Where has the month gone?  The first half was spent in spectacular Italy with Nonnie and Auntie Jewlz.  Back here in the states didn't slow down at all while we were gone.  Reghan joined a water polo team to remain conditioned for swim but as the season progressed she's really begun to love it.

Meanwhile, on dry land, Heath's joined a new lacrosse league and is also falling more in love with it each week.

Back at home, all the kids are beginning to cook and bake more and more.  One weekend night Reghan and Ashlyn decided to bake a cake.  A colorful cake that reminded them of a sunset.  They did it all on their own and created a tasty treat.

It was also full of birthdays.  Heath is an unbelievable ten years old.  TEN!  Our boy has brought a decade of joy and wonder to our lives.  He's turning into a brilliant young boy who makes us so proud on a regular basis.

We had another birthday boy this month.  The kids tried to put his birthday years amount of candles on his cake but it caused such a fire hazard they had to stop around 15.

Fast forward a week to the Pioneer Shole School field trip where the third graders dress the part and spend a day in the shoes of children going to a one room schoolhouse during the 1800's.  It's one of the highlights of the year and just so happened ot be the same weekend the Grana + Grandpa came to visit and we certainly kept them busy.

Later that afternoon was our elementary school's fall pumpkin festival where the kids ran around all afternoon, ate goodies, danced, and picked out some pumpkins for us to bring home.

Both Ashlyn and Reghan have been active in their respective plays.  Ashlyn, through the park district theatre played the part of Ham in the Walking Dwarves.  Reghan, with her sixth grade play was a member of the stage crew on Alice @ Wonderland.  There were showings Friday, Saturday, and Sunday which kept us all running around.  They did so good they both made us beam with pride.

One of these days Gran and Grandpa are going to come up and not feel compelled to help much.  In the meantime we won't decline when they feel up to it.  Notice the thumbs up from Steven as his dad's raking leaves and his mom's mowing the lawn.

 They helped decorate the outside of the house and had a dance party with Max.

Nonnie, Poppie, and Auntie Amy came up for the Saturday shows where we celebrated with a sundae bar and slideshow of our Italy trip.

The night ran so late that everyone stayed at our place and so the party continued into the morning.

After breakfast we headed out to Heath's lacrosse game.  It was a gorgeous fall weekend and couldn't be more perfect to spend the morning in the sun. 

Auntie Jewlz and Jon came out for Ashlyn's last show.  While here, Joan brought in their first engagement gift and as you can see form the look on her face, it was epic!  Wicked Weed brought up from North Carolina.  She couldn't have been more thrilled and excited to have a box full of it.

We just started a puzzle before they came and Grandpa pulled through for us putting the boarder together and a few pieces on the interior.

This about summed up the weekend.  Sunday night rolled around and Ashlyn curled up next to Grana and next thing we knew is she was passed out.  It was an extremely fun and busy weekend.  It was wonderful to see everyone and will be nice to see them again in just a few weeks.