~Ice Cream in Autumn~

Kara and I recently took the kids that we nanny to the Columbus Zoo. The first animals that we visited were the Polar Bears. One of the, Twin Girl, Polar Bears was making us laugh so hard! I couldn't get the video to load onto the Blog so you have to click on the "this" link and go to my youtube page. I have seen them both be active and playful before but NEVER like this!

I forgot to add in my last Blog about a night I had with Brooke and Audrey! It was a Tuesday while Marvin was playing Softball. Some say, "I can't believe you did that" but I did! :) I was driving over to their house and sitting at a red light. I backed up a few car lengths (and by that I mean 5) to line up with an Ice Cream Truck. Obviously there were no cars in my lane. I rolled down my window and asked, "Where you headed?". He said two blocks North and I asked if he was willing to go a mile East, he said yes and we were on our way. Before he even got to the Wendorf's house 10 kids were chasing him down. I told Marvin to send the girls out and it was treat time for them! They each got a Scooby-Do Pop made of Caramel!
I do have to say that this photos says nothing about what was to come! THEY MELTED so fast! I ended up getting the girls bowls and spoons and it was still a mess that the three of us couldn't even handle as a team. I really should have gotten an After Photo!Tommy and I were so happy that we were able to pull off making it to Travis and Catherine's Wedding Reception. The Wedding was in Tucson, AZ and sadly we were not able to attend. Tommy hurt his food playing basketball on the first Thursday of the month. Sat the 8th we were to be in Grove City, poor Tommy had to go crutches!

Travis and I have know each other since I was born and he was a few months old. Below are two photos! One of me and Travis when we were little and one from the Reception.
~Catherine, Travis, Me and Tommy~
~Living up the Gimpy Life~

My little sister Hannah (on the left) attended her first High School dance that same Saturday. I can't believe how much older she is getting! The four girls had dates and they all went in a big group. She brought over her dress the week before and showed it to me. We picked out some jewelry from my closet and she was good to go!
~Daddy with Baby Hannah and Me back in 1997!~
My Mom's Birthday was October 3rd and boy did we have a surprise up our sleeves. Her friend (and our family friend) Doug wanted to make a Meal for her and have us over as well. Dad took Mom out to Easton. He said they were going to dinner (after walking around) but that he forgot the restaurant coupon and had to run home really fast. Somehow he got her to walk inside and we all yelled surprise! She said it was the first surprise party she had ever had! The kids (J, A and R that I have M-F) and I made banners! Five of them.

1. HAPPY
2. BIRTHDAY
3. KATHLEEN4. PUMPKIN and
5. PIE
To hang up at their house for fun! The five of us all had a great time eating and talking together. Tommy made some of his Grandma's recipes to go along with Doug's soup. We were all full by the time the cake came out! But who can say no to cake?

The kids asked me what I was doing that night and I said that I was going to my Mom's Bday party, they asked if they could make her a card and buy her a gift! They asked so kindly I couldn't resist. A picked out a Princess Paddle Ball and a Glow-stick shaped as a wand. LOL. It was so stinkin' cute to watch my Mom open them! I got her some Scentsy products for her plug-in, some mini note cards and The Big Bang Theory: Season 4 on DVD. She loves Big Bang!
The H's and I have had lots of October Fun this year! We went the Zoo, two of three different parks and made some fall recipes. We also decorated their kitchen with pumpkin and witch crafts!

