Fritz family pictures

The Fritz clan is getting larger by the year so we always have to capture the new members before the Christmas cards go out.  Pictures went well this year other than the fact that the weather wasn't as nice as we had hoped it would be.  We had a "smiling contest" so that nobody would have frowns on their faces (like Olivia did last year).  The prize - a quarter!  You would be surprised at how many people want a quarter these days!

I will post "entire family" pictures when I get a copy from someone.

Halloween Carnival

The local Community Center hosts a Halloween Carnival every year the Sunday before Halloween.  We decided to go right away this year and it was the best time we have ever had.  Many of the families didn't get their right away, so it wasn't too packed in the game area.  They handed out free hot chocolate, popcorn, and juice - let the kids decorate their own cookies (way to much frosting) - and did scary skating.  It was a good time had by all.  As you can see from the pictures, Rhyan dressed as a Bride and Olivia was the cutest spider I have ever seen. 

The games were fun, but we have one very competitive daughter (Olivia) and then another that is not so competitive (Rhyan) - someday this will be good, but when you are playing games like: throw darts at balloons, pic a pumpkin out of a small pool and check the bottom, and shoot the puck and the competitive one doesn't get it on the first try, but the not competitive one does - it's not so fun!!  

About the Carnival...

Olivia: "I loved the food and drinks."

Rhyan: "Um, I loved it."

High School Musical 3

Finally!!  We have been waiting for High School Musical 3 since the day after High School Musical 2 aired on TV!  I bought the tickets the day before just to be sure the girls would have a seat.  They went with Val (their favorite babysitter), Veronica, & Kelsey.  

About the movie...

Olivia: "I loved it."

Rhyan: "Um, I love Val for my babysitter."  "And Veronica"

Mom: "It was nice to have a quiet night at home."

Playing Outside

The girls enjoyed one of the last few nice days playing outside, building forts, and jumping in the leaves.  They also spent some time setting up a "haunted house" in our backyard with Dad.  It was sooooooo scary!!  Check out Rhyan posing with the scary pumpkin-head man.

Children's Museum - Rhyan

I felt a little like "John & Kate + 8 during our trip to the Children's Museum.  When you look at little kids for that long they all start to look like yours.  I was impressed with the girls behavior - they didn't even ask for food until about a 1/2 hour into the trip!  We all enjoyed ourselves and they had some great stuff there.  The best part about it - all the exhibits are in different rooms - so if you have someone stand at the door - your kids can't escape.  The last thing we did was let the girls get their faces painted.  Little did we know - the spot set up had the kids paint their own!  As you can see from the pictures - they used up a lot of the paint and had to be reminded a couple of times that it wasn't make - up and should be kept off the lips.

Children's Museum - Olivia

Since we were all off from school for MEA break - a couple friends and I decided to take the kids to the children's museum.  The zoo was our first choice, but because of the weather we decided to do something inside.  Most of us had never been there before so we were really excited to go.  It turned out almost everyone else had the same idea as us - it was pretty busy!  The girls had a lot of fun and I am sure will remember the trip for a long time.  

Olivia did just go to the History Museum with St. Anne's - so when I told her that we were going to a museum instead of the zoo I thought she was going to pass out.  Her bottom lip began to tremble and those big puppy dog eyes came out.  I explained to her that it would be more interesting than the History Museum - but she wasn't buying it.  Not until we walked in the door that is.

I realized today that Olivia will either be a rock star or work at the local grocery store.  She showed that she would be equally good at both, but who knows what she will choose.

Evan's 1st B-day

Family and friends got together today to celebrate baby Evan's 1st birthday.  Of course, Evan had a great time with the cake so the girls decided they wanted chocolate faces too.  Dad used Rhyan as his beer slave and Olivia had a great time playing soccer outside with uncle Kapesh & Julian.  Rhyan also kicked the ball around with auntie Julie and held baby Caleb (standing up!)

Batting Practice

This is just a short look at what happens in our backyard.  Craig was home rather early tonight so he decided to play catch with the girls.  Now you have to understand that we have one child that is a little more "focused" than the other.  So, dad proceeds to teach Olivia how to "slap hit" - with her batting left handed.  She did very well for her first time - see the attached pics.  Then it was Rhyan's turn.  As you can also see from the following pictures - she was more interested in doing what she does best - posing for the camera.  We also collected some leaves from the backyard to make art projects.  Surprisingly, both of the girls knew what a "maple" leaf looks like.  For those of you who don't know your leaves, you will be pleased to hear that the greenish-yellow leaf that Rhyan is holding is called "a granny smith", just ask her.                        

The Big One!

This news is a little late, but didn't want to leave the man of the house out of the mix.  A couple of weeks ago, Craig made it out to the lake to do something he loves - he went fishing.  Later that night - he came home with a HUGE catch.  We even had to get out the tape measure so that we could prove to everyone how big it actually was.  Olivia was sooooo excited!  She wants to be a chef when she grows up because dad taught her how to cook up "fish".  

Marathon Day!

< Olivia & Halle


< On our way up the hill!

The marathon was a success! Thank you to everyone who pledged money to help Olivia achieve her goal.  If you were wondering - it wasn't a REAL marathon.  Although, the kids did have to walk a long way (I thought) including down a big hill and back up it again - TWICE!!  By the end, the kindergartners (and their moms - right Amanda:)) were getting a bit tired.  Take a close look at the added pics (we were happy at the bottom of the hill --- not so happy anymore closer to the top!)  All in all, everyone had a good time and we helped raise $15,000 to boot!!  

< Almost done - getting tired!