Halloween Happenings

The month of October included lots of Halloween carnivals and fun with the kids!
One nice Saturday we went to the Palo Duro Canyon for the day for a little hike and picnic with my mom and Brigid.

We saw many hairy caterpillars:

Halloween carnival at our church: Abigail got to wear fake eyelashes for her ladybug costume:

Halloween night began a few weeks of sickness in our house. Abigail didn't get to trick-or-treat because of a pretty good fever. So, here's how she spent the evening:

while the boys were going door-to-door on our block.

Colby made his first Jack-o-lantern with his friend Will.

Family Pictures!

We had our family pictures taken in the courtyard of one of the downtown churches the first of November. She did an amazing job! This is my personal favorite: My precious Isaiah!

Dainty Abigail:

Cool Colby:

I was very happy with these pictures & they were all captured within 20 minutes! It's so nice when everyone cooperates!

Trike-a-thon & Glorieta Trip

The first weekend of October I led a retreat for our youth and adult choir in Glorieta, NM at the Lifeway Retreat center. This is the 3rd year that we have gone there & I would highly recommend it - whether for a family weekend to a large get-together. It is a very affordable and beautiful facility.

I drove with Abigail and one of our friend's and her daughter that Friday so we could enjoy Santa Fe before the group arrived. We first visited the Santa Fe Children's Museum. Somehow my pictures are jumbled.... so here's a few from the St. Jude's Trike-a-thon that Abigail participated in at her Montessori school.

I really wish I would have videoed the start of the race. Abigail was hilarious! She was so serious! She quickly found her way around everyone so she could get to the front of all of the kids. As she went around the oval, there was no smiling, just racing. So funny!

Back to the museum!

Weaving away - her great-grandmother would have been proud.

Below is 3 of our scholarship students and my boss, Jim at the end of the retreat.

Here's a majority of our group in the prayer garden.

Atkins Family Reunion

Ready for a lot of catch up posts?!?!?

Here goes:

In late September my grandmother held a family reunion at her house. She is one of 10 kids! 2 of them have passed away in the past few years, and 1 was caring for her sick husband, so a total of 7 and some of their families joined us. We had a photographer come and capture the event. Isaiah and my cousin, Taylor.

My precious grandparents:

Here's the grandchildren and great-grandchildren that were able to attend:

The 7 siblings:

Everyone attending:

Here's my grandparent's clan in attendance:

Me and my 3!

Rodeo

Thursday evening we went back to the fairgrounds for the rodeo. I attempted to dress the kids in as "cowboy-like" attire as we have...Uncle John joined us for the event!

This was Abigail's 2nd year to try Mutton Bustin' & Colby's 1st year to attempt it. Last year he refused, so I'm glad he got up the courage this year, which will be his only time, as it's only for kids ages 4-7. We signed up early so they were 2 of the 10 kids who were able to do it! Here's Abigail excited face as we were waiting to get suited up. She was the only girl!

My very serious Colby... Waiting on the platform to be put on top of the sheep!

They went 3rd & 4th of the group of 10 & Abigail held on the 2nd longest out of all of the kids!!! I was so proud of her! But, when she finally let go of the sheep, it proceeded to step on the side of her face and her arm, so she came away crying... Unfortunately I didn't get to see Colby's ride in person, but it was very short lived! The video is at the bottom of this post!

They all received a medal:

Isaiah's big boots!

Gotta love Ring Pops!

Isaiah hiding from our self-portrait opportunity.

And the moment you've all been waiting for - the footage of Abigail & Colby's ride!