Happy Trick or Treat

Tommy, Denise and the girls were making the rounds tonight so we could see the girls with their Halloween costumes and they could come trick or treating at our house. Mikaela was dressed like a judge with gavel in hand and Elise was a cheerleader. We had a fun together for a short while before they headed out to other places. The weather was a perfect fall day.

Elise was having fun riding the "bapple", her new word.

Judge Mikaela

Fun Family Memories!

Then and Now

This is the difference of two weeks time on our maple tree in the back yard. The colors are so vibrant and pretty. In two more weeks