Stop Horsing Around

I have to share some new additions to my classroom. In the past few weeks my students have been creating away at a new project that I started just this year. It is based on the Deborah Butterfield sculpture that is now a permanent resident on Purdues campus in front of PAO hall (the art and design building). The title of the piece is Silver Bow. I think I should probably mention that Butterfield is one of my fav artists! Her work is absolutely beautiful - her use of natural elements is amazing! Here are a couple of examples of her work (the first is Silver Bow), followed by some student work. Enjoy!

My 6th graders are amazing aren't they!

Our Boo-tiful Kids!

Aren't Pebbles and Bam Bam cute?

Halloween weekend was great fun for our little family! We spent Saturday night at our church Trunk or Treat. Grandma and Papa Asay passed out candy with the help of this cute little ol' lady (a.k.a. Great Papa) Avery was not fooled for a minute - she looked up at him and in a questioning voice said "Great Papa?" Halloween night we decided to hit the neighborhood and made it around our circle of houses. They had so much fun "knock, knock knocking" on the doors and after every house said "thank you!". What polite little kids we have! Is that really you Great Papa?

All the Lafayette Asay kids after a night of trunk or treating!

My little diva!

Bam Bam looks in need of some pre-trick or treat candy to boost his energy levels!

A race to the next house! Avery won every time!

Knock, knock, knock!

Morgan and I had such a blast with the kids for their first memorable Halloween. Morgan made both of their costumes - what a talented man he is! The best part was seeing the effect of the one piece of candy the kids had when we got home. Boy were they squirrely! They ran circles around us for about 20 minutes until they decided they had had enough. Then....they both crashed!

The Pumpkin Patch

Just last weekend we visited a local pumpkin patch. We were able to take a hayride out to the patch to each pick our own pumpkin. The kids were so cute as they hunted for pumpkins with daddy! When we got back Avery and Wyatt got to take a pony ride. Wyatt was so upset that he had to wait to take his turn. Two rides went before us and each time their was a pony without a rider. He got so upset that no one was riding it! They also had a cute little petting zoo with sheep, llama, chickens, a pony, pigs, and adorable puppies. We had such a great time and can't wait to go back next fall.

An Apple A Day

Recently we visited my parents (Grandma and Papa K) in Illinois. A family tradition that we have had for some time now is to visit Curtis Orchard - an apple orchard, pumpkin patch, and fall fun fest for kids! They have a cute play area that includes play houses, swings, farm animals, a train/hayride, and pony rides. We visited the play area first where the kids were each able to ride a pony. The first time we tried a pony ride was at the State Fair - Wyatt loved it and Avery wanted nothing to do with it. Boy did her mind change from then until now. She absolutely loved the pony ride! She was so cute as she patted the pony, told him hi, and gave him some love by laying her head along his mane and neck while riding. She was so excited about riding the pony. I'm not sure if she was more excited to be riding or if I was more excited that she finally liked it. I am a closet horse lover and was somehow hoping it would rub off on at least one of my children. I have hope! While at the orchard we also visited the pumpkin patch. It was great fun taking the kids out in the wagon to see the pumpkins.

We also were able to help Grandma and Papa K pick apples from their apple tree. Over time we have found that Wyatt LOVES apples. His love of apples first started at Grandma and Papa's house as they always have them in their basket on the table. Wyatt and Avery thought it was great fun to be putting apples in the wagon, but Wyatt was more interested in taking bites out of as many apples as possible. I don't think he went very long without an apple in his hand.

Also on this trip I french braided Avery's hair for the first time. It was quite an accomplishment since it has been years since I have braided hair and because Avery actually sat still for me to fix her hair! Too cute!

I hope you enjoy my post - you should since I haven't posted since July! I haven't forgotten about my little blog. I have just been overwhelmed with life lately. I hope to again keep up with my posts so you can see my wonderful children and keep up with our family. Enjoy!

A Summer Treat

What's summer without the juice of a watermelon running down your chin. In Avery and Wyatt's case - down your belly and into the front of your diaper! Here are some "sweet" pictures of one of Morgan, Avery, and Wyatt's favorite summer pasttimes.

Pitter Patter

One of my favorite sounds of this summer has been the pitter patter of Avery and Wyatt's feet. It is such a fun sound as they pitter and patter around and around our house. We have an ideal layout which allows them to run around the central hub of the stairs through the living room, dining room, kitchen and family room. They will run fast, then the pitter patter stops and you wonder what's going on in the other room out of sight, then their will be giggles and more pitter patter as they round the corner with big smiles. More often than not the pitter patter stops and you hear nothing for quite some time. At that point I swiftly head to the other room to find out what's going on. Among other things, I have found Wyatt climbing the dining room chairs making his way to the table; Avery and or Wyatt climbing in and out of the empty desk cabinet that Morgan has been building (it's been sitting in our living room just waiting for me to paint it and has become quite the play toy); and individually or as a team playing in the kitties room (yes, in the litter or food - yuk!). The pitter patter is an especially fun sound when I decide to chase them in my flip flops - Avery especially loves for me to chase her and boy does she giggle when she hears the fast and loud flip flop of my feet. I guess it's my adult pitter patter!

Here's to the pitter patter of little feet.

A New Asay Family Tradition

On June 19th we held our second annual Asay Family reunion. Among the festivities were pool time, Wii games, food, and of course fireworks! It was great to see all of the cousins and siblings playing together. I had a great time, but felt more like I was chasing my little ones around more than I was socializing with my siblings about the fun new happenings in their lives. I hope they will forgive me!

Morgan was priviliged to take each families photograph for a wall for Colette and Carlos in the their living room. The pictures turned out great for an amateur, but how could they not with such beautiful families to work with! Here are some candids from our "photo shoot".

Thanks Asay's for an awesome day!