Three Spooks

The boys had a great time celebrating Halloween this year. I have had my decorations up since the end of Spetember so getting into the spirit was no problem. We've made several trips for pumpkins, created spooky projects to hang up and even handmade our costumes this year. (*I've been reading the Harry Potter books to C & L, just #1, 2 and 3, and they are obsessed!!) So Connor was a Harry Potter quidditch player, Liam was a Draco Malfoy quidditch player and Novak was the Golden Snitch(thats the little gold ball the quidditch player chase around on their brooms trying to catch).

We attended the 'Scarium' at the Aquarium Sunday morning for an hour of treat free prizes and seeing lots of spooky reptiles. I take the boys there about once a week so they're comfortable walking around on their own exploring :)

We squeezed in a hockey practice(imagine that!!)in the afternoon before rushing off to our nephews birthday party at 4. We got lots of cake and ice cream, present opening and cousin play before heading to Hogwarts Halloween-an entire party dedicated to Harry Potter lovers!

It was incredible!!! There was three floors of recreated scenes from the movies-Gryffindor's common room, the dining hall, Hogsmeade Village with shops galore, Gringotts Bank and a horse drawn carriage. We all had a blast searching the "castle" for new rooms and participating in all the fun activities. Dan and I even wore costumes to join in the fun :) It was great.

Yesterday at school Connor's teacher completely decorated their classroom and planned a morning party with parent volunteers. Dan spent the morning making crafts with the kids and passing out candy. Then the kids got into costume before an afternoon parade. It was so cute seeing all the kids march around the gym together.

After school we headed to Dan's parents for the annual Halloween pizza party with all the cousins and then trick or treating to all the homes Dan used to go to. We came back up the hill for 2 more full hours of trick or treating...the boys walked the whole time and loved it! We ended up with pounds and pounds of candy, which we willl discard soon!, but it was worth it to see them all laughing and running from house to house together. It's one of our favorite holidays....we're already looking forward to next years fun-filled holiday

**On a side note, 4th pregnancy is going well. I am in my 27th week right now with only 91 days left(my phone app says so). Time flies. So far things are going great and the boys can't wait to meet little Miss. Juna(as they have named "her" and call her all the time).

Feelin' good at 30!

I can't help but end this weekend feeling so blessed! Friday night Dan threw me a surprise birthday party to celebrate my 30th. I have been saying for weeks, "nothing big...let's not draw attention to it and I won't feel 30!" So much for that approach.

I came home from night from my "surprise" massage he had scheduled to 30+ of my friends and family screaming "SURPRISE!!". It was overwhelming to know that many people came to celebrate and share in my big day. I gave a round of hugs then went to my bedroom to change...and my parents and sister Mary, with her hubby and little Claire, were in there!!! SO AMAZING!! We partied the night away....it was way better than doing nothing at all :)

Saturday was Novak's first hair cut :) Neither of us cried and he looks adorable.

We hit the Lakewalk then enjoyed the day together before all the guys went to the Bulldog game and the ladies laid low at home.

Everyone took off early this morning. The boys are already asking when our next Omaha trip is because they all miss baby Claire!

Turning 30 didn't sound too fun but as I reflect on the weekend I'm overjoyed with where I am in my life at this time:
My husband continues to shower me with love and affection, like he has from day 1

My children love me, hug me and make me smile daily

I have a beautiful, round belly filled with our fourth healthy babe

My youngest is potty training with great ease(thank goodness!)

Best of all I get to stay at home to raise my children(what I always wanted to do!)

I can't believe I'm 30! That's the old age your older sisters and brothers are right?! Well, not anymore....but if life is this good at 30, then 30 ain't that bad!

They've taken flight!

