Smith's Chili Fest

Saturday we went to the Smith's Chili Fest. 11 people brought pots of chili and we had to vote on our favorite pot. I took dessert since I have never made a pot of chili in my life :o). Chili is one of Sam's favorite foods... we had a great time tasting all the chili.

The Smith's (Ohio State Coach, Ref, Football play and cheerleader... too CUTE)

The "Swine Flu and her doctor"

(Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Dale)

*Good thing it was just a costume :O)

Kora Lily
All the costumes at the Chili Fest

The kids got to walk the block in Wooster

for Halloween trick or treat night...

The Winner of the Chili Pot Contest

The kids got to decorate cupcakes when they got back.

We had a great time at the Smith's Chili Fest....

Already looking forward to next year :o)

Hayride....

Thursday was our Steiner Road "Hayride". I bought this costume last year before I even knew what I was having. So Kora Lily got to be a little Bear.

Daddy & Kora Lily
Bottom Row: (Left) Ryder (Army Man), Emma (Care Bear), Resse (Dora)
Top Row (Left): Kora Lily (Bear), Molly (Purple Crayon), Megan (Red Crayon), Tori (Doctor), Cooper (Yellow Crayon), Lizzie (Bride), Maddie (Orange Crayon), Eli (Blue Crayon), Adam (Green Crayon), Tagen (Army Man)
Kora Lily and Trace (Two little bears)
Another picture of Kora Lily & Trace

Kora Lily, Trace (Bear) and Ryder (Army Man)

Random Florida Pictures.....

The kids couldn't get enough of the water...

Eli, Scarlett, Cooper & Kora taking a bath.

Kora Lily "tubby time"
Sleeping Willow
Eli playing Doctor

The kids were playing Doctor...

or I should say... "Eli was having a baby"

I built them a house under the kitchen table out of blankets so that they could take there new baby home.

Getting ready to go to the pool.

** Notice.. the NETS are still the HOT TOY

Kora Lily at the pool

Kora Lily & Mommy at the Pool

Cooper trying out the steps.

Funny kid sayings of the week:

*** Eli: are we there yet? (we were only in Orrville -20 minutes from our house)

*** Cooper: I got to play in the sand box (was talking to papa on the phone)

Aunt Joy: NO Cooper... You played on the "Beach".... not a sand box.

Well... When I got the phone back from Cooper he was very devastated to learn that papa wasn't even talking to him... Cooper had been leaving a message.

***The boys thought that every body of water that we passed on the way was the "Ohio River"

*** Every railroad tracks we passed they put there bunny fingers up.

Amy even missed one... and Cooper was quick to tell her to be quite and to put her fingers up.

All the kids did so good on the drive and played so great together.

We can't wait for our next adventure!

This rest of the week in Florida!!!

On Wednesday we had a picnic at Jill's. Dick and Judy came up to visit for the afternoon. (my mom's 1st cousin) We had a great time visiting with them and we were very glad they came to visit us. That evening we loaded up the kids for a trip to the Outlet Mall's! We love the Florida Outlets!

Dick, Judy, Grandma, Amy, Mom & Jill

On Thursday morning we went swimming at Grandma's Hotel Pool. Jill's friend Jill and her kids came to visit and swim with the kids. It was so hot that the kids even got in the COLD pool.

In the afternoon Amy left (with my camera) to go

and visit her brother in law Emil, Angie & NEW BABY OWEN.

While Amy and the boys were gone we watched the Butler Girls while Ryan & Jill went out on a date to celebrate there wedding anniversary! They brought home a Cheese Cake for dessert! Yummy!

