Our 2018 soccer season just came to an end. 

Ellie was on the Pandas this year, and she really seemed to enjoy her season. Historically she hasn't been as excited about sports as her siblings, but maybe she's just a late bloomer because she really seems to love playing now. She definitely has a competitive streak.

We had such a great Halloween this year!

Joey officially turned 12 on Saturday! We started the morning with his favorite, Boston Cream donuts.

 My kids love traditions and one of their favorites is going to the Halloween Carnival at Emmanuel Faith church. We've gone every year since 2009.

Mary Poppins.

A cat.

A prisoner.

We got there nice and early

This little one got a LOT of attention for her costume. She was the only Mary Poppins and was a big hit.

Not only do the kids love our tradition of going to Emmanuel Faith's Halloween carnival, they also like to follow our usual routine...outside games first while it's still light.

(Brief stop for caramel apples)

And then inside to do all of the rest of the games.

And we always end with cotton candy!

I do have a love-hate relationship with the carnival. The kids wanted to trade (and admire) their candy after church. THIS is how much candy they already have and it's not even Halloween yet! Thankfully I got smart last year and donated a bunch of our candy to Operation Gratitude. That will definitely be happening again!

Joey turns 12 in a few days so we had his birthday party this past weekend. He invited five of his closest friends over. Two of the boys were a little late due to soccer games, so these four played video games while they waited. When all the boys got there, they played a Mafia-style game called Ultimate Werewolf. I've never heard such a loud game of Mafia or Ultimate Werewolf before.

The girls hit up the snack table, and joined the boys for Ultimate Werewolf.

Next on the agenda was the pool. I'm surprised we've never done the pool for Joey's birthday before since it's usually still pretty warm in October. On Saturday it was 83 degrees so it was perfect.

All six boys: Joey, Brayden, Matias, Joseph, Nate and Colton

On the way back from the pool, the boys got distracted by the tot lot. They had to fit in a game of Lava Monster.

Then it was time for the movie. Joey pick Mr. Bean's Holiday.

We paused briefly to sing Happy Birthday and eat creamy cookies, Joey's favorite.

The next morning Joey opened his presents from his party. His friends know him well! He got his favorite game, Exploding Kittens plus both of the expansion packs and lots of gift cards. A 12 year-old's dream!

On Monday we didn't have school due to parent-teacher conferences, and our friends, the Warners, invited us to the zoo.

We haven't had a zoo membership in YEARS, but kids are free in October and my friend had a "plus one" on her membership cards so I got in free as well. So great!

The kids all had the best time. 

They got to go to the zoo...

and hang out with their buddies all day.

Watching the "Wild About Animals" show.

The Skyfari was a big hit with all of the kids. I got to ride with the two little girls.

The tiger came right up to the glass! He was on the prowl.

This was the first time I had been to the zoo when I didn't have to leave early for nap time so we didn't leave until 3:30.

Apparently everyone still needed a nap! 

Andy wanted to do date nights with the kids so that we could hear how things are going at school for them. Usually we do one date night at a time, but since Andy's parents are in town we decided to do two in one night. The plan was that Ellie could hang out with Grandma and Papa J and then the next night it would be her turn. Well, hanging out with the grandparents turned into Ellie getting her own date night with Papa J.