This story is too funny! A, R and I went shopping to get a few things we needed to make Lasagnas! One for a dinner party that Tommy and I were having and one for their family to keep for weekend dinners! I ask A to hand me one of the tomatoes but she said she couldn't find them. I said look really hard, they have a picture of tomatoes on them, nothing. Guess who was playing with the rest of the groceries that he stole off the table? He stacked the tomatoes and topped the castle off with a block of Parm. When I asked him to bring them over to use he said, "Make your lasagna in the livingroom!".
~Layering~The next day we met up with my Kara again to go on another field trip to Pigeon Roost Farm! Don't be fooled by the name, it was AWESOME! Kara had four kids with her (no school that day) and I had A and R while J was in school. There was so much to do, I couldn't get over it!!! I only added a couple of photos, make sure to check out the website!
~Kara was very fond of the Camel! So excited! Like a lil girl on her Birthday!~
~One of the many things to do... get your photo taken in front of the Pumpkin Tree!~
~Lexi, A, Jamie and R on the huge chair! One of the many simple but fun things to do~
That same afternoon the kids got a Wendy's treat for completing their weeks worth of chores on their charts. They each have household items and behavioral items, six total that they have to complete Friday - Thursday to go! I went to Wendy's and bought a Frosty and was able to buy 10 Free Jr. Frostys for $1, Coupon Booklet. So we used four of them and had our lil treat. Yes, I was good girl too! :) I also ran into my friends Mom while I was there and her granddaughter. Forgot that they lived on that side of town.
That SAME eve Kara and I got together again for our "Lasagna Dinner Party". The guys usually play basketball together but since Tommy couldn't play we all hug out! Works for me! We also played a never ending game of Risk that night!
Friday the 14th I took the two youngest ones to the Worthington Library for a Costume Parade! They were so excited to get dressed up. We met up with Izzy (Audrey Wendorf's friend) and her family as well. It was fun to all walk together. Izzy was a beautiful fairy.
I think this is a hysterical photo. R thinks that his Frankenstein costume is a Skateboard helmet and shirt. I just had to have him stand there for a photo!
Audrey had her 5th Birthday Party on Saturday the 15th! That will be the next blog to come along! I am just so happy that the weather had been amazing this Autumn. I can't wait to Blog more about this season!

~The Month of September~

My Mom and I were able to get some free time together this past month and I was so happy that we could. We have both been busy with work and needed some time to chill. We ended up shopping for some gifts for my cousin Susan's (and Andrew's) Baby shower that we will be attending over Thanksgiving. There will be a guessing game with gift giving so I can't say what we each got the baby but trust me, it will be blogged about in November!
Jill and I spent a day together in September. We made our way over to Powell and shopped, shopped, shopped! I found my Halloween costume and Jill found me a Betsey Johnson Laptop case; that i NEEDED. We also found a cute and very unique store on High Street and fell in love with just about everything in there. We got a kick out of the board game magnet frames! We are going to HAVE TO MAKE THESE! I already found an old game of scrabble ($2 at garage sale) to use!
After shopping and going out to eat we hopped back in the Jeep (I had never gone for spin before) and with the doors off and found a sweet spot for dessert called Menchie's! Brooke had been there for Field trip and we wanted to check it out! Once we had been inside for more than 10 seconds we were convinced that Brooke should have her Birthday party there! I made my ice cream bowl with Cheesecake flavored Yogurt and cubed Cheesecake Bites. Laura Amberg, this day made me think of you and the amazing Cheesecake recipe you gave me!
~I am just a lil too excited~
Tommy came over in the evening and the girls worked on Audrey's Birthday invitations and the guys played pool and then sat in the driveway and did... well how would I know. Hopefully they were on their good behavior! LOL.
We had to get a photo before Tommy and I left. It was a wonderful afternoon/evening spent together. XOXOXO! I love you Jill!
On the 5th of September Kyla came over for lunch. We had some of my homemade spaghetti sauce. We sat out on the porch and talked. Tommy was home and was sweet enough to whip up some fresh whip cream for the fruit I had put out and made us chocolate drinks as well. How kind!
I bought my dad a Jalapeno Popper "Holder" for the Grill. We decided to share it, so on the 6th we got together for dinner, picked some peppers from the garden and stuffed them with cheese, bacon and roasted almonds. Oh my goodness, they were sooo good!
~Yum~
After our J.P. Appetizers Tommy served us Mini Burgers on Mini Pretzel Buns and Corn Tortillas with shredded dark meat chicken and fresh veggies minced. One of the best meals of the year.
We got invited to a really fun night at the Kahely's. Glenn and Lisa set up a HUGE big screen in the back yard and offered a Double Feature. We got a pizza to go and I used my Pampered Chef 8 Qt Collapsible Bowl filled with Popcorn to share. Hannah had some friends over for the movie and including The Stohrer's, Feisel's and Kahley's there were about 40 people out on the lawn. It was a great night to watch Megamind!
We went to the New Location for Shadowbox, as a family, for the first time last month. We were stoked to see Legacy: The Best from the Last 20 Years! The should couldn't have been any better. Tommy and I had been to the new location twice before but it was new to Mom and Dad. They loved the show and can't wait to get back and see Rocky Horror Picture Show ; their New Musical!

