Megamind in D3?

The weekend before Thanksgiving, we joined some friends at the movies to go see the new animated movie Megamind in 3D.  It was a very fun movie, with lots of laughs from the adults and the kids alike - just not always in the same places.  Plus it had a really great soundtrack!

We had no idea that we were seeing the special D3 version.

Ryan with friends Shawn & Matt sporting the very cool
3D (or is it D3) glasses.

6th Grade

Ryan's 6th grade school picture

State Fair

On the last Saturday it was open, a friend of mine and I took our kids to the State Fair.  We headed out on a Saturday in search of anything on a stick to eat and fun games and rides!  They were having this great buy one get one free on entry fees.  So, that saved us some money on getting in.  I think we were both prepared for it be pretty busy.  And would you believe it wasn't.  The weather was perfect, not too hot and not the least bit cold.  All in all a great day!  Thanks Kim for inviting us to go with you. 



Ryan with his friends Shawn & Matt



Ryan & I.  Doug was at home with a sinus infection.

One of the biggest cows I have ever seen.  They were just huge.

They had had a pigeon competition earlier on .  I never knew there
were so many varieties of pigeon in the world.  I just know about
the ones that like to hang out people's roofs.  This one was pretty
neat, it had feathers on it's feet.  You could not see it's feet all.

Ryan and Shawn went on the bumper cars.  Ryan wanted to get the
Vikings colored car - and he did!

Matt playing a basketball carnival game.

I loved this huge pickle!  The boys humored me by letting me take their
picture with the pickle.

And of course at the fair they have some of the
strangest things to eat.  This is one I had not heard
of before.  I would have tried it but no one else was
game.

Funnel Cake!  One of my favorite reasons to go to a fair.

Shawn giving me the thumbs up on his very first
funnel cake!

Ryan won a fish at his very first carnival game.
Everywhere we went after that so many people
kept coming up to us wondering where we won
the fish at.

Ryan saved his money (mostly because I made him) and bought this
really cool bow and arrow.

Ryan won this basketball at one of the carnival
games.

Fall Picnic at School

An event we look forward to every year is the Fall Picnic at Ryan's school.  And it was a little sad to think that this is the last year that we will be attending.  There are always all sorts of fun activities for the kids to do, good food and music.  In the past few years, Ryan as been old enough to be able to just hang out with his friends and do all the activities on his own.  Which has been very nice for us, we find a spot to eat our meal and that becomes "home base", he knows where to find us at the rest of the night.  It also means that I don't get pictures of what he's up to.  This year, there was one activity that I did photograph, and video, him and his friend on.  It's called That Spinny Thing.  And that is exactly what it is - a Spinny Thing!  Check it out:

Ryan and Shawn waiting in line.

Getting strapped in.

Ryan getting "seat belted" in.

The final preparations.

And they're off!

 

Here's a short video of the ride.  They actually were on it for quite a bit longer.  And the guys got it going pretty fast at the end.  The boys had a lot of fun on it - and we had just as much fun laughing at them being spun all around.  (And don't forget, if you get this in email form, you need to go to the sight and click on the picture below this typing - it's the video portion.

It's A Half Day Lunch Treat

Last week Ryan had a half day.  I told him that he could pick anywhere for lunch that day.  So where did he pick?  QT of course!  We enjoyed a hotdog, soda & Ryan had a Hershey bar for dessert.  It was really good, and surprisingly not that expensive.  Not sure about the nutrition, but you have to have fun living right?

Sometimes It Pays to Be A Little Sneaky

I'm not saying that we should all do it, but sometimes it pays, just ask our dog Ranger.  Now, it's no secret that our dogs are slightly spoiled.  Okay, okay more than slightly.  They are not just dogs in our house, they are full fledged members of our family.  They get lots of love and attention. 

Ranger is the stealthiest of the two.  He has a way of sneaking around and into things that he shouldn't.  And he knows it.  Because he turns on the charm and those big sad puppy eyes so that he will not get in trouble.  He's made quite an art of it.

