Wow - I guess this has kinda fallen through the cracks. I will try to make an effort to update this a bit more.

Fall is in the air

Here they are with their pumpkins
Originally uploaded by allenandcindy

Here are the pumpkins we picked from the neighbors. That is very handy to be able to zip across the road with the troops, pick some pumpkins, and get them home without wasting the entire day. Notice that noone went with the little pumpkins.
Trick or Treating this year was a dilema. Do we stay at our new house with only a few places to hit, or do we take the time on a school night to trick-or-treat in old Naperville neighborhood. We opted for the old neighborhood. It was great to see the old neighbors. We really did have a great old neighborhood. So, this year we had a RockStar girl (Carly), SuperMatt, a Butterfly (Margaret), and the fourth person to be tigger. That costume was worth the purchase.

Kids messing around

Kids messing around
Originally uploaded by allenandcindy

When the kids are playing well togethor, it is worth taking a picture! This was after dinner one night while cleaning up the family room. Matt ended up on top of Carly, then Margaret couldn't let this go on without involving her, and finally, we put Jack on top and took a picture. If you look into this set of pictures you will see carlys bulletin board, carlys sleepover, Matts train print, our 2000pc puzzle, etc..

Touchdown Jesus 2007

Touchdown Jesus
Originally uploaded by allenandcindy

This year the annual Notre Dame game was vs. the Spartans of Michigan State. We arrived at campus early enough to take a walk with the kids and get the annual picture in front of Touchdown Jesus. The weather was good, the kids handled the long ride pretty good, but the Irish lost. It was a foretelling of the kind of season they were destined to have. I am sure, fingers crossed here, that next season will be better and when the current freshman mature, they will be competing for a national title. Gotta keep the faith.

Grandpa Jim and Grandma Shirley

Grandpa Jim and Grandma Shirley
Originally uploaded by allenandcindy

A suprise 80th birthday party was planned for Grandpa Jim. On a recent sunday, as he attended Church in Maquoketa with Grandma Shirley, this tractor and wagon showed up in the parking lot, with all his kids and more than a few of his grandkids. When he came out of church, he was escorted into the seat of honor for a ride around town and back to his house, where the rest of the crew waited. Everyone was wearing John Deere garb, and the party was fun for all. Jims sisters and brothers also came.
If you don't know the story of how Jim came into our family, we can go into that later, but let's just say that is takes a huge leap of faith for a lifelong bachelor to marry a widow with 11 kids, 9 of which were boys. Some were older and independent, but immediately he would have Shirley and 6 kids in his house. We probably don't say thank you to Jim enough for all he has done. Without his 'huge leap of faith', I can't imagine were we would be today.

Margaret turns 3!!

Margarets Birthday Cake
Originally uploaded by allenandcindy

Margaret is growing up quick. She is already 3 and currently kid-in-charge when Carly and Matt are at school. She is at home either dressing up in play clothes with Carly, or wrestling and playing trains with Matt.

Sumertime fun

Twister
Originally uploaded by allenandcindy

This summer included many twister games and puzzles. We even did a 2000 piece puzzle. It took a couple weeks and Dad did alot at night, but we all finished it togethor. Matt and Carly had vacation Bible school at church and totally enjoyed the process. That will be a new yearly tradition. We also had numerous plays performed by Carly, Matt, and Margaret. In addition to that, we watched Jack begin walking, then running, then wrestling with his siblings. We went miniature golfing, but I don't remember who won. Had a few friends down for play dates, and flew a few kites. It was a fun, busy summer.

Christmas in July

Christmas in July
Originally uploaded by allenandcindy

Every summer, the kids have Christmas in July. So this year, July 25th, they read christmas stories, watched christmas shows, listened to christmas carols, and decorated Christmas cookies.

We have a new playset!

Group photo
Originally uploaded by allenandcindy

We finally broke down, and after realizing I really didn't have the time to build a playset, bought a playset. It was ordered, delivered, and set up in 2 weeks. On set up day, they arrived at 11:00 and finished by 2:30. Kids were on the set by 2:35. Since then, we have had various classmates of Carly and Matt down, cousins Brian and Hannah, and Carly's 2nd grade teacher on the set. It seems to be a hit. So much so that I have to get mulch under it quick as they have pretty much killed the grass already..

Jack on his 1st birthday

Jack on his 1st birthday
Originally uploaded by allenandcindy

Jack, our youngest, and maybe last, has left the baby stage and is now 1 year old and walking while holding onto walls, people, etc.. We had a party for his 1st birthday for Grandparents and Godparents. He is the only one to have his 1st birthday party at the new house. There was plenty of room for the crowd, and cake was good. Jack seems to say that is all you need. Family, Friends, and Food.

Our Naperville outing....

Our Naperville outing....
Originally uploaded by allenandcindy

We decided we had enough things we wanted to do in Naperville to go to town for the day. We wanted to see this years sculptures, needed to get kids shoes, and wanted to take all the kids to a restaurant to see how they would do. We accomplished all our tasks. Everyone came home after seeing sculptures, with new shoes, and after a GREAT outing in the restaurant. No fighting, everyone stayed in their seats, and I think they earned the right to go out again soon.

Graduation Ceremony

Ceremonial shake
Originally uploaded by allenandcindy

Matt made it through his Kindergarden year with flying colors. It may not seem like it all the time, but he has kinda settled down, occasionally. His favorite reading seems to be the product information labels on cereal boxes. We never eat without knowing the calorie content anymore.