On Friday we spent the last day sitting at Grandma's Hotel pool. Grandma helped the kids catch a little frog that was hopping around the pool deck.
The kids played so good together and really enjoyed the pool!
~Notice.. All three kids with a net!
(It was the hot toy of the week...)
Good thing Kora didn't pick up on it...
Picture of all the kids before we left...
Willow, Eli, Kora (who is crying), Scarlett & Cooper
Scarlett & Baby Willow

We were so thankful that we got to go and visit the kids! We had a wonderful time and are already planning a trip for next year :o)

On the way home.... we were all guessing what time we would arrive home! Well God had other plans for us that night. The van transmission went out in Georgia- 3 hours from Jill's house! We were driving down the highway and we lost power on the Gas pedal. We put on our flashers and coasted 1 mile off of the high way and down the exit ramp. We almost made the turn but the semi in front of us stopped. So we ended up stuck on the exit ramp. We called AAA for a tow truck. A man stopped and helped us push our van off of the road. Then we called about 10 rental companies looking for a rental van to get us home. In the time of panic stranded in Georgia with three kids.... the nicest family stopped to help us. James, Michelle & there daughter stopped to see if we needed any help. We told them our transmission went out. James had just gotten back from working a week away from his family. He checked out the van and called a friend to make sure it really was the transmission. The airport was 1 exit away from where we were at. Jill had been looking online to find us a rental car. Michelle took Amy & Grandma to the airport to pick up the rental car. James stayed with Mom, Eli, Cooper, Kora & I as we waited on the tow truck. I put Kora in the Baby Carrier and we started to unload the van on the curb. Eli & Cooper sat in the car seats on the side of the road. The tow truck came and loaded the van. Amy & Grandma got back from the airport with this huge SUV to ride home in. We loaded up the new rental and drove to a nearby hotel. This christian family that stopped to help us spent there Friday night helping us! It took about 3 hours to get everything figured out and they were there for us. 3 police cars drove by and NEVER stopped to see if we needed help. James who just got done working a long week and I am sure just wanted to go home and enjoy his evening with his family.... was in the other lane and pulled his car over to help us. We could not have done it without them and feel very blessed that God lead them to help us that evening. We were thankful that not only did God provide help... but that we were all safe.

Here is the Eli & Cooper waiting so patiently with all the luggage by the curb.

You might have a hard time finding the boys in this picture... due to the mass amounts of luggage.... lol :o)

Baby Willow...

Baby Willow (8wks) was such a good little baby while we were visiting. We even got to baby sit a couple of nights so that Mommy & Daddy could have a break.

Kora at the Beach...

Kora Lily (8 months) loved the beach...

She was so busy scratching the sand...

that she would not even look at me for pictures..
She even tried the sand out for taste..

but that didn't last to long....

I guess it didn't taste as good as it looked.

Tuesday, Oct 20th - Day at the Beach

On Tuesday we decided we better go to the beach because our weeks was booking up and we didn't have a day for the beach. It wasn't the warmest day.... but we packed lunch and toys.... and off we went to the beach. We were planning on driving right onto the beach... but since the water was so high the gate was closed. The kids could have played at the gate all day....

Cooper, Eli & Scarlett playing at the gate. As you can tell in the parking lot... there were not to many people fighting over parking spots at this beach.

Amy thought that instead of helping us carry chairs, toys ... she would take pictures so that we would know how crazy we looked walking onto the beach.

Eli running on the beach.
The nets were the HOT item of the week... 3 kids (does not) = 2 nets
We did end up buying a 3rd net by the end of the week.

Cooper on the Beach with a net.

Eli playing in the water.

Scarlett playing on the sand hills.

(Yes notice her hair... how windy it was)

Cooper playing on the beach.

Scarlett playing in the sand.

Grandma.... yes she needed her coat... it was COLD & WINDY

We eat lunch at the cars....

they all wanted to feed Kora... when I looked up she had her mouth stuffed with cereal... they just kept shoving them in her mouth like a slot machine.

... then we went to Grandma's Hotel to swim in her HOT TUB!

Scarlett, Cooper & Eli making soup in the Hot Tub.

We had a great time at the beach ... even thought we didn't stay to long.