Aunt Tricia

My sister came to visit this past weekend. We had a lot of fun!

Most notably...we visited the DeMoulin Museum...



And ate Pumpkin Pie and Halloween Harvest ice cream from Marcoot Dairy Farm...
Yum...

Covered Bride Festival 2010

The Covered Bride Festival in Parke County, Indiana has been an annual tradition for my family since I was (younger than) Kara's age.
Papa bought some pumpkin ice cream which was a hit!
It was magnificent weather (which also means it was crowded) but we had a great time with my parents, aunt, grandma and cousin!
Kara insisted on carrying her own stuff out of the hotel...

We'll be back next year:

Delicious!!!

I love fall and I love this fallish recipe.
Kara calls these our "Covered Bridge Festival nuts." Stay tuned to learn about our experience there.
Click over to my favorite crockpot lady for the recipe if you don't mind a new addiction (it's worse than Pringles!)

Kara's Big Pumpkin Part 2

Here's how that big pumpkin turned out:

I asked her what the pumpkin's name was and she said, "Nothing. Why would you think I would name a pumpkin?"

TP'd

One of our neighbors got TP'd and I had the privilege explaining what that meant to Kara! Wind blew a bunch of toilet paper in our yard. For the last few days, I've thought about going out there and cleaning it up. Then I had an idea. Kara just started a chore chart and she gets paid for doing certain things around the house (other "chores" she does just because she's part of the family). Why not pay her to do it? When I mentioned to her the idea, she litterally ran out of the house to do it! Best 50 cents I've ever spent.
Now what to do with the bushes. It looks like we've decorated for Halloween. We haven't!

Kara's Big Pumpkin

Thanks, Grandpa, for a HUGE pumpkin. Thank you, also, for keeping it at your house :)



I think she likes it!

8 Wonderful Years

Today I'm celebrating my wedding anniversary. Eight years ago today I pledged my life to my best friend. It was a wonderful celebration on that day but I never knew how fun, fulfilling and amazing it would be to be married. It's been a great ride and I love you, Luke!

Then:
Now:

Now a Sparky

Kara has graduated from Cubbies to Sparks in the AWANA program and she couldn't be more excited. These are from the first night of Sparks this year.
Checking in:


She got her official Sparks vest the next week. I'll have to get some pics of that!

Fishing

Last night, Kara, Luke and I had a great time fishing off a friend's boat on Carlyle Lake.
My attempt at an "artsy" sun picture:Kara with her trusty Barbie fishing pole.
Father/Daughter fishing

Yeah...the Barbie pole caught a fish!
Happy fisherwoman!
Daddy trying out the Barbie pole to see if it would work for him.
Daddy caught a fish with his pole!
Our scenic view:
Happy day and happy family!