Happy Halloween!

We had a great time tonight trick-or-treating in our new neighborhood with family and friends. Happy Halloween everyone!

Carving Pumpkins

Wednesday night, we had the opportunity to go over to Megan and Barry's house and carve pumpkins with the youth group. Here are a few pictures of Brandon's "Death Star" in the making, and Grace, supervised, with a knife! Ben carved his own pumpkin too but ended up hanging out with me inside, where we enjoyed Megan's famous hot apple cider!

Busy weekend!

Once again, the Urbans had quite the busy weekend! But a great one!! The kids did not have school on Friday (I had a teacher inservice) so they spent the morning with Nana. After Nana took them to lunch, Aunt Stacey took them bowling. Friday night, Grace and I attended the Girl Scout Cookie Kick-Off, an event that officially puts us out there as Cookie Sellers! If you'd like a box, they're $3.50, and worth every penny. Let Grace know...she has a great speech prepared that will make you want to buy at least two boxes. Grace had a good time at the event. Her troop was the only "Daisy" troop, meaning the only KG/1st grade group of girls. They got to make crafts (called Swaps), learn about cookie-selling safety, and sing "Make New Friends" - a familiar song for many of us! While Grace and I were taste-testing cookies, Brandon and Ben went down town to the Game Stop to play some video games. They were then going to go to the Free State/Lawrence High football game - the last to be played at Haskell Stadium, but Ben was too tired. When Grace and Ben were in bed, Brandon left and went to hang out with Barry at church for the youth group lock-in. He enjoyed playing ping-pong and broom hockey.

Saturday came and both kids had soccer games. It was freezing!!! After the games, we went to Kansas City. Mom and I went to Holiday Mart, a posh gift/craft show in Johnson County, while the kids went to lunch with Dad. Later that evening, the kids went to Mama and Papa's to spend the night while Brandon and I went out with his sisters and brothers to celebrate Devan's birthday. We even went out to Henry's afterward for some wine. In my case, more water! We had a great time.

Sunday came, and the kids had their last soccer games of the season. After a whole season of waiting, both kids were able to score a goal!!! I think we were more excited than they were! After the games, we went to Gracie's friend Nicholas's house for a party, pizza, and a soccer cake. Then we went home and the kids got into their costumes. We drove to Kansas City to Mom and Dad's church for Trunk or Treat. We got to eat dinner with Keri, Casey, Mary, and Jack; Mom and Dad; and Megan, Barry, and Isaac before trick-or-treating. If you can't tell from the pics, Ben is Harry Potter (although he refused to wear the glasses), Grace is a cat, Isaac is a hotdog, Mary is Sleeping Beauty, and Jack is Frankenstein. Brandon wore his Burger King mask and scared several children and adults. The kids came home exhausted, but still had the energy to sort out their loot. Wow, what a weekend!!!

Finally, he lost it!!!!

Yes, Ben has finally lost his first tooth. After hanging by a thread all day, Brandon pulled Ben's tooth around 9:00 last night. We watched High School Musical (since there was no school for them today) and he brushed his teeth over twenty times during the movie. For some reason, Ben thought if he brushed his teeth, they would come out easier. :) That's the most he's ever brushed his teeth. And thanks to the Tooth Fairy, who has set the bar high...for Ben raked in a five dollar bill this morning. Maybe that includes interest since he's the last kid in his second grade class to lose a tooth. Oh, and she left the tooth behind since Ben wrote her a letter asking her to leave it for his baby book!

House Warming Weekend

Hello everyone! We had a great time at our house warming party. Thanks to all of you for making it such a success. We had a great time and wish we could host one every weekend! Activities ranged from horseshoes and volleyball, to roasting marshmallows and drinking wine. There was even some political discussion. What a great night. Oh, and the kids had an awesome time running free in the backyard. Here are some pictures from the event.

Grace gets a haircut!

Grace got a new, sassy haircut today. While our friend Marci was cutting it, she said "Grace is going to be such a diva!" Going to be? I think we already have a diva on our hands. Ben came home from soccer and brought the muddy field with him. I made him get the broom and clean it up. Here is proof that he followed through.



We're all glad the weekend is on its way. It's been a long week for most of us, a challenging week for many of us, and we're praying the weekend brings peace and comfort to all.

Soccer Pics

This Saturday was very busy with soccer pictures, two soccer games, and Christmas play practice. Brandon and his family helped put the finishing touches on the house as well. Here is a picture of Grace and "her boys". We're going to have to watch her!!!!