Some of Levi's favorite toys

Levi seems to have a few toys that are in deed his favorites, both at home and away.

At home (and away), he can work his stacking cups like a champ and also enjoys playing with the toy food.

Feeding cookie monster

At church, he has taken a liking to a particular cookie monster that eats the cookies.

At daycare, he likes to dance with Elmo and continues to be a HUGE fan of blueberry, the class beta.

He also has a few favorite books, including Brown Bear, Sandra Boynton Doggies, Horns to Toes, and Moo Baa La La La.

Soccer wraps up

The older boys wrapped up soccer season this weekend. We are so proud of the great season they both had. Jeremiah had some exciting offensive moments, contributed on defense and is doing better at handling defeat! Andrew certainly grew in skill for his first season and we'll be excited to watch him play in the spring.

Most of all, we appreciate the sportsmanship and team work that our kids exhibit in this game. Jeremiah had a few assists this season! I love this nearly as much, if not more than watching him score a goal! Andrew learned to celebrate in an appropriate way and also celebrate for his teammates!

We are so grateful to their coaches!

Orchard fun

Per Andrew's request a few weeks ago, we made a trip to a local apple orchard this weekend. The boys enjoyed playing, obstacle courses, mini golf, a giant slingshot, a hayrack ride, and picking out pumpkins.

Levi wasn't sure how he felt about it all. He has been a little cranky lately and this may have not been the best timing for him. So, we had a few meltdowns, but he did ok! His favorite part may have been the apple donuts!

We grabbed one orange pumpkin and one white one (perfect for our ghost push-in pieces.)

I particularly enjoyed the boys comparing this to other outings they have made to other pumpkin patches and apple orchards. It reminds Mommy that those are all special memories for them.

Aunts and Uncle converge!

A few weeks ago we were blessed to have Aunt Carrie, Aunt Caitlin and Uncle Matt for a visit to watch Andrew and Jeremiah play soccer. Unfortunately, it was the coldest game of the season! The spectators were bundled up in winter coats, blankets, hats, etc. The players were even sporting hats and gloves.

There was also several rounds of wrestling on the living room floor, board games, tickles, books read and all the fun that comes when aunts and uncles visit.

IT WAS COLD!

The boys and mom and dad were so happy they all made the trip to see us!

Probably not one that Disney will use in their marketing!

Combines, football and cows - oh my!

Jeremiah and Andrew's three day weekend from school was our signal to head north to spend some time with grandparents. Daddy traveled ahead of us to help Grandpa T with a few projects at Great-grandma's house in Winslow. The boys were troopers for mommy driving by herself!

An early dismissal for Jeremiah also meant we arrived in time to catch some high school football. We didn't get to see cousins play because one was injured and the other played a team that didn't field a JV team, but it was fun to take the boys back and run in to people that we could then tell them taught us.

With not too many plans on Saturday, Mommy, Andrew and Jeremiah loaded up with Grandpa to go to the farm. They are getting pretty good at helping, although Jeremiah has to be coerced! We fed at the blue shed and the bulls down below. Then, Papa wanted to check on the new fence so we took a gator ride down through the pasture. It was an adventure for the boys and so much fun for Mommy!

On the drive north, Andrew asked if he could go for a combine ride so on Saturday afternoon Papa made a few phone calls and off he went with Papa and Daddy. We think the farmer he rode with (Warren Offenheiser) was pretty excited to have a passenger. He even wanted him to stay until he finished a field, but we had other plans to get to.

Karl was able to join us for playing and spent the night at Grandma's. And, we headed out for an evening of pizza at Manny's with the Hubbs, Koester and G&G S. And what would Columbus Day weekend up north be without caramel apples!

As usual, Sunday came too soon. After church, we enjoyed lunch with the Alexanders and then had to hit the road. We stopped to see G&G Todd before we left and grabbed some McDonalds on the road.

The older boys enjoyed getting to spend Monday with Dad, who took off to be with them. Haircuts, a trip to the Halloween store and Buffalo Wild Wings make for a pretty good Monday!

Levi thought Grandma's recipe box needed a little shake-up! We know he is the baby when Grandma didn't stop him!