One morning, before school I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth.  For some reason I had shut the door when I went in.  Which I don't normally do for just a teeth brushing.  I could hear Ryan outside the door, and in the bedroom, laughing.  When I opened the door, this is the first thing I saw - Ranger all snuggled up and comfy as could be on our pillows.  I don't think so.  He was removed from the bed . . . that is after I snapped a couple pictures of him first.  Too cute, but not too cute to kick off the bed.  Sorry Ranger.  Better luck next time.

And a wonderful Halloween night it was

It was the perfect weather for our Halloween evening festivities this year.  Not too hot, and not too cold.  We did our usual, set up tables and the whole family came over for some food, trick or treating and entertainment.

Ryan and I in our costumes.

 And, here is another video, so those of you getting email updates, you need to go to the sight to see the video of Ryan's costume in action.

Baylee dressed up as Jesse from Toy Story.  Too cute!

Ryan and his friend trick or treating.
That's right, he's a banana!

Doug made Boba Fett for our pumpkin this year.

And Ryan's pumpkin had a ghost.

Part of the family enjoying the movie of the evening -
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone



My dad getting a closeup view of the movie.  Ryan and my dad recently
read this story for the first time, so I thought they would enjoy seeing
the movie.  And, I think the rest of the family enjoyed it as well.



What Do You Do With Your Pumpkin Guts?

Well?  Do you just throw them away?  Do you make pumpkin seeds in the oven?  This year we did something totally different with ours . . . we fed them to the chickens!  Now, if you receive this in email, let me tell you right now you need to go to the sight to view this post.  I'm including a video in this post and they do not go through email.  Happy viewing!

One of the twins enjoying the squishy pumpkin
goodness - I guess.  I don't eat pumpkin myself.

This picture cracked me up.  She was so excited
about getting pumpkin look how fast her head
is moving!

Happy Birthday To Doug

Last weekend Doug celebrated another birthday.  We kept it pretty simple this year, celebrating with just our little family.  First thing in the morning we gave him his presents.  We went a little more practical on gifts this year too.  Sticking  with clothing items. 

And then we celebrated in the evening by making a run of all our favorite Joe Places.  And, would you believe I left my camera at home sitting on my desk next to my computer?  So, no pictures of the evening sorry.



His Thomas the Train gift bag.



Sam had to make sure there was no food inside.

And even after most of the contents had been removed, Sam still
needed to be sure there was nothing in there to eat.

Doug with the shirt that Ryan  picked out for him.

So, here is our "Joe" evening.  We started out at Liberty Market for dinner.  Because you get $10 off your meal on your birthday.  Since their portions are so big, Doug and I always split something so we did pretty good on our meal there.  Then we went to Joe's Farm Grill for some shakes.  We got two - one for Ryan & I because Doug doesn't do shakes.  These were free because they were under the $10 limit.  And then we stopped at the carry-out window at Joe's Real BBQ for a chopped chicken salad - that Doug and I split for lunch the next day.  And again, that was free.  What a great deal!  I mean we love Joe's restaurants because the food is super yummy, but it's even better when you can get so much for free!  We are big time fans!

November Calendar Pages



2007



2008



2009

2010

A Foot Fitting

It was almost a week ago that Ryan went in for his foot fitting.  He is getting orthotics made for his over pronation - that he got from me.  I wonder who gave it to me in the first place?  Anyway, he was very nervous for this visit.  I kept telling him it was nothing to be worried about.  He had to just lay on a table while they make molds of his feet.  So easy.

The staff at our podiatrist office is so nice.  They are really wonderful to work with.

I was unable to attend this visit, so I sent  the camera with Doug.  He did a fantastic job capturing the moment.

Ryan nervously waiting on the table.

Getting started on the molds.

One foot all covered for the mold, now on to the second.

First mold removed.

Taking off the second mold.

Ryan's feet.  They look so small in this picture.

Finally it's all over.  Now Ryan can relax.