Getting ready for Halloween!

Every month Bishop is sent home with a monthly assignment for class. October's assignment was to make a literary pumpkin! He had to choose a character in a book and decorate a pumpkin like that character. He chose the troll in The Three Billy Goats and he had fun decorating the pumpkin! I am so thankful to have a talented husband who can help with the artistic assignments! ;) 

One night we went on an evening Halloween walk around the neighborhood to look at Halloween decorations. Bishop brought his clip board and "check list" and checked off every time we saw some decorations!

We signed Bishop and Nora up for soccer a week late--so they missed the first night.....and there weren't enough kids for both classes, so they combined classes, so they got to play together! They got really excited when they were picked to be on the same team!

On Saturday there was a Halloween Even at 50th and France! The kids dressed up (Olaf and a dinosaur) and went trick or treating at all the stores at 50th and France. They had a blast and got a ton of candy (the week BEFORE Halloween)! :)

We met up with Bishop's buddy, Cal and his sister Avery so the kids had a blast running around together and getting candy!

Nora, Bishop and Cal

Best Buds!

Before touring the firetruck!

After the Halloween event Cal and Avery came over for a playdate! The 4 kids had so much fun together! Avery is so sweet to Nora and Nora ADORES her (Bishop does too)! ;)

2 peas in a pod

The girls playing school

STANDING on the tire swing of course!

They look like teenagers at their own table!

On Sunday evening we carved pumpkins! Again, I'm so thankful for my husband's artistic abilities! The kids had so much fun!

Como Zoo/Fall in MN

We headed over to the Como Zoo on Saturday, which was a lot of fun! We usually go to the Minnesota Zoo since we've had a membership there, so it was fun to check Como out this time. Being the weather is cooling down a number of the animals were inside/not available to see, which was kind of a bummer, but we still saw a number of animals.

After checking out the zoo we went to the pavilion area and ate lunch at Como Dockside. We ran around outside afterwards and Bishop climbed a tree. Luke had a guys night so he left home around 3 in the afternoon. The kids and I went to Lynnhurst park, the library and picked up Mikkel Donald's for dinner. 

My cute gorilla

This one looks like he's not so happy!

Nora on the merry go round!

We have had such a beautiful fall! I love this tree!

Bishop in the tree!

Bishop climbing the tree

Playing store at the library

 Bishop's assignment for October was to create a literary pumpkin. He had to choose a character from a book and paint/create the character on his pumpkin....then bring it in to school along with the book. He chose the troll from The Three Billy Goats Gruff! He had a little help stapling from dad, but he did most of the work!

Sales Meeting in Colorado Springs

After a fun "stay at home day" with Nora I headed off to Colorado Springs for a Sales meeting. I left Tuesday morning and got back on Friday night. I missed the kids and Luke a lot--but all went well for all of us while I was away and I got to enjoy a little glimpse of the beautiful mountains I love so much!

I stayed in that building--not a bad view for a work meeting!

The kids each got their flu mist! I guess Nora asked for the shot too! ;)

On Wednesday night we went to Garden of the Gods and then had an awards ceremony at a beautiful restaurant within the Garden of the Gods.

Paul, me, Alli and Kathy--part of our team!

It was MEA so Bishop didn't have school Wed, Thurs or Fri. He went to Mpls Kids on Wed and Thurs and they went to Severs Corn Maze on Thursday. He was having a great week! On Friday Luke took the day off and Bishop was spoiled! They started their day at Patisserie 46 getting treats.....got candy at the hardware store, went to the zoo, stopped at a new park and finished their day swimming at the Y! My flight didn't get home until 7pm Friday night and I couldn't get home fast enough!

SO happy to be at the zoo with dad!

His favorite part--playing at the new park!

He looks so much older to me!

And of course--a treat!

Getting ready for Mom to come home!!

I was tackled the minute I got in the door and was showered with all kinds of hugs and love from Bishop and Nora! It's the best part about leaving on work trips.......coming home!

Birthday Parties/Fishing/One on one time with Nora!

