Trick or Treating

Can you just imagine all these girls in 10 years....and the group of boys walking past trying to see what they are all about?!?  Oh lord...help us now!

Another great year of Trick or Treating and Halloween fun is in the books.  For the last few years we've been able to do two rounds of trick or treating - one in Apple Canyon the weekend or two before (annual beer tasting weekend for us adults!!) and also in Crystal Lake for "real Halloween" as Abby calls it now.  We trick or treated in Crystal Lake last year with Bethany/Patrick/Jamie/Zach and we had so much fun we knew it would be our location this year as well.  It's already booked for 2019 (along with a potential "Epcot in our backyards" event...more to come!).

The girls love the opportunity to dress up more than once, and who doesn't love the opportunity to run around and collect candy?  I  know Ryan really appreciates the newly refreshed candy selection at our house these days.

We had a great time this year and I think we've finally hit that magical age range where the kids know what's going on, are big enough to keep up, want to participate and generally enjoy the process.  Honestly, it was great.  We hauled the power-wheel out, let the drive straight up the driveways, pop out, grab candy and onto the next. 

Next year, family costumes are back on the docket and I've already tarted thinking of ideas. 

1 Family x 12 (October)

Happy Halloween from our family to yours!

Carving Pumpkins

With much anticipation, Halloween is finally here - the magical day of candy, candy and MORE candy!!  We'll be dressing up (yes, somehow I'm dressing up too this year) and going Trick or Treating later today, but for now, I thought I'd share a post with pumpkin carving to get everyone into the mood.

Grandpa came over to help out, which was great because Abby decided she really wanted nothing to do with the process outside of giving directions, pointing and drawing her face one.  Grandpa did basically all the other steps.  Next year girl, you're up!

Fran didn't quite understand the concept of drawing her face on the pumpkin so after she scribbled on it for a few minutes I pulled up some cute ideas on my phone, and we settled on this cute kitty pumpkin.

Ryan opted for the "spooky" pumpkin face and Abby did draw her own, though, as I said, she conned Grandpa into doing all the work.

Ryan has already made me promise that next year I'll carve one too so we have a family of pumpkins.

Pumpkin pictures in the dark were hard!  The shutter speed did NOT like the dark lighting, but I did get one decent one.  Not bad!!  They actually look pretty good.  We'll light them up tonight and hope they are still glowing when we get home from Trick or Treating! 

Lost Tooth - An Abby First

October 6th - Abby lost her very first tooth!!  It had been a few weeks in the making.  My girl is a little bit of a "frady cat" but after much debate she let Daddy give it the final yank and we had our very first lost tooth at the McGrath house!

Abby, born on August 14th is one of the youngest kids in her class.  She was just a few weeks over the cut off for Kindergarten and we decided to put her in knowing she'd likely be one of the youngest.  Many of her friends started losing teeth in Kindergarten so when she started first grade this year and STILL hadn't lost one she was pretty disappointed.  She reminded me quite often that Parker had already lost SEVEN teeth and she didn't have a single one out yet.

But, here we are, one baby tooth in and she already has two more "wiggly" teeth - I bet we'll have a few more visits from the tooth fairy before the end of the year.

The tooth fairy remembered to come and visit (thank goodness) and Abby even used my tooth fairy pillow from when I was a kid.  It has a tiny pocket in the back to store your tooth in.  Can you believe that tooth fairy left THREE gold coins?  (Golden dollar coins).  I mean, I was sure she'd leave just one...but no....she's no cheap-skate! 

Abby promptly wanted to spend her money on a toy from the store - so, she's now the proud owner of a small stuffed deer thanks to the tooth fairy and a few extra bucks from Mom when we got to the cash register. 

The Madison Zoo - A Ritterbusch Family Adventure

In the last couple years my parents have started trying to organize a summer/fall adventure for the group of us over a weekend.  Last year we went on a family bike ride and this year Mom and Dad suggested the Madison Zoo. 

Guys - the Madison Zoo was awesome!!  It's small-ish and it's free.  Similar to the Lincoln Park Zoo, I felt like we could spend a good 3-4 hours there and see most of the things but still have some areas left unexplored.  It was a little chilly the day we went (actually, maybe the first real chilly day of the year) so by the time lunch rolled around we were all ready to sit down, have some warm food and relax!  You can't tell it from Abby's face in the picture above, but we honestly had a great time!

I sure do love these people a lot!!  Here's to many  more Ritterbusch Family adventures to come!

Backbone Camping

We actually got in quite a bit of camping this summer - even though it may not seem like it from the number of posts I've done on it this year.  These pictures are from a quick trip we did to Backbone State Park with Joey/Andy and my Mom.  Dad was supposed to come too - but he was pulled away last minute for a family funeral. 

Backbone is a great campsite for us because it's only a few hours from all three of the families and there is lots to do.  Since my parents bought a camper two years ago we've tried to get in at least one family camping trip each season.  Next year we may try for Wyalusing State Park which was amazing this year - we enjoyed it so much we want to go back and explore some more.  There is tons of hiking and canoeing there.

So here's a quick run down of the places we camped this season:
1. Devils Lake - we will definitely go back here again!
2.  Kettle Moraine
3.  Backbone State Park
4. Wyalusing State Park

I think that's it for this year...right?  Did I miss one??  Someone correct me if I did!

We're always so excited to start camping season and we love when we get to camp with friends and family throughout the summer - but all that being said, we're also excited when the weather turns a little cooler and we have fewer things planned on the weekends.  Camping season is over for us this year - the camper is cleaned and put away, the list of camping related projects is on hold until spring and we're excited for a new season of activities (even if it is mostly cutting wood!).

1 Family x 12 (September)

You know we can't resist a good "house divided" picture! Since I'm the one writing the blog, I get to pick the pictures so this one of Hazel with a big fat "L" (for loser!) made the cut.  I mean....she is wearing those gross blue and orange colors for goodness sake!

Go Pack, Go!