Lions and tigers and kids, oh my!

Okay, our zoo doesn't have lions, but they did just receive 3 tigers! They seem to like people, too.

Pumpkin Patch

She loves her brother, really.

Helping Grandma with her pumpkin pie.

Which one of these characters turned 64 on Sunday?

We made it out to the Pumpkin Patch on Sunday. This time my folks were able to join us for their first visit to the patch. Gary's folks joined us last year for their very first trip. I wish they would have been able to join us this year.

Gary's dad, Al, is suffering from congestive heart failure. He will be going into hospice care tomorrow. It's a tough time right now. He's a sweetheart of a man and he's raised 3 great sons, too. I've been so impressed with the way Rod, Gary, and Brad have been their for their dad and mom this last week. Please keep Al in your thoughts and prayers.

South for the summer

Now that the weather is turning cold (51 degrees currently), I may just get back into this blogging business.

We decided to take advantage of Gary's birthday and Labor Day weekend by heading to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Gary and I hadn't been to the Black Hills since we were children, so it was fun for us to relive some childhood memories. Here are some photos from our trip.

Hair raising weekend

We took a trip to Devils Lake this past weekend. My folks couldn't seem to get over how much hair Leah has grown since the last time they saw her?

One!

Here are the little toddler's 1 year photos. She was much more interested in what was going on in the photo studio next to ours so these are, in a sense, action shots.

Chase whispered to me during this shot, "That's not how you spell Leah."

Smirking......

Smiling...

Not how you spell Leah...

Taking a break from continually walking out of the room....

Pooping? (Sorry, Leah, I saw Chase do this a lot as a toddler with a diaper change resulting shortly there after)...

My favorite...

Bear hug!

Sassy 6th

We celebrated our 6 year anniversary on the 27th.

This is why we "work"...

Susan to Gary: "Why do we have a dishwasher if you just put your dirty dishes on the counter above the empty dishwasher?"

Gary to Susan: "Why do we have a stove?"

Susan: "Ouch. Good one!"

Advocacy (and a 7.3!)

Chase had his 3 month A1C yesterday. 7.3! He's right where they want him.

Leah had a blood draw as well. She had her iron levels tested as well as a test to check for lead (our home was built in the 50's, so it was just a precautionary test). The poor little girl has inherited her dad's veins. They had to try 3 times to find a vein. The whole time she was screaming, "Done!!!". Chase, luckily, has inherited my veins and he is a total pro at the whole process. It doesn't get any easier for me, though - I want a cure!!!

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is sponsoring an advocacy competition called "Spread the Word." Please help us spread the word! It's quick and easy to become an advocate.

Extra Crispy

We spent the weekend in Iowa to helping Brianna celebrate her voyage into the teen years. It's hard to believe, but that little girl is now a teenager. Happy Birthday, Brianna! You will forever be my favorite niece.

It was Gary (and Leah's) first trip to Kathryn and John's house, too. John took us out on his boat and managed to get rid of our pesky farmer's tans. Unfortunately, Gary and I are now red instead of white (the kids are okay). Chase even shocked us by riding on the inter tube all by himself.

These kids grow up way too fast!

Creative kid

Chase took a pottery painting class last week at Creative Clay. It is a new store in town where go in, pick out a piece of pottery, paint it and then, in a week, you get a shinny work of art.

It is an addicting place. So far, Chase has painted me a coffee mug, my mom a plate, and my dad a bowl. Last week was his turn to create some things for himself.