The Pool Family: October 2007

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

I don't think we ever did anything for Halloween before last year. When we moved into this neighborhood last year we noticed everyone out on the streets 'trick or treating' so we raided the costume box and went out, too. This year Derek is out of town so we raided the costumes again and headed out. It was about 70 degrees and a beautiful night for a walk. It actually ends up being a way we meet a lot of neighbors and some of the older folks 'ooh and ahhh' over the kids. Here are some pictures from tonight. Luke was by far my favorite in his little Bumble Bee get up. None of the pictures did him justice, his chubby cheeks were sooo cute in that soft fluffly thing.

While Derek Is Gone

Derek is gone three nights this week so each of the older three kids get a chance to sleep in our room while he is gone. Leah was first, then Jack, tonight is Anna. Both Leah and Luke were put to sleep on Derek's side of the bed but when I got back there to go to sleep both of them had managed to scoot over to my side instead. I think Anna can manage to stay in her spot tonight. This is Leah the other night when I went back to bed. Sadly, I don't know what that white stuff is on her face... I wonder what she got into when I wasn't looking!

Reading

These are a couple of Anna last week during some reading time for her. She isn't the natural reader that Jack seems to be, but she's really taking to it. She picks up books to read for fun on her own-- something we were hoping she would end up doing! It has been a lot of fun to watch her learn and grow in the last years and I'm looking forward to the next years with all of them.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

The Party

We had a bigger party for Anna's 6th year than we'll normally have. We wanted to do one for her fifth year but had just moved to AZ and didn't have enough friends nearby. This year was wonderful and most of her wonderful friends were able to come. They played, played musical chairs, had lunch, opened gifts, broke the pinata and of course had the cake and ice cream. It was wonderful!

Luke's favorite gift... the box!

Getting a little blowing help from Micah. He confessed later that he was actually only able to blow on her hair... but he tried!

It was hard to see what was going on with all the interested kids!

Birthday Breakfast

We went out for the traditional Birthday Breakfast on Saturday, the day of Anna's party. We went to the downtown Chandler area again, she requested the same place as last year and wanted to dress up again. Downtown Chandler is like 'Old Town' Chandler. Not a big area but their attempt to revive the district. We walked around a little afterwards to check out the row of fountains and monuments that runs in front of the public buildings there. It was a wonderfully cool morning... we even had to whip out the long sleeves!

Playing Ball

The older kids have been playing more baseball now that the weather is cooling down. Jack is really good at hitting, it seems, and gets a number of 'home runs' into the pool or on the roof. Luke surprises me by how much he seems to play ball, too. He loves to pick up the bat and ball and go out and hit it around... more like golf than baseball, but the best he can do. I guess it is the influence of older siblings. I don't remember Jack starting that early!

Monday, October 15, 2007

Anna's Birthday Part 1

Anna turned 6 yesterday and we celebrated in a few ways but are having her birthday party with friends on Saturday of this coming week. The day before her birthday, Grandma Hileski came down to take her on an outing like she's done with the others. Anna chose the mini-train ride at a nearby park and then ice-cream afterwards. On her birthday she was excited to take little cupcakes to church for her Sunday School class and that evening she opened presents from her siblings and parents. She got a purse (Leah's choice), a sword (Jack's choice) and velvet coloring poster of Noah's Ark (Luke's choice... really picked by Jack) and from us she got a big horse. She's loving them all!

Diamondbacks

Derek is a fan of the Arizona Diamondbacks now that we are long-time AZ residents... almost a year and a half now. He tries to get the kids as into it as he can. I suspect it is to give him a reason to check/watch the game ('Jack wants to know the score' kind of thing.). When they started the playoffs the other week we set up a concession stand for the kids to get their meal that night and then watch the game. They all had money and could pick what they wanted to 'buy' for dinner based on the cost. I made a few items essential, but they got to pick the rest. This is our selection with the girls making their purchases. I think this will be the only one we do this year... seems the Dbacks are just about done!

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

The Schut Family Vacation 2007

We just got back from a week of fall in Wisconsin with my family. I posted a bunch of pictures mostly to share with them but feel free to look at them all. There are 10 adults and 13 children, 10 of which are 5 years old and younger... yikes! It wasn't boring and we rarely wondered what we should do next :). The weather was very pleasant and it was wonderful to experience some cool fall Wisconsin weather again. The pictures posted below are in backwards order, from the last days we were there to the first days we were there.

Dad and Mom surprised us all with tickets to the Packer game! No, not Lambeau... we drove up to Minneapolis to the HHH Metrodome. It was a long day with an early morning and long, stormy drive home but it was very memorable since we got to see Favre's record-breaking #421 touchdown pass in person. During this all, Mom stayed home with the kids (all but Sam, who came along with us) so we could go to the game. She had some help from her friend, Sally, thankfully! I don't know who was more tired, us after the 20-21 hour day or Mom after being home with a dozen kids all day.

We also went to Edward's Apple Orchard (a favorite), had a campfire, went to a Children's Museum, had Taco Pizza and celebrated some birthdays, ate at Culver's, explored the woods, played baseball and many other things. The kids had a wonderful time together in a great place to be a kid! Thanks, Dad and Mom, for all you did to make it possible for us to get together. Julie, are you ready for the next one? Better start planning!

Derek at the game.

'The Man of The Hour'

After the victory.

More Schut Family Vacation

Our family.

Grandpa and Grandma with their Baker's Dozen. The Waymeyer's are in the brown, Pools are in the red and Drays are in the green. Johnsons are in the tan.... oh, wait, no Baby Johnsons this time. Addie couldn't make it!

From the Packer Game... those small people down front are Derek, Matt, Dad, Julie, Cher, Kenny and Kathy. Background is the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

At our seats. We were in the red zone and had a pretty good view. Sam was such a great sport!

Schut Family Vacation - Campfire

One evening Dad made a fire for us so we could make the real s'mores, and have pie filling sandwiches and just other fun. Julie brought glow necklaces for the kids and we sang a few songs after it got dark before we went in to bed. A very Wisconsin experience... lots of fun! L to R, Jess, Caleb, Emilie, Bekah, Courtney and Leah.