Happy Halloween!

We went trick or treating tonight!  We met up with our good friends The Corlett's and walked the streets of Farmersburg.  The kiddos had a blast!

 Captain America and dinosaur

 The trick or treating bunch!

 We ended our trick or treating with hot dogs at the community center.  The Farmersburg firemen do this every year, I think it's great!

 Tristan with his loot!

Jackson ended up sorting all his candy.  He is definitely MY child, this is something I probably would do!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Pumpkin carving

We finally got our pumpkins carved tonight.  There just isn't enough hours in the day sometimes!  The boys even helped clean out the pumpkins which is a first.  They also picked what they wanted for the faces, then I took over with the knife.  I think they turned out great!

 They dug right in those pumpkins!

I'm not sure what's going on with Jackson and Tristan's faces but the pumpkins look great!

I also cleaned up all the seeds and roasted them.  YUM!!

Puddle Jumpin

It rained this morning and the weather was mild so what did the Foels boys do?  You guessed it!  PUDDLE JUMPING!

They were SOAKED when we were done! 

Pinter's Pumpkin Patch

I had heard of this place just outside of Decorah so since it was probably the last nice day of fall today we decided to go check it out.  Karsten was at the farmhouse so I invited Mom to come along.  We had a blast!  So much stuff for the boys to do, definitely will be returning next fall.

 Jackson thought this meant he was 3 years old, we reassured him he was still 5.

 BIG slide!  Tristan usually went down backwards headfirst.  We spent a lot of time here.

 Jackson coming off the big slide.  This kid would fly, I guess there are advantages to being a stringbean!

 On the racetrack.  Tristan enjoyed this too but I had to push him around since his little legs couldn't reach the pedals.

 Corn maze!

 This was everyone's favorite.  We even managed to flip Tristan out a couple times, he loved it!

 Photo op!

 Jackson in mid - jump!  Tristan is winding up for a twisty jump.

 WATER!

 We ended our fun afternoon with a cupcake.  Delicious!

The boys (and Mom and I) had a blast at Pinter's.  We decided next year we will bring Daddy and maybe even Papa!  We will definitely return.

The Carpenters are done....

They got done today!  Four days was all it took.  Crazy!  Highly recommend hiring Ashbacher's crew out of Rossville.  They work hard and were in constant communication with us on specific things throughout the construction.  Very pleased!

This one is the view from the top of the steps.  The far room (which is above the garage) will be our master suite, complete with it's own bathroom and closet.  The area on the right will be walled off and will be an extra room.  We aren't quite sure yet what it will be used for, possibly storage, toy room, exercise room, etc.

Karsten hopes to start roofing this weekend.  We are currently waiting for windows and siding to come in.  Doors will be painted soon and hopefully installed soon.  We are getting there!

One day's work

The carpenters finally came today!!  And they got right to work!  This is what they accomplished in ONE day...

We couldn't believe it!  We really needed this.  Karsten's been out there a lot doing small projects, not very visible projects.  We (I) just really needed to see something new and progressive.  I got my wish!  We hired Ashbacher's out of Rossville.  They have an all Amish crew and there was probably about 12 people working.  And boy do they know how to work!  They will likely be done with their part by the end of the week.

Birthday party

We had a small birthday party Sunday following Grandpa's dedication at Froelich.  Jackson was very excited for his birthday cake and presents.  On the guest list was:  Dad & Mom and Tristan, Grandma and Papa, Mike, Grandma Shirley and Christa and Cal & Betty.  The menu was sloppy joes, cheesy potatoes, raw veggies with dip, grapes and birthday dirt cake.

We had a great time with family.  The food turned out great, the dirt cake was a HUGE hit and Jackson got some very nice presents.

Jackson took treats to preschool today on his actual birthday.  He decided on tootsie pops and was very excited to take them for all his friends.  He got a crown to wear and even a small gift from his teacher Mrs. Lenth.  Then we went out for pizza at TJ's tonight, which was Jackson's choice.

I think he had a great 5th birthday!

Happy birthday Jackson!

Wow!  5 years old!

 Such joy this boy has brought to our lives.  

Five years ago on a Monday morning I was getting ready for an OB appointment in Dubuque.  I was 8 days overdue and sooooo ready to have a baby.  During our appointment we sort of talked the doctor into inducing me.  She had to make sure it was okay with the doctor who was actually on call at the hospital, and to our relief it was!  We had left our house all packed up and ready, hopeful that we wouldn't be returning without our new baby boy.  We headed over to Mercy hospital and got admitted.  I really didn't know what to expect, other than what I had learned during OB training in nursing school.  Through the course of the day, the pitocin was started and adjusted, got my epidural once I got too uncomfortable, my water was broke after I was dilated enough and eventually it was time to push.  I pushed for an hour and a half, probably the hardest thing I've ever done.  And finally, at 10:12pm, Jackson Dean Foels entered the world.

Jackson was the only name that Karsten and I could agree on.  I don't think it was either of our favorite names, but now I can't imagine Jackson having any other name!  Dean comes from Karsten's dad, of course.  Unfortunately, Dean never got to meet Jackson but I'm sure he's a proud Grandpa up in heaven.  I can't say enough about the nurses (especially the labor nurses) that we had at Mercy, top notch.  OB was NEVER my favorite in school, so I have the utmost respect for those that love that field.  Dr. Tinsman was who delivered Jackson, I think I had seen him once for a clinic appointment.  He was great as well.

It's hard to believe that Jackson is 5 years old.  He is really a great kid.  Don't get me wrong though, sometimes he drives me crazy.  He's very loving and seems to make friends easily although he can be very shy.  He's gets very scared about trying new things but almost always enjoys those same "new things".  Jackson doesn't like to be wrong.  His favorite food right now is peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  He has a pretty good sweet tooth, preferring to have chocolate cream of wheat or toaster sticks for breakfast instead of scrambled eggs.  He loves his little brother and is pretty good about sharing with him.  He even let Tristan open a couple of his birthday presents.

We sure do love this kid with all our hearts!  Happy 5th birthday Jacksonator!