One weekend in October we took a train ride from Osceolo, WI, along the St. Croix River.

Abbie makes sure Helen gets a good view as we cross the river.

Lucas checks out the canoes on the river as we cross.

One highlight of the trip was eating jelly sandwiches and Cheetos in the train's dining car.

The kids enjoyed the open doorway in the train's mail car. The train is one of the only mail trains still operational in the country; we mailed ourselves a postcard just to prove we could!

OK, everybody except Lucas say 'Cheese!'

Mark & Shirley came to visit for Lorinda's big 4-0 celebration in the middle of October.

Who needs new golf clubs when there's a box to slide through?

Abbie gets a big smooch from Aunt Teresa.

Lucas shows off his cheetah costume.

Penny checks out Lucas' costume, too.

Up, up, up they go!

Every mother's nightmare...

... x2.

Lorinda helps Mark & Shirley design their custom frames to be made by Chuck.

Teresa, Lucas, and Shirley were mighty proud they managed to use every single one of the 'Rivers, Roads and Rails' cards in this masterpiece.

Mark reads 'Koala Lou' to the kids. For days afterwards, all we heard was 'Koala Lou, I DOOOOOOOOO love you!'

Abbie tries on Grandpa's tilley hat. Looks pretty good on her, don't you think?

We're not sure what exactly is going through Lucas' mind, or coming out of his mouth, at this point.

Abbie and Lucas enjoyed counting the sharks in the aquarium at the MN zoo.

No trip to the zoo would be complete without a ride on the monorail. Or without a family photo to document the event, either.

Both kids chose feline costumes for Halloween this year.

Tabitha checks out the Lego letters Lucas and Chuck built.

Trick or treat!