Our latest obsession...

The kids are really loving the new Wii party game. Yes, it is a video game but I totally love that the kids can all play together. Jackson is totally hooked. I caught him up at 5am with the sound down playing "Match Up." Guess we have to hide the remotes before we got to bed:). Totally a fun game for the whole family. Love the second video where Grant hugs Liam and says that they both "winned" when in reality they both lost. Such a cute moment.

Race for the Cure

Here are two pictures from this year's Race for the Cure. We walked again this year in honor of my grandma and her 10 year survival from breast cancer. Still didn't feel adventurous enough to bring all of the kids, but Jackson and Mia definitely enjoyed themselves. Maybe next year the whole clan can join in. Karla has better pictures than me from the event if you want to see more!

Aunt Pam and Uncle Jack visit

My Aunt Pam and Uncle Jack came to meet baby Kate and play with the other kiddos this past Saturday. Aunt Pam made a delicious lunch to share including some very tasty desserts which we definitely appreciated. All of the kids had a great time hanging out and playing. They all snuggled up on the couch with Aunt Pam to watch the movie "Up." It was great to have them visit. Hope to see them again soon!

A visit from Aunt Jill, Uncle John, and Cole

My Aunt and Uncle and their grandson came to visit last weekend to meet baby Kate. Cole and the twins are around the same age and they had the chance to play. The twins took to Uncle John and sat right on his lap. Cole saw this and headed right for the middle. We couldn't resist getting a picture and then an attempt at a photo of all the kids. It was great to see them. We hope to see more of them at future birthday parties so that Cole and the kids can have cousin time. Aunt Jill brought a totally adorable outfit for baby Kate which I hope to get her in soon! It was a nice visit. So glad they could come!

In Memory

With all the excitement and anticipation of the arrival of our new baby girl, I wanted to take some time to remember our two little angels in heaven. Matt's parent's church has a healing garden with remembrance bricks. We have two bricks in the garden. We never forget how blessed we are for our beautiful children and will not forget our two angels as well.

Welcome Sammy!

A little delayed in posting, but we were all very excited to welcome baby Sammy (Karla and Justin's new little boy). He is absolutely adorable and the kids are excited to meet him at Christmas time! Makes me excited for our little one to arrive!

Thanksgiving pics

We had a great Thanksgiving this year. We celebrated twice with my family on Thanksgiving day and then again on black Friday with Matt's family. The whole family (except Matt--not sure how he always avoids the puking) had some type of 24-48 hour GI virus the week of Thanksgiving, but luckily we were all feeling better by the actual holiday. Here are some pictures of our celebrations.

Decorating Cookies

Aunt Pam and Uncle Jack cookies (made by Aunt Pam)

Turkey cookies and free-for-all cookies

The kids next to their pumpkins at Mamaw and Papaw's house

Mia enjoying her cupcake



Matt's mom found an old McDonald's play set of Kelly's in the attic and brought it out for the kids to play with. Needless to say it was a big hit. All of them took turns trying on the apron and hat. It was our tribute to the Corbett's since they weren't able to celebrate with us!

Spooky Children's Museum

Kathy and I intended to take the kids to the Zoo and celebrate Zoo Boo for Halloween, but mother nature refused to cooperate. Instead we decided to celebrate at the Children's museum. Jackson and Mia wore their costumes and I think they all had a good time. I bought year-long passes plus two so that when family comes in to visit we can all go to the museum for a year. Now that the twins are no longer free, it was really cheaper to go for the yearly pass. With winter coming, I am looking forward to taking Grant and Liam only when Jackson and Mia are in school and being able to focus on them more while we are there. Here are some pictures we took that day.

Jackson and Mia in the Egypt exhibit

All the kids on a crocodile

Jackson and Grant looking at the glass artwork on the ceiling


Grant and Liam checking out their favorites, the trains

Liam driving a train

Jackson and Mia warming their dinosaur eggs

Reading Train

Pumpkin Carving

We carved our pumpkins last week. This was the first time we have carved pumpkins with the kids. The twins could have cared less about the whole process. Jackson and Mia helped for awhile then Jackson got distracted. Mia I think really enjoyed it though. I love to carve pumpkins and had a good time. We roasted the seeds afterward with butter and sea salt--yum!

Jackson and Mia scooping out their pumpkins

All the kids checking it out

Grant (left) and Liam (right) posing

Nana and Grant


Matt and I finishing the job (like my old-school A-Phi gear?)

Mia proudly showing off her pumpkin

4 little pumpkins

Thought I would share this from our church bulletin regarding being a Christian and being like a pumpkin....

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside, and scoops out all the yucky stuff--including the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you for all the world to see!

Happy Halloween!

A shower for Karla

My Mom, Grandma, a good friend of Karla's, and I were able to host a baby shower for Karla's first baby whom is due to be born around Thanksgiving. The theme was "Karla and Justin's 'Lil Pumpkin" and we decorated with a Halloween style. Karla's friend Brandi did a great job with the decorations and I think it all looked really cute. We had soup and breads for the meal and it was a perfect crisp, fall day for it all. Karla looks great and we are all really excited to see her new baby, especially since we don't know if it is a boy or a girl. I requested that she have the baby before Thanksgiving so that we can all love on him or her when we celebrate the holiday. We'll see when baby Rausch decides to arrive. We can't wait!

Brandi's super cute diaper cake and pumpkin decorations

The mommy-to-be and the shower helpers

Karla and Aunt Pam
Mia and Uncle Jack

Mia came with us to celebrate. She was excited to come to a girl party, but boy was Jackson bummed when we left him in Indy that morning. He told me that we had to have another party sometime with boys so that he could come, but he wanted Nana, Mia, and I to be there as well. Poor guy. Mia was super shy and reserved the whole party, but as soon as all the "strangers" left she was running around and being her typical self. It was a fun day!

Appleworks

We took the kids to Appleworks orchard last Friday night. It was a perfect fall evening and we had a good time. They had a giant slide, toy tractor, hay bales for climbing, and a small petting zoo. We enjoyed some apple cider slushes and the kids had some penny candy. Of course we also got some pumpkins to carve and a few apples to eat. I so love this time of year!