Busy barns Farm

We went to the pumpkin patch with my sister and sister in law and had SOOOO much fun.

They had a petting barn, corn maze, slides, pig chase, an obstacle course, hamster wheels and so much more.  We easily could have spent more time there, and we were there for almost 6 hours.

 Liv holding a goat!

 Claire riding a goat!

 This might be one of my favorite pictures ever!  So funny.  

This is how we all felt after we got in the car.  Thanks for the good time SueAnn and Bonnie!

Avengers Halloween

A few months ago, the kids decided they wanted to be the Avengers for Halloween.  

I think we made a pretty good effort, and I of course think they are adorable.

Liv's Party

Olivia had her 5th birthday a few weeks ago.  How she is already 5 is crazy, but since she was getting up there in age and had not had a birthday party, we decided to have a carnival/circus party for her.  It was a long time coming, so I felt I needed to make it extra special.  I spent A LOT of time making prizes, planning games and decorations and getting everything almost perfect.  I unfortunately could not plan the weather, so it was cold, windy and cloudy, but we persevered and everyone survived.  I took all the pictures before the party began because I knew we would be having too much fun once it started.  

 the sun room made to look like a circus tent

 prize booth and prizes.  The kids all collected tickets after they played a game and could turn them in and get prizes for them.

 ping pong shoot

 ring toss

 PLINKO, thanks to my hubby who helped make this!

 fishing

 bean bag toss

 hula hoop throw

High wire walk

There were about 20 kids there along with about another 10 adults.  we also has popcorn, hotdogs, chips and hot chocolate to keep warm.  It was well worth the work, because she loved it.

Noses

Here at the Roderick house, we don't believe in pictures of first steps, first baths or really any other first, EXCEPT first bloody noses.  Claire finally experienced hers the other day, and I forced her to sit and look until I finally had the right shot.  Then I cleaned her up! 

Grace's job

Grace wanted to earn some money, she decided to write up a little flyer and take it to our neighbors. She delivered the flyer on Sunday and went to collect cans Monday.  Here in Iowa you get 5 cents per can you turn in to recycle.  She collected over 100 cans and earned $5.95 for her hard work!  The last few weeks have not been as good, but she is keeping it up.

Camping

We decided to take our kids camping at a county park a few weeks ago.  It was just one night, 20 minutes from home, but they loved it.  We ate an early dinner at home so we didn't have to cook on the fire, then went to get our tent set up.  The kids played while Chris and I worked on the tent.  Then we took a walk around the area to entertain the kids.  We saw bunnies, and birds and trees! 
 When it got dark, I gave all the kids their own flashlight and they wanted to take a walk again holding their flashlights.  We had to split up into groups because we had our fire started, so the girls went together, and then daddy went with Jed (and the girls tagged along again).  It got pretty cold that night, but the kids loved it and have asked if next summer we can go more often.