Pre-Trick-or-Treating...

 Before trick-or-treating tonight, we were hosted by the Ireland family for a some pre-trick-or-treating fun. Aaron made his famous chili, we voted in a cornbread contest, and kids played a couple of Halloween-themed games. Thanks, Irelands!

Our Toy Story family...Woody, Jessie, Bo (as in Little Bo Peep), & Buzz Lightyear

Kensington, Reagan, Luke, Kate, Bailey, Raif

Ghost bowling...

Candy corn relay...

 

Pumpkin carving...

Today, we carved our first pumpkins as a family. 

The kids were so excited and loved getting their hands all slimy and gross. 

My favorite!

Finished product

Pa's Pumpkin Patch 2010...

Every year since Kate was born we have visited Pa's Pumpkin Patch. It started as a tradition with Rob and Marikka when the twins and Kate were 5 months old and we continued to meet up with them each year for pictures of the second cousins. We were joined by Curt, Brenna, and Brooklyn a couple of years later. Last year, we weren't able to make it but the Pa's group was joined by Andrew, Andrea, and Sydney. So 5 years ago we started with 3 babies and now there are 9 second cousins in the Ostermann clan (Jonah, Javan, Kate, Brooklyn, Luke, Sydney, Haley, Ansley, and Dylan). This year our photo shoot got totally rained out so we just met up for a fun dinner. Hopefully next year it'll all work out AND we'll be joined by two more second cousins! So get ready Jared & Amy and Kevin & Sarah! =)

We did finally make it to the pumpkin patch for a quick photo session with the Vander Molens this Tuesday, though. We just couldn't let another year pass with no pictures. Kate's costume this year is the result of my first sew-by-pattern project! Of course, I decided to make it the Saturday before our scheduled Pa's visit so my mom and I worked for 10 hours on Sunday to get the dress done and I spent a majority of Monday finishing the apron and bloomers. My dad constructed the staff and it was done by 8 pm Monday night and then we didn't even need it! Oh well, it was done and she has since worn it 3 different times (a birthday party, Pa's, church costume party), will wear it to another birthday party tomorrow night, and again on Halloween for trick-or-treating. So we are definitely getting what we worked for. Plus it really was fun!

Buzz Lightyear & Little Bo Peep 

Family picture

Running in the patch!

 

Cousins....

The boys...

The girls...

Wheels, Wings, and Rotors...

On Sunday, the kids and I went with Grammie and Pop Pop to the Wheels, Wings, and Rotors Expo at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base. We'd never been and had a lot of fun looking at all of the old cars and planes. Luke even got to sit in the gunner seat of a tank. We are so appreciative of the service provided and sacrifices made by all the men and women in every area of the military. It was great to be able to recognize and support them in this way. 

(Forgive the poor quality of the pictures as they were all taken on my phone.)

Meeting Dylan...

After we got home from Palm Springs last week, the kids and John finally got to meet Dylan. We'd stayed away since Kate had a little cough the week before but she was just dying to see her new cousin! Once we knew she wasn't contagious, we headed over as soon as we could. We just love the new baby boy in our family!

Kate was in heaven!

 The boys...

Uncle John and his first nephew...

Palm Desert...

Over Columbus Day weekend, we were able to get away for a couple of days of rest and relaxation in Palm Desert. We had a great time hanging out around the pool and just doing nothing. The weather was perfect and the kids had so much fun swimming!

Kate learned how to dive...

 

Silly Lukey...

Just some funny little things Luke has said today:

Getting dressed this morning. Luke: "I am not going to where sweatpants today. Absolutely not!"

In the car on the way to the store. Luke: "Mommy, when I'm big I'm going to buy you all different colors of make-up!" 

Kate: "Why is the T.V. so loud?" Luke: "That's just how God made it."

Luke goes to the dentist...

Today, Luke had his first dentist appointment! He was so excited to go and has been asking for over a week "Is the dentist boy going to check me out too?!" Once we were there, Luke requested that Kate go first and then was ready to jump up into the chair for his turn.

 

He was not at all nervous or scared but very serious and business-like during the whole procedure (with one little giggle during the cleaning).  Dr. Walton gave both kids a clean bill of oral health and praised them for doing such a good job. The dental assistant even commented on how mellow Luke was...ha! If only she knew. ;)

Great job, Lukey!!