Oktoberfest

October was a month full of fall festivities and what an absolutely beautiful autumn it was. The weather wasn't all that inviting but it was perfect for the trees as they were so amazing. We were able to enjoy the peak color in both the U.P. and down state, too.

One of my favorite streets in Howell

Oct. 3: Spindler's Visit

The first weekend in October we enjoyed a wonderful weekend with the Spindlers. We went up to Sagniaw for the day and watched an awesome NMU football victory. Brooke, Brad, and the girls came back to our house that evening to spend the night. We had a blast playing Wii tennis and just relaxing. Maddy and Rylee stayed up way too late, but were playing great together so we let it slide. We paid for that on Sunday. Mylee and Sadie were in bed on time and were all smiles the next morning though. It was so fun having the Spindlers here. We just enjoy our time together so much. I just wish we could do it more often so Rylee and Sadie could get to know us better and love us as much as we love them! Can't wait for our next visit!

Sweet Sadie all smiles before bedtime

Maddy and Rylee coloring together at 10 pm

Mylee and Sadie eating breakfast together

Oct. 10: Jaelyn's Birthday Party

The following weekend we went home for our niece Jaelyn's fifth birthday party. We had a fun-filled weekend as we always do when we go home. We left after work on Friday and decided to stop and stay at the bridge. We are so happy we did as the trip across the U.P. in the morning was absolutely breath-taking. We would have missed all the autumn color in the dark the night before had we not stopped for the night and Monday we traveled through snow so we missed it then too. It was sure a beautiful drive! Anyway, we got there Saturday in time for Jaelyn's pool party and had a blast celebrating with her.

Happy Birthday Jaelyn!

Birthday Girl swimming with her goggles
(My camera is all fogged up by the steam in the pool)

Grandpa kissing Mylee by the pool

Cousins Halloween Photo Shoot

That afternoon we dressed all the kids in their Halloween costumes for a photo shoot with their custom designed pumpkins. My dad grew his own pumpkins out at camp and scratched all the grandkids names on a pumpkin. That way when the pumpkins grew the names would scar on them and grow as well. It was so exciting for the kids to each have their own pumpkin.

Not sure why Addisyn's pumpkin was misplaced???

Thumbelina, Snow White, and Ariel

Kriegl Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest

That night we had our annual pumpkin carving contest. What an ordeal! See the post below to see the pumpkins and PLEASE VOTE!

Jaelyn cleaning out her pumpkin

This is the kids downstairs sitting around a garbage eating candy
with no clothes on while the adults where upstairs carving pumpkins

Sunday we laid pretty low and just enjoyed each other's company while watching football. It was a nice relaxing day. We did get outside and spent some time racking leaves and letting the kids play in them, but mostly it was a inside football watching day.

Addisyn...too cute not to post

Makinac enjoying the view

Mylee begging to take a bath with the big kids

Oct. 17: Spicer's Cider Mill

The next weekend we took the kids to Spicer's cider mill for some cider and donuts. We took some pictures of the girls in the pumpkin patch and also some in the apple orchard but it was a bit chilly so we didn't stay long.

Big Sister...Little Sister

Sorry Spicer's we let Maddy pick one of the apples

Pumpkin Carving

We also had the neighbors over that evening for dinner and pumpkin carving. It was a great time with the group although the kids weren't all that interested in the pumpkin carving after about 5 minutes. Why do we bother sometimes?

While the kids where still interested

Kendal and Maddy with two of the pumpkins

The pumpkins

Oct. 21: Pumpkin Patch

The next week we had a few beautiful, warm fall days so one week night we decided to go to the cider mill with the neighbors for our annual photo shoot with the kids in the pumpkin patch. Unfortunately it didn't go so good as the Schmidt kids weren't up for getting in their costumes and taking pictures. None the less we had a great evening with the group and we got some cute pictures. I eventually got Kendal to smile too by juggling 3 apples...apparently I can juggle!

The neighborhood gang

Ben, Maddy, Mylee, and Gabe
(missing Kendal and Hayden)

Watch out Ariel...Spiderman has his eyes on you!

Maddy and Kendal were both mermaids

Mylee as Sebastian and Gabe as a spider
(Two of the sweetest babies ever)

Mike with his girls who were clearly not in the mood for pictures

Mylee all smiles at dinner at Arby's

Oct. 24: Legend of Sleepy Howell

The weekend before Halloween was the big Legend of Sleepy Howell weekend. Trick-or-treating downtown was supposed to be Saturday night but because of bad weather it was postponed until Sunday. We had plans to be with the neighbors so we still went downtown to watch a magic show at the library and eat pizza at Mr. B's together. We then hung out at the Schmidts, so it was a fantastic day with friends.

Visiting with Papa Jon during the day

We picked up where we left off and had a great night trick-or-treating on Sunday night. It ended up being a beautiful night and a lot of fun for the kids. We also went on a hayride through downtown. This event is such a great time for the young kids and the candy is awesome.

The neighborhood gang

Daddy and Maddy getting lots of candy

Mylee hanging out with momma

Going for a hayride

My girls

Oct. 31: Halloween/Trick-or-Treating

The last weekend of October was finally Halloween. We spent the day watching a volleyball tournament in Fowlerville and then got home in time to finish up our pumpkin we started the night before and then headed out trick-or-treating. Unfortunately the wind was too chilly for the kids and they only lasted about 30 minutes before they were freezing and had enough. We decided to spend the rest of the night at the Abbotts handing out candy, which Maddy actually really enjoyed. We made festive pumpkin and mummy personal pizzas and pigged out on candy. It was a great Halloween despite the weather!

Our family pumpkin...Simba, the Lion King
(Shh..don't tell our family but we are going to enter this one into the contest next year)

Maddy and Mylee ready to go trick-or-treating

Trick-or-Treat

Too sweet... just had to post

Here is a video of Maddy trick-or-treating in our subdivision. We told her that Ariel has a nice, loud voice so she needed to use it when she was trick-or-treating. This is what we got...

...pretty impressive for our little shy Maddy
(notice Mike at the end; he is eating all his kids' candy)