~Mom and I spent a morning together baking. We had so many laughs together~
Tommy and I were downtown again on a Sunday in September for Brunch at Due Amici. Outside on Gay Street, Columbus was Independents Day!!! You have to check out the link! It explains what we did after we had Eggs Benedict! What a beautiful day way to start our Sunday!
Jill played Vollyball with a league in Dublin, Ohio! My schedule had not been allowing me to go, so I was so so so happy to get to see her play in September. It was fun to watch her play. The main game was over by the time Tommy and I got drinks and watched the second one. We also ran into the Nashs. It was great to see and talk to them too. They play for different team.

Tommy and I decided one night to go out for Sushi, to a new place. It was good. To be honest I can't remember the name of it but we did enjoy the fresh fish platter. We've had better Sushi, that's for sure.
I woke up on the 15th to this for Breakfast!!! I love you Tommy! The Big German Pancake was the perfect idea for our Anniversary Breakfast!
Book, is the Modern Theme for gift giving for 4 Years of Marriage. When I was out shopping with Jill I found a signed copy of Rocco Dispirito's, FLAVOR! I really like the card that I found him as well.
Tommy got me flowers and a card the morning of, with something inside. As I opened it I would have never guessed... Watermelon Air Freshers for my Truck. Little did I know about the Truck Theme to come!

My Mom and Dad were very creative with our Year Four "Book Gifts". They found some Bridal Magazines for Tommy for fun and two books for me. One is a Ty Pennington DIY book since we helped with Extreme Makeover Home Edition. The other book is Kate Gosselin's most recent. I am currently reading "Multiple Bles8ings: Surviving Thriving Sextuplets". I am blown away by what I am reading and my heart aches more and more for Kate as I turn each page. I can't wait to finish it and start "I Just Want You to Know: Letters to My Kids on Love, Faith, and Family".Tommy's real wedding gift to me came a week later! No, not a book - a Makeover for my truck. If you don't remember, it used to be Silver. I have always wanted a Hunter Green Pick Up and when the 2005 Durango came out, I fell in love with it. Now I have the best of both of my driving dreams... a Hunter Green Durango! LOL! Thank you Tommy it was such a huge surprise!!!

Some of the Chicks and I got together to make dinner for fun. We each brought the ingredients for what we were making and started the "Pig Out". Lauren and Bethany brought dips that we made and ate while we cooked, I covered drinks and played Sous-Chef to the girls! Kyla brought everything to make BBQ Chicken Lasagna and Kara brought the goodies to make "Better Than Sex Chocolate Cake". Nough Said! :)

Everyone did a great job helping one another in the kitchen. It was the greatest chaos I had ever seen. Kara is a whiz in the kitchen and I'm pretty sure she "multi-tasked the most". I am going to start taking notes from her!
~Bethany's Dip was a Red Pepper, Basil and Cheese Dip~
~Kyla and Kara getting the Cakes ready to go into the oven~
~The Best Lasagna Ever~
And of course the Better Than Sex Chocolate Cake! We watched Spanglish while we ate and boy was all of the best of the best! What a great night!!!!
FOOD SWAP #2! Tommy and I invited my rents to come along this time to the Food Swap Downtown on High. Mom, Tommy and I each made goodies to bring. Mom made her Mother's Yummy Date Bars.
~Tommy made his Pretzel Buns, he made them into minis~
One of the ladies made homemade noodles again (yea) and also brought honey from her Bees in the back yard. I was impressed that she takes on that process!
Tommy also brought Mini Artisan Breads and I brought more Raspberry Jalapeno Jam and made Pesto from my Boxwood Basil in the Garden.

What an amazing September it was!!!