Fall Break

Every Fall in Minnesota the schools schedule a Fall break, called MEA, when the teachers attend a conference for educators and the students get two days off.  It's never really mattered to us much until this year, when we actually have a student in school!  The timing couldn't have been more perfect, with Trav's soccer season having just ended and a busy time at Church wrapping up too, we were in desperate need of some family time.  Family time away from everything here.  Thankfully a trip to my parents' house is a great solution and a quick getaway! 

We took Ava out of school a little early and kicked off our break on a Wednesday, arriving just in time to experience a gorgeous Iowa Fall! 

We left town on a weekend when leaves were at their peak and the color from Minnesota to Iowa was simply stunning.  

My parents have huge trees in their yard and every year they do not disappoint when their leaves change! 

All of these were from their yard, so gorgeous, right? 

The boys were happy to be enjoying a slow morning in their jammies...

...and Ava was happy too, although I have NO idea what she was wearing here!  Ha ha! 

Now when we head South we have a special treat waiting for us in addition to my parents and Jennie and Dave.  My nephew Sawyer brings a new level of excitement!  And as he and Walker grow up, this will be even more fun!  For now, they are just a couple of cousins hanging out in their car seats! 

Love these little faces and their respective lovey blankies! 

I think Sawyer looks like his Daddy Dave and Walker looks like his Aunt Jennie here! 

Sawyer is always stunned when our circus comes to his town! 

But he's very loved!

We celebrated Carter's 4th birthday while we were there and one of my Dad's golf girls made another birthday cake for us that was adorable! 

Carter was thrilled! 

We loved extending our celebration for another week! 

Cars, planes, trucks...all his favorite things! 

Miss Ava, my budding artist, was super creative while Carter was opening presents and she made, colored and constructed her own fake present to open too, ha!  Pretty impressive we thought! 

Lucky for her, Grammy had a real one for her too.  

Carter jumped right in and started playing with his new toys! 

Including this adorable football uniform which you already saw in the Halloween pics! 

Meanwhile the babies took it all in and got ready for their little photoshoot! 

Jennie and I spotted these while we were shopping and we could not resist! 

This makes me laugh!  Just a couple of fresh pumpkins!

We had such a fun few days doing a whole lot of nothing!  It was gorgeous weather and we enjoyed lots of laughing and playing and family.  So grateful for the time away! 

Halloween 2014

Happy Halloween from the Armstrong 3! 

 We had such a fun day with our little pumpkins and of course I've got a million pictures to share! 

I'll spare you a lot of words, they mostly speak for themselves.  

 We took the easy way out this year with the pumpkins.  Neither of us could get excited or find the energy to carve them so I talked the kids into painted pumpkins instead! Still some work, but way easier than carving.  We missed roasting pumpkin seeds, but we got over it in about 5 minutes :) 

 Sweetness x 3! 

And now, for the big costume reveal...

We were inspired this year by a birthday gift Carter received from my parents...

Is he not the cutest football player you've ever seen??  

I don't care if you like the Hawkeyes or not, he is too much!!

Every great football player needs a cheerleader, right??

I will say the same about Miss Ava, she is the cutest!!  

Ever!

GO HAWKS!!!

 Although we do have an Iowa jersey for this little peanut, we went the sentimental route for Walker's first Halloween and put him in the same costume his sister and brother wore when they were babies too! 

 The cutest little caterpillar! 

 Happy Halloween from these three cuties! 

 And unprompted kiss attack from these two, yes, Walker is under that pile! 

 This little brother is seriously adored.  

 We've now reached the age of "lets make a crazy face" photography! 

 These two love it.  Walker remains unaware! 

 We could not love them more! 

 Goofy runs in the family!  

Except for Walker.  He hasn't joined the crazy party yet :) 

 As we've been done for several years, we spent the night at my cousin's house, making the rounds in their neighborhood.

 We attempted the quest for a family photo...

 With 5 of us now, it's become even more of an adventure to get everyone looking AND smiling at the same time.  I'm going to say it's nearly impossible now!  But I don't give up easily :) 

 Touchdown dances from the Hawkeye crew! 

 You can't really tell very well because we live in Minnesota and it's freezing on Halloween here, but Travis was sporting a ref's uniform too! 

 I didn't think to get a picture of the two of us, mostly because I was so exhausted from getting everyone ready all day, but Rhonda and I enjoyed the evening with some cider, her famous pumpkin cookies and a fire, while we passed out candy to trick or treaters. 

Grace stayed inside with Walker while he napped the night away...

And these three hit the streets with Brian to fill those buckets with candy!  

It was a sweet and simple Halloween and we had a great time.  These are precious days of making memories and adding Walker to the mix was the best TREAT of all!  

And just for fun, here are Ava and Carter in the early days as the original caterpillars! 

 Ava was 6 months old here. 

She was the female version with her hair bow and leggings! 

This is Ava but wow does she look like Walker to me! 

 And this is Carter at only 3-ish weeks old! 

 Look at all that dark hair! 

He was a BIG baby!  He is almost as long as that costume at only 3 weeks!  Walker is about the same length today at 4 months!  

What fun memories for us to treasure and pictures to look back on and enjoy!  

It was a great Halloween for the Armstrongs and we are ALL enjoying the candy today!!