week, although I completely missed getting a first day of school picture of him.   Katelyn started on Monday for a half day. She has Mrs. McKnight, who she loves, and apparently she has a quiet voice the commands attention. I need to figure out where to find one of those for my house. Katelyn did a trial first day of school dress up on Sunday night to get ready for the real thing Monday morning. I caught both of them, but below is her actual first day pics. She was especially proud of her back pack.

Ellie made her debut in kindergarten today in Mrs. Teller's class. Mrs. Teller is super sweet and Ellie just ran right up to her and hugged her. I think she is going to have a great year. Ellie has been waking up every morning asking how many days until she starts school. She was made to learn. She loves to ask questions and see how things work.  The whole family walked her to school this morning. She has half days the rest of the week, so I have enlisted a former student (Peter Pan) to hang out with her in the afternoons.

I can't believe when I look at her that she has started kindergarten. It seems like yesterday that she was this cute little dimple faced toddler, and now she is a tall-lanky young lady that stands so tall and grown up.

First soccer games and Feather Farewell party

The girls started back soccer last Saturday. Katelyn played first and is in white. They actually took home their first loss since the team began. I think in three years. They actually didn't seem to mind much. It was pretty hot out and I think they were more focused on water and cooling off than the game. Katelyn scored a goal, but I wasn't quick enough to catch it on film.

Ellie's game was an hour later. She is on a new team this year and seems to be enjoying it. The coach seems nice and is engaging with the kids. I think they won, but nobody keep close score when they are that little.

With school starting on Monday, we all had to take our feathers out of our hair. They were fun while they lasted, but don't meet uniform standard guidelines. Alan took a picture of us before we all took them out.

CPA Football Begins!!!!! go Lions!

One of the benefits of our new house location is that we are right next door to the school so it makes it easier to make it to the games. Friday night was our first game with a new head coach, so there was a lot of suspense to see how it would all work out. We were the game of the week, so Rudy Kalis rode in on a helicopter and reported live from our fields. Owen stared in amazement. He is definitely all boy and loved watching the helicopter.

The girls donned their cheer girl outfits for the game. There was tailgating before at the new high school building with lots of friends and classmates. Grandmom Marilyn gave us the treat of being able to actually stay for the whole game as she took Owen home to bed around kick off. The night was a success with CPA romping Goodpasture. Contrats Coach Martin!!!

Thanks to Grandmom Marilyn!!!!!!

Since construction was a little behind on the new high school building, school was pushed back a week. Grandmom Marilyn so graciously agreed to bring Katelyn back a week later so that she could stay with us for the week before school starts and keep Katelyn and Ellie. I think they had a ball with their Grandmom time!!! She caught some of the best sibling pictures I have had in awhile.

Owen also started his new preschool this week at CPA. They seem to love him and say he is very sweet and well-behaved. Here is a picture of their buggy ride. The little girl next to him is a week older than Owen, but I'd say he could eat her up :)

The girls walking Owen home from school

Katelyn made it home

Ellie, Owen and I met Katelyn at the airport when she arrived from Camp Netimus. Ellie REALLY missed Katelyn. As soon as she saw her in the terminal, she RAN to her. As you can see from the picture, she went into the No Entry area and set off the alarms. But is was so sweet to see how much she loved her big sister. Katelyn's flight had been delayed, so Ellie put together a sign for her. She was actually initially delayed overnight and spend the night in Detroit. Thanks Grandmom Marilyn for taking such good care of her.

2 more days until Katelyn comes home

Tonight is Katelyn's last night at camp. We miss her dearly in the Calhoun household. She gets picked up tomorrow and will fly in on Sunday. Can't wait to see her!!!!! I can't believe my baby has been gone for 3 weeks. 

 Final dance performance

They came in through a window to a surprise Candyland banquet.

Cape Cod Vacation

In July, we were blessed to be able to go to Cape Cod and stay in a house with my inlaws. I think Cape Cod is one of my favorite vacation spots. The place is beautiful and you have a great time without anything spectacular scheduled. Their Shining Sea Bike Path runs 10 miles along the water and down to Woods Hole. We rented bikes for the week with Owen in a trailer and Ellie in a tagalong. I was especially proud of Katelyn who rode her own bike. She was initially apprehensive, but it quickly wore off as she tried to keep up with her older cousin, Rebecca. We took one day and biked the 6.5 miles to Woods Hole. It is  beautiful site and quaint town area. Owen liked the seals at the aquarium.

One day, we took a ferry trip over to Martha's Vineyard and strolled along the town. The kids took a dip in the ocean and enjoyed looking at the gingerbread houses. The highlight of the day was the three cousins (Katelyn, Ellie and Rebecca) and me getting feathers in our hair. They had asked for weeks for them and I finally caved. Unfortunately, they have to take them out for school.

We also hit a good old-fashioned county fair. I should show pictures of how disgusting our feet were, but I will spare you. They had the traditional rides, animals and treats. We realized that we have never taken our kids to a fair. It actually brought back memories of Aunt Joyce taking us kids to the fair every summer (but only on wristband days :) )

The week ended with Alan venturing home with Ellie and Owen, while I rode with the grandparents to Pennsylvania to take Katelyn to camp (which she is still loving). 

 I had to run in the morning to work off all the ice cream we ate.

 Katelyn, Ellie and their cousin

 Leaving the aquarium

 The top of the lighthouse on a not-so-clear day. The picture below is the prism glass thing that allows the light to shine miles and miles away. It is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. They can't figure out how it was made to replicate it, so they were very particular about not touching it.

Ellie petting a very new baby chick.