October in Indy

We happened to have a free weekend in October so we headed down to Indy to visit the Fienes.  While we were there Traderspoint Creamery was having an Oktoberfest.

Anders is such a ham and Finley doesn't know how she feels about all of these boys.  That's okay, Finley.  I know what that's like.

The creamery had several stations set up over the grounds.  Aside from face painting there was a petting zoo, various games, and a hay ride.

 Face-painting is always a big hit.

This little girl is a cutie.

We ended with a nice hay ride.

Since we were in Indy so close to Anders' birthday, and because Jake's birthday is a few days before Anders',we had a little gathering at Jake and Ashley's to celebrate.

 A beer and his phone.  This hunky hubby of mine is set for the next several hours.

 But a game of Cornhole with his brother is way more exciting.

 Jake and Ashley got Anders this longbow.  I'm not sure if you can tell, but this kid was excited about that.  I'm sure he was calculating all the ways he could torture his brothers.

 Solveig makes each grandchild, on their 5th birthday, a special book.  This is probably Anders' favorite book because it's all about him.

It was a great weekend.

Fun with Cousins

Just a week after we went to Zionsville, we went again!  This time Andrina flew in with her kiddos so we had all 7 grandchildren there.

 Michael's birthday was earlier in the month so Solveig decided to throw a little party for him.

 There was a lot of noise and chaos and Michael decided he wanted his mom to be next to him.

 He is really into Thomas right now, so I decided to make him some train cupcakes.

 John made pizza and we all enjoyed an afternoon of crazy, loud children and good food.

 These two have always loved each other, but this  year they really started to play together.  Machara was telling Gus what to do and Gus was following directions!

 Then we decided to take a picture of the 7 grandkids.  And, if you can count, you can see I'm missing two.

 And then I got all 7 kids....and a dog.

And. Well.  This is as good as it got.

These kids don't have time for pictures.  They just wanted to play.

Thanksgiving Festivities

Yes, I know it is way past Thanksgiving.  I'm behind.  Way behind.  But it is this or nothing at all.
 
We went down to Zionsville, IN for Thanksgiving this year.  River of Life has a Thanksgiving Eve service so Hans had no service obligations on Thanksgiving Day.  We woke up early that morning and made it to Zionsville in time to surprise his parents at their church service. The boys even picked out matching sweaters to wear.  They actually still like matching.

 We attempted a family picture with the matching boys.  If only they could have matching smiles...or at least all be smiling.

 Great Grandma Fiene was in town so we had to get a picture with her too.

 The table was set and we were all waiting for some delicious food.  I was just hoping Fritz wouldn't try to get under the table and break everything.

 We were excited to spend some time with Jake, Ashley, and our adorable niece, Finley.

 Finley definitely stole the show.  Grandma and Grandpa just couldn't put her down.

 Finley had just turned the big O-N-E a couple of days before Thanksgiving.

 I know the parents of an adorably cute child get lost in the crowd.  But we were super excited to see them too.

 Anders was willing to share his new toy...for about 5 minutes.  Then he picked up something else to distract Finley so he could take his toy back.

 Hans and I enjoyed some mimosas.

 Uncle Christian enjoyed spending time with his nephews.  We didn't think we were going to see this California boy, but he was able to fly in and surprise all of us at the last minute.  We loved seeing him.

See?  He is fun and crazy.

We all had a ton of fun and a Happy Thanksgiving.

A Little Baby Shower

All of the Fienes were together over the 4th of July weekend so we thought that would be a great time to throw a little baby shower for my sister in-law, Ashley.  Solveig, Andrina and I divvied up the responsibilities and a shower was planned.  My assignment was coming up with games and activities for the shower.  Of all of the baby showers I had, I think only one of them had games and I honestly can't remember what they were.  The only game I could think of off  the top of my head was the game where we all tried to guess the circumference of the mother's belly with a piece of string.  But, I was pretty sure Ashley would strangle me with the string if I presented that game at the party.  Thankfully I was able to find two games that were not too silly and did not involve string measuring the mother to-be's belly.

After getting the games all squared away I realized we really needed some kind of party favor.  So off to work I went.

 Inside each gift bag was a little bag filled with little cookies that looked like buttons.  Or at least my attempt to look like buttons.

 See why I chose button cookies?  Plus buttons, or at least my version of buttons, are a lot easier to make than cookies that looks like bottles or rubber duckies or onesies.

 Instead of a cake Solveig ordered varying flavors of these delicious mini cupcakes.

 Andrina put together a beautiful cheese, nut and berry platter.  This was a nice compliment to the wonderful chicken salad sandwiches and mimosas.  

 The guest of honor and the hostesses.

 Ashley got some wonderful presents.  This is going to be one well dressed child.

The happily expecting couple.

I'm so glad we were able to be together to celebrate the newest Teeny-Fiene.

Family Fun in Indiana: Part 1

The Fienes made plans to all be in one stay at the same time for 3 days.  That rarely ever happens.  Since Mike and Andrina's clan and Christian flew in all the way from California, we thought it was only fitting to have a nice family get together.  The first day also happened to fall on the 4th of July.

 Of course we had to get the kids together for a picture.  These cousins are the best of friends.  I love how they can go a year without seeing each other and just pick up where they left off.  It's beautiful to see.

 Baby Michael isn't a baby anymore.

 Michael loves his dad.  His mom is his first, second, and third choice, but dad is a strong fourth.

 Michael also likes Uncle Hans.  Hans should feel pretty special because Michael doesn't go to just anyone.  I'm still waiting for the day Michael can look at me without crying.

 The children enjoyed playing on bikes and scooters and coloring on the driveway.  Anders was being an absolute toot and driving over the bricks Machara had just colored.  She was good at ignoring him.

 Machara's middle name is Ashley after her aunt and godmother.  She was very excited to see Aunt Ashley.

 The adults enjoyed good food and good conversation.

 The kids had a good time just running around.

 John and Grace, a neighbor, played a little ball with Michael.  Getting that boy hooked on soccer early.  These three were so sweet.

 At the time of these pictures Michael wasn't walking.  When he was on any type of hard surface he would crawl like this.  Now I think he has ditched the crawling and has started walking.

 We used the wheelbarrow to block the alley so the kids could play.  They all thought it would be cool to play in it.  Anders wanted to give everyone rides.  He realized he need to start lifting weights.

 John and Eva are a perfect pair.  They are such goofballs.

So much love.

 With everyone in attendance we absolutely needed to take a family picture.

The weekend was filled with lots more laughing, talking, playing, hugging and smiling.  More picture to come...