This past weekend both Nora and Bishop had birthday parties to go to, which was fun for everyone!  Nora had Aisling's birthday party at Pump It Up on Saturday morning. Unfortunately Nora started not feeling well while we were there and she had a tough time. She had a little melt down and I was afraid she was getting sick. She asked to leave--so we took some cake and ate in the car. I think she was just hungry--after eating her cake she wanted to go back in! It's always fun to see the kids with their friends.

While Nora was at the birthday party Bishop went fishing with Luke. He LOVES fishing and caught 2 fish! Soon it was his turn for a bday party--this was his friend Kindergarten friend's bday party (Graham). He went to Chuckie Cheese for the first time....and it was our first official drop off birthday party. He seemed a little unsure about the drop off part--until we got there and he saw his friends. He was running around and hardly had time to say good bye! Needless to say he had a great time!

That evening Claire came to watch the kids and Luke and I went out to dinner. Claire is having hip surgery in a couple of weeks so we wanted to use her before she's laid up for awhile. Luke and I went to Hola Arepa, which was very good.

We picked out some pumpkins after church on Sunday....had t-ball and carved one pumpkin at our neighbors that night. The weather has been so nice--we're having a great fall!

Nora didn't have school on Monday--so I took the day off and we went to the zoo, out to lunch and did a little shopping! I love my one on one time with the kids and we had a great time together!

Nora with her Kindercare friends at Aisling's birthday party at Pump it Up!

The proud fisherman

The pumpkin patch at church (Nora's in the middle and her friend Elin is on the left)

Bishop and Ari running around the pumpkin patch together!

Carving the first pumpkin of the year!

At the zoo with my girl!

She picked the lollipop as her treat! Yummy!

Twin Cities 10 miler

On Sunday Luke and I ran the Twin Cities 10 miler. We trained all summer and felt ready for the race on Sunday morning. The 10 miler starts at 7am, so it was an early morning and it was a little cool. It was 43 at the start, but perfect running weather....once we got warmed up and going!

Luke's parents came to stay with the kids and his dad graciously offered to bring us to the starting line. We both had goals of where we wanted to finish and we both surpassed our goals! It was a fun and perfect day to run! I think I was most excited about the fact that I cut 13 minutes off my time from 8 years ago! We enjoyed a celebratory beer at the beer tent at the finish line.....grabbed a cab back to Edina for brunch and were home by 11:30 to spend the rest of the day with the kids!  Luke's official time was 1:14:10 and mine was 1:24:30. The best part was feeling good and enjoying the race! 

At the starting line....6:30am!

We did it!

Enjoying our celebratory beer!

Quilt of Valor ceremony for Gpa Ray

On Saturday Grandpa Ray was awarded a quilt of valor for his service in WWII. There was a ceremony at the Richfield Legion for him and 9 other Vets. Most of the Bishop family was able to make it and celebrate with him. My Uncle Jim came into town (first time I've seen him in 15 years) and since the ceremony got pushed up from 3pm to 10am he missed the ceremony, but we were all able to see him at our house for dessert in the afternoon. It was SO great seeing him....he hasn't changed a bit! He's just as I remember him from a little girl!

Each of the Vets had someone say a few words about them. Since my dad is a twin, both he and my uncle Bob said some nice words about Gpa Ray's time in the service! After the ceremony, we took a few pictures, had lunch at the Legion and went back to our house for dessert. Shelly and Ryan had a weekend planned in Chicago for this weekend long before they knew of the quilt presentation, so they weren't able to make it. My parents were watching Madelyn and Jack, so it was fun to see them for the day!

Nora, Bishop and Madelyn coloring before the ceremony

Sweet sweet Madelyn

Jack was pretty attached to Nana! :)

The Man of the day!

Bob Bishop Family

Barry Bishop Family (minus Shelly and Ryan)

The girls eating at their own table

The 3 brothers and their dad

The kids adore Tim and he's so good to them! Thanks, Uncle Tim!

High Fives from Jack!

She got herself ready to play outside! :)