My sister gave Connor 5 live caterpillars for his birthday. We have watched them crawl around, slow and cocoon, wait while they changed, hatched, gained their color over days and days, fed them and are now watching all 5 fly all over the cage. We let 2 go tonight, Connor was sobbing because he would miss them so much, and they stayed in the yard long enough for us to follow them around and take pictures before venturing off. Amazing gift Knutsons!! Thank you so much :)

We're adjusting to the schedule of school. I posted some 'first day of school' pics. Connor is settling in and Liam and Novak are enjoying the individual time with me.
Our quick trip to Omaha was fabulous. We said our sad goodbyes to my best friend, and Connor's godmother, Erin who will be leaving for Afghanistan in a few weeks. We will miss her terribly! We also spent tons of time snuggling our newest neice Claire. Connor was a big helper; feeding her, holding her, watching diaper changes...hope this babe in belly is a girl bc it looks like I'll have a helper :) We also went bowling and played arcade games, attended the "loud, Jesus church" as the boys called it, shopped for clothes, and spent time with the cousins. Dan won the tourney he was playing in with my dad. The long drive home(we got home at 4am on Sunday night) was tough but worth every minute!! Can't wait to go back :)

CHEERS!

Heres to our best summer to date!! We had so much fun laughing, splashing, chasing, tickling, tubing, golfing with, sunning, pitching to, traveling with and making sweet memories with our three boys this summer. Their willingness to try new things made each new adventure that much more enjoyable. They are becoming the best of friends and its amazing to think in a few months we will be blessed with another giggling bundle of Doyleness! A few pics from the past few weeks of summer:

Our mental health week...

I love Liam's poses in this one!!!

Rockin' the aviators!

IPad obsessed :)

With the van packed full last Saturday we headed South in anticipation of house swapping with friends for the weekend in the cities. We were heading on to Okoboji late Sunday afternoon. Plans quickly changed when we realized my newest neice, whom I hadn't met, would be in Albert Lea for the evening. SOLD! We drove all afternoon and arrived in time to snuggle on her before bed. After the quick visit we continued the trip onto Okoboji, IA to stay in a relatives cabin for the night. Arriving at 11:30pm to a less than 400 sq. ft. "cabin", with my sister, her husband and their three kids already sleeping, made that night not too restful.

We caffeine blasted the no-sleep induced "hangover" and took the kids to Arnold's Park amusement park all afternoon. Things started out slow, not knowing the kids daredevil tolerance, but they quickly rose the bar by riding rides even I would not go on....over and over again! We finally peeled them away before supper to officially check into the Mansion(as it was titled) at the Village West resort on Okoboji's west lake.

The first half the week was spent with Claussens(3 boys), Wellwoods(newborn), my parents, my neice(12) and nephew(10), and our family in a large cabin(the Mansion!). We rented boats and jet skis each day, played putt putt to our heart content, made quick visit back to Arnold's for a few missed rides, spent hours on the beach making sand castles and swimming, took walks, played yard games, played at the park, swam in the pools....it was glorious! Each night we feasted on deliciously prepared meals then stayed up late chatting and playing cards.

Thursday the Claussens and Wellwoods left and the Knutsons(4 kids) and my brother Daniel arrived. Those days were filled with fishing(my sister caught a 36 in. Northern Pike!!), smores making, driving range visits, more putt putt, another visit to Arnold's Park, even more hours on the beach(I read while Dan played with the boys, bless his heart!) and the notorious visit to Rocket Park.

It was incredible to be staying with so many people in one cabin but have things run so smoothly. The kids were great, making memories with their cousins all week, and soaking up the "no schedule" lifestyle. It was fabulous to be completely in the moment the whole week, not worrying about anything but relaxing and enjoying my family!

We hope this trip makes the books next year. Dan and I have said several times, "That was the best vacation!" and we hope to do it again!

WHOA....new camera!!

I recently splurged huge and bought myself a new digital camera with digital video! It has been amazing taking pictures, at speeds I never imagined, and capturing sunny summer memories. No more guilt about forgetting to take video of Novak....it's too easy now. I have taken almost 1000 pictures in the past three weeks....so here are a bunch of my favorite :)

Happy Birthday Novak!!!

Novak turns 2 today and we can hardly believe it. Some days he acts and talks like the big boys playing star wars characters to a T and saying things like, "oh my goodness mommy" or his classic, "mommy, liam hit me." He's full of bubbly energy, loves to climb to daring heights, enjoys watching his namesake on tv!, adores his brothers and has the most gorgeous hair of any 2 year old we know. :)
Happy Birthday Novak!!