October 2015

This month has been a busy one for sure, but not the type of one that really fills up this blog.  I’ve been working a lot in the evenings and weekends, along with a week-long trip to Minnesota in the middle of the month.  Needless to say, our family is overdue for just a “normal” week, which probably won’t happen until after Christmas. 

During the middle of October, I was off to Minnesota for my 5^th time since mid-July.  There are plans for trips once per month in November, December and January.  The domestic travel is so much easier to me than the international travel.  I leave on Monday morning and am back by Friday for dinner with the family.  Not ideal for our family, but it works and Deb and the girls have dealt with these trips pretty well. 

Halloween was a lot of fun this year.  Allison was Elsa and Sarah was Anna from Frozen.  Anna made the costumes again this year and they were great.  It was fun to watch Allison walk into school and see 3 other Elsa’s and the other girls were pointing out how great Allison’s costume was in comparison to theirs!  We hosted the neighborhood pizza party in our cul-de-sac and it sure is great to meet more and more people each year.  The weather was much better this year, so the girls really enjoyed trick or treating with their friends, Henry and George.  We didn’t hit up every house, but we did go all around the block for the first time!  Next year should be really great because Sarah will possibly be able to keep up with Allison and we may not even need the wagon, except to carry the beer!  Randy and Anna came on Halloween and enjoyed hanging with some of the neighbors they have met over the years.  Mom, Beth, Matt, Mark, Frank and Jan also came over to see the girls and all brought treats for the girls to enjoy!

Sarah’s Things of the Month

            Sarah has started waking up even earlier with the daylight savings time change.  She can be up as early as 5:15AM.  This can be a real drag on us, but we try to remember that Allison went through these phases and it usually passes after a few months.   Just makes is hard to get ready for work with a tired toddler hanging around you!  We do need to remember that she is only 2 and a half, since we typically talk to her and treat her like she and Allison are the same age.  Sarah had her first real injury and had to make a trip into Deb’s clinic.  Allison tried to pull her up on the bed and it hurt Sarah’s elbow.  She was a great patient and wore her splint for a few days until her elbow felt better.

Allison’s Things of the Month

            Allison really enjoys playing “school,” “family,” and “doctor visit.”  Her imagination is pretty good where she will really have an entire conversation or game going on by herself.  And if Sarah is invited, Sarah needs to make sure she plays by the rules Allison has established for the game! 

A few more items from this month:

• We went out to dinner with the Andersons early in the month to a new BBQ place.   The bourbon selection was unbelievable, so Jeremy and I enjoyed a few drinks. 
• We had to replace our water heater this month, which means the only appliance we haven’t had to change so far is our water softener and the fridge in our basement. 
• For the 8^th year in a row, we walked in the “Light the Night” fundraiser for LLS.  We do this in memory of my dad and once again we had great weather and company. 
• Deb and I went on a date night to Harry & Izzy’s steakhouse.  We enjoyed running into Mo and Mike Obenchain and Brent and Tracie Fisher
• I had a guy’s night with Naab and Norris at Sahm’s.  I enjoyed some beers with them and catching up on what has been going on over the last few months. 
• Deb and I went to a fundraiser at Woodland Bowl.  After warming up a game, I bowled a 204 during the 2^nd game!
• I went to a Colts game with Ferrand and the Steffey’s.  It was great to catch up with these guys, but man, the game sure wasn’t worth it!
• We started getting quotes to remodel our mudroom, laundry room and hallway area toward the back entrance to our house.  We are wanting some cubbies for our coats and shoes, along with some new flooring in our laundry room and a new door coming in from the garage. 
• We took the girls to the zoo and of course enjoyed a ride on the carousel.