Picnic Lunch

Today we headed to the park with some of our friends for a picnic lunch and some much needed play time.

 Taking a break to talk to Auntie Mel!

Grieving

 

Grief is a multi-faceted response to loss, 

particularly to the loss of someone or something to which a bond was formed.

8th grade is the end...yet the beginning. 

So many memories are behind you and so many more are yet to come.

Disease: an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning

Helpless student suffering from a rare disease; allergic to sugars.

Dear Sweet Justin,

You will be missed more than words can explain.

You were the light in my classroom 4 years ago,

and the light in my emails over the past 4 years.

You were challenged, whole hearted, BRAVE, and funny!

You had many friends and LOVED to LAUGH!

So even though you are now spending YOUR days with GOD,

YOU, JUSTIN are still LOVED, still MISSED, and ALWAYS REMEMBERED!

You may not experience high school or excelling in sports, 

but YOU my friend are somewhere, where YOU are going to LOVE even more...

and I cannot wait to see you again, beyond the gates of HEAVEN,

to see what GOD had in store for you.

My heartaches and I miss you! Don't forget your snack, twice a day...caprison and your fruit snacks!!

Love you ALWAYS, 

Ms. Birkelo

Lions and Tigers and Bears...OH MY!!

Today we traveled to the zoo with or neighborhood group of moms and our kids. Our church encourages neighborhood groups, which is a bible study group...I lead a group for mommies and our kids every Wednesday. Today we decided to travel to the zoo with our little ones. So much FUN!!

 From left to right: Emery, Tristan, Morgan, Alexis, Sophia, Katie, and Conner

 This is by far my favorite picture that I captured...Tristan is Morgan's best bud!! They are too cute...and no-one even told them how to pose!! Such a great day, with wonderful friends!

Pumpkins and Pizza

We started our weekend on Thursday by carving pumpkins and having pizza.

Trunk or Treat

 Friday night was Trunk or Treat at church. The theme of our "trunk" was a tailgating theme...so we all wore our football gear! Morgan had not had a nap...so there she slept in the truck as the kids went around trick or treating.

 Sorry for the bad pics...had to use my phone, cuz I forgot my camera...bad bad pics!!

Shawn and Zach played a game or too inside the children's area at our church.

 Here are some of our friends that came with us...Lucy at Batgirl and Drake as a ninja, climbing the rock wall.

Halloween Dinner

 Last year was the start of a yearly tradition...Halloween Dinner. Last year mom's dinner was quite the hit, so this year she created some new ideas.

Our Menu for the evening:

Worms and Meatballs covered in Blood

 Mummies in Coffins

Skeletons and Brains

 Witches Brew to drink

(Rootbeer floats for the kids and non-drinks and Beer for the drinkers)

Then we just had fun hanging out and laughing!!

Trick or Treat...

 All dressed up for Trick or Treating...so for the bad photos, could not find the good camera last night!

Zach REALLY, REALLY wanted to be Steve Urkel for Halloween...so that's what he was...the hardest piece to find for his costume was the suspenders. Who would have thought!!

Morgan had the choice of a fairy or Minnie Mouse...she picked the fairy, with her tap shoes, and called herself Tinkerbell and said, "I can fly mommy look!" Then pretended to fly through the house! We had a great weekend and now it's time to plan for Thanksgiving!!