Kicking off Halloween

So I have to say Halloween is not necessarily my favorite holiday... not sure why, I just don't get too excited for it. And coming up with outfits for the kids just seems like another chore - I still don't have them yet :( I have ideas but we still have to get out and put them together! But today I have to admit it was fun to see the kids get sooo excited to paint their pumpkins. We picked them out earlier this week at the store & Jack has been asking daily when he gets to paint them - today was the day! 

As soon as he got up from his nap we had to go 'set up' our work station. You can just see the anticipation and excitement coming out of him in this picture.

We had to be patient and wait for Lauren to wake up. And when she did she was just as excited! Maybe this holiday isn't so bad. 

the artist hard at work

After awhile I decided I would just let them paint away. They were being so good and having so much fun together I thought I'd go in and start supper... and I came back to this. I was informed by Jack that he and Lauren really liked the way it looks when they pour it on and use their hands. I'm a bit of a sucker when it comes to this sort of playing - I just love their innocence and exploration - though messy - I love it! 

I think Lauren is wondering if she's going to get in trouble... yes, these days she is usually getting in trouble!

hard at work.

I sure hope the 'washable' paint is washable - happy early Halloween!

A Friday morning note

What have we been up to for the past 3 weeks? Packing & moving & cleaning & unpacking & more cleaning & my children have been doing a lot of this...

They have been amazing with the transition to our new 'temporary' home & I am so so thankful! Not much of an update on the house situation - we could use some extra prayers for getting our home sold & for the woman trying to buy our home that she is able to get her financing in line so she and her boys can move in & it can finally be closed on. It's been taking a lot of patience for Curt & I but we know everything will work out like it's supposed to - we of course would just like it to work out soon! 

In the meantime the kiddos and I are working away this morning - in my new office - have I mentioned how excited I am to have an office? I know I have many many times!! But the kids are my #1 helpers and amazing. I am really supposed to be working now, so - Happy Friday! 

A day at the orchard

We got to spend this beautiful fall morning at Deardorf apple orchard with some great company: 

www.deardorfforchards.com The quaintness & friendliness of this little orchard makes it one of our favorite fall spots! This was the best pic I could get of Jack & Lauren. 

This is still one of my favorites from our trip last year!

LK is helping with the picking (mostly off the ground, but she was having a blast)

Jackson enjoyed eating them (notice the Team Colin shirt - this is his new favorite shirt - had to be worn!) 

we played on tractors & looked at some of the farm animals.

we even found a caterpillar and Jack found a new crush - Audrey's friend Molly.  He is showing off a little here to the girls that he can touch the caterpillar just like they can... this is the brave Jack right before he actually touches it, the minute he touched the caterpillar it was over and the braveness was gone - too cute!

 Happy Fall!

A morning in Linden Hills

The morning started off with a little Super Why! 

LK loves this show too - probably because her brother does.

this picture gives me visions of Lauren at the age of 16 - scary! 

Good thing we have 14 years to prepare ourselves.

Then it was story time at the whimsical Wild Rumpus in Linden Hills - so much fun. Wandering chickens and cats - caged chinchillas, parrots, lizards, spiders, rats - and a store filled with books? What could be more fun for a kid? They even did a story time for us!

I found LK in this little reading nook - too precious!

and our morning ended with a lunch date - Thanks for a fun morning Jack & Lauren! 

Sorry for the lack of 'feature' pictures today Jackson!

Sold...

I would never have guessed this little sign on top of our 'for sale' sign could stir up so many mixed feelings... excited, scared, sad, relieved, anxious - oh how the list could go on and on and on.  Every time I look out the front window and see the 'sold' sign a new emotion is stirred up - could it be the extra pregnancy hormones? I'm going to pull the preggers card and chalk this up to being pregnant. 

Now back to the hunt for a temporary place to live until we find our next home. 

Dear 6920 Newton, 

Oh how we have loved you and your little quaintness. We've piled in a couple babies & a dog but we feel like it's time to part ways. Please don't be mad as we strip you down over the next month, we really have loved you. I know another family looking for a new beginning will be joining you soon and they can't wait to call you home.

Love, The Tetzlaff's

One of those days...

Today is one of those, ahhh life is good days. I know every day is a good day, but honestly there are some days I have to remind myself to be grateful for everything I've been blessed with. But today has just been one of those beautifully simple days - waking up to a beautiful fall morning, grabbing a nice cup of coffee with a good friend and watching the kids play, having a surprise lunch date with another good friend, then two sleeping babies & I start downloading summer pictures from my phone - which is a clear reminder of how truly blessed I am. 

Here are some of my favorites from our summer:

playing at the mall one of our favorite places to go on rainy or cold days 

(one of mommy's favorites because there is Caribou & usually good company!)

wrestling with daddy

many trips to the zoo - here we are watching Sparky the Seal

lots of road trips

art days in the backyard

lots of reading time together for these two!

Jack is learning to ride his bicycle and is so so proud of himself!

 Can't you tell by that ginormous smile on his face?

We grilled and had many backyard picnics together

 Jackson loves his books and his (actually Lauren's, which he's claimed as his) 

Cabbage Patch doll 'Dana'

and they love each other (usually - they definitely have their moments, but don't we all?!)

What are you doing this weekend?

Come on out to Fall Into the Arts in Edina at Centennial Lakes. It is going to be a beautiful weekend in a beautiful setting - what better way to spend a Saturday or Sunday? I would love to see you! 

I'll be in booth #246 (south of the Centrum Building next to the lake) 

Hours are: Saturday 10-6 & Sunday 10-5 

http://www.fallintotheartsfestival.com/