4 is More: Massively Random Update

It's been a while since I have done a "family" blog post, so here is an attempt to catch up in a random, massive way.

Annika's 5th class has been doing Starbase, and had a field trip that went right next door to my building at work. Thanks to her awesome teacher, Mrs. Holden, for inviting me to come watch!

Will and I went to see An Evening with Garrison Keillor at McCain. It was definitely above average.

The kids at Red Ribbon/Anti-Bullying Week at school. Pajama Day was in honoring of Dreaming Away Drugs (and Bullying).

And Sunglasses, because Their Future Are Too Bright for Drugs.

We got our directory picture back at church.

Annika was very proud to meet her goal of finishing her homemade dolphin, Hope, which sewed during our school's after-school program. You can also see Photo Bomb Daniel, whose shirt is on backwards - this was also part of Red Ribbon Week, to show that the kids were turning their backs on drugs.

Will and I also went to see Anything Goes at McCain and WE LOVED IT. Superb music and dancing and the rare musical that does not make you want to cry with despair in the second act.

Will and I taught 5th and 6th grade Sunday School to a group of all 5th grade girls, and the topic was What Makes You Angry? This is the same group that has bounded over the annoying nature of little brothers in the past.

Cherub Choir. Utterly adorable.

Tweens aren't too old to climb trees.

4-H Achievement Award. Annika and her friend Emma each earned the Bronze Award this year, and Will had the fun honor of getting to announce all of the awards for our club.

Election Day. After a very thought-provoking discussion the night before, Daniel reported that in the kids' mock vote, he voted for the governor candidate who "looked the happiest," and Annika went for the candidate "who was the youngest, because younger people would do a better job." We are proud parents.

Swim lessons. The kids wrapped up this week and each made great progress. Annika really improved her technique in front crawl, backstroke, and breaststroke, and Daniel was much more comfortable in the water and went off the diving board (with a life jacket) on the last day.

Oh, look what we found, from our church that we last attended in June 2010.

Will and I went out to Bourbon and Baker to celebrate good news on the progression of my tenure file.

Of course we ate the Waffle Date. You can't go to Bourbon and Baker without the Waffle Date.

The time change means we see all kinds of beautiful sunsets when we pick the kids up from school.

Fondue Night with the Sanders family - for the adults, anyway. The kids were thrilled to play with each other.

After the event, the Sanders kids came up for a sleepover. This had the distinct honor of being Bryn's first ever sleepover, and she and Daniel had an awesome time together.

We went to the Buttons and Bows craft show for the first time ever, which was held at Manhattan Catholic School. Annika ran into her friend Alexis from school, who was exhibiting her own booth with her mom.

Oh, and lots of homemade apple pie for sale. Divine.

Annika's 5th grade picture retakes came back. I absolutely love them.

Lots of yard work last weekend while the weather was still cooperating.

Annika was thrilled to join Will on the roof briefly while he worked on cleaning out the gutters.

As a reward for all of the lawn work, the family went to Straight Upp to paint pottery.

The irony is thick.

We tried out the Mennonite (German) meal for the first time. Three out of four family members were a fan.

We kicked off the K-State men's basketball season - and enjoyed the fact that our whole family has season tickets for the first time.

Daniel ran into two friends from his class, Grace and Collin.

Fall Woodsy with church friends at our great friend Heather's parents' awesome place. I think that Google Plus automatically put some kind of filter on the picture below. It was gorgeous.

Kids' Cabin in the woods.

Tweens aren't too old to swing, either.

World's Most Awesome Fire Pit for hot dogs and s'mores.

S'More Selfie with our favorite girl.

Another trip to Straight Upp to paint pottery, this time with "book club." No wonder the workers have referred to us as regulars....

My snowmen, who are supposed to be opposing KU and K-State salt/pepper shakers.

Daniel was super excited that he saved his money to purchase this Star Wars' Lego set. He might be just a tad obsessed.

Radina's Selfie, complete with chocolate milk and peanut butter bars.

Yesterday, I headed to Chicago for a meeting. Will took Annika and her friends Ella and Emma to the basketball game.

I arrived in Chicago late last night - view from my hotel room.

Daniel had a sleepover with our super brave and thoughtful friends, the Casebeers, house. I stole this picture that Kim texted this morning of the boys attempting to sled in 0.25 inches of snow. "A" for effort.

Snow in the Little Apple.

Daniel with his other great friend Collin - thank you, Angela, for texting this picture! She reported that the boys were busy discussing the deep thought of snowfall in autumn.