Halloween Eve

We carved a pumpkin last night and the excitement is building around here. Zachary was so excited last night that he could hardly get himself to sleep. I must admit, I too am kind of looking forward to today, however Zach is still trying to talk me into dressing up like a princess. I keep trying to convince him that I already am one... j/k, well, not really considering I am the only woman in this house :-)

Happy Halloween!

celebrating a birthday

Mark's parents came to visit for the weekend and we joyfully celebrated Mark's Mom's 60th, I mean 49th birthday :-)
It was nice to have them visit us again and help with some tasks around the house. Of course the boys enjoyed all the extra attention from Nana & Grandpa Leys too. Thanks for coming.

Its amazing how Cameron won't eat MANY, MANY things, but manages to polish off ice cream and cake without a problem.... ahhhh... my #2 is something else!!

so proud

We are about to start the process of finishing off our basement. I am SO excited about this project and can't wait for it to begin, despite the HUGE & pretty Waste Management (got to give a little plug for the business) dumpster that is now parked in our driveway and will be for the next month. Please overlook it the next time you come to our house.

Since we have had to clear out the basement in preparation, it meant that it was time to bring up Zach's bunk bed, as we will no longer have room to store it. So last night I casually said to Mark over dinner, "oh, lets quickly throw Z's bunk bed together" (especially since it had landed in the dining room floor for all 3 children to break their necks over). As it typically goes in the Leys' household with such events, a quick project took a bit longer than planned, a few swear words thrown around, and a speedy trip to the hardware store for a missing part.

Long story short, Zach absolutely LOVES his new bunk bed and thinks its the coolest thing, as he can't stop talking about it and has spent ALL day playing in his room! Which I, of course, think is the coolest thing! That and the fact that we got the bunk beds for free from a kind family in our neighborhood whose kids had outgrown them.

With Caution

It is with caution that I make this post, as across the blogging/Facebook world I know our names are being cursed.
We stayed with Brad & Bradi in Grand Rapids this past weekend.
We came, we conquered, and left major sickness in our wake.
The Kreiders threw a bonfire bash on Saturday night with all the old Calvin crew, which always makes for some good laughs and a late night.
Despite the aftermath of it all, we had a great weekend together.
Thanks again for having us and please invite us back some day (once you have forgotten this minor sickness incident), as we were once again reminded that we only wished we lived closer to you guys!

And if nothing else, at least I snapped a few cute pictures of our children.


The big kids at the park


Cameron & Sydney, obligatory bath and picture together

Syd & Cam completing their reading before bed time.

Cam's Mullet

Cameron is in the process of growing a serious mullet. Now the question is, whether to cut it or just let his beautiful blond locks just grow and grow and keep the look going?
What to do?

This is usually how his hair looks every time he wakes up from a nap or in the morning. No exaggeration.

sweating it out at a Pumpkin Farm

What a gorgeous weekend is all I can say! Although a little bit odd breaking out in a sweat while trying to find the perfect pumpkin.

While Mark stayed at home hauling concrete and laying our beautiful new pathway to the front door, I got the kids out of the way by going to a pumpkin patch on Saturday morning. We met up with our friends, Kris & Sara (and hubby, Bas) and their kids. The kids had great time playing together, feeding the barn animals, going down the slides, eating fresh yummy donuts, and riding on the train ride.

Zach attempting to pick out a pumpkin.
With so many choices for a 4 year old, it was hard to choose.


The boys taking a ride on the train


Seth, Max & Zach taking a ride in the school bus

Max & Zach

A new baby's debut

Trying to make the most of this beautiful Fall day, Sara & I, plus 5 kids, headed to the outdoor Outlet Mall this morning. Although I enjoy my Thursdays, as its my only day of the week that I don't have a scheduled activity, I am slowly realizing that both the kids and I do better with a scheduled event. I think I enjoy having 'somewhere' to go as much as the kids do. However, don't get me wrong, I enjoy shopping much more without 3 little ones in tow. As a trip to a mall with 3 kids = playing at the play area or rides & eating lunch. There is no shopping involved.


Max & Zach having some fun on the rides.









My friend, Sara, admiring her beautiful 3 week old baby, Elisabeth. It is with her consent that I post this picture, as she has yet to update her blog with some pictures of her newborn and says she isn't sure when she will be getting to that task. Elisabeth is an adorable little babe and is entitled to her debut in the blogging world! Welcome from all your admirers, Elisabeth Ruth!!

a weekend at home

Saturday night we had our annual cul-de-sac party with all of our neighbors. We grilled out, had a bonfire, and one of the Dads put on a firework display. Zach had a blast with his neighborhood friends and I even allowed him to stay at the party past 10pm! As I am usually such a stickler for bedtime, but oh well, I guess every once in a while I can bend the rules. However, we did pay the price on Sunday, as he was craaaabbyyyy.






Mark & our ever so kind neighbor, who works in the concrete business, were busy chopping away at concrete over the weekend. We are in the process of putting in a new pathway and stoop. The old path is demolished and removed, so hopefully this coming weekend the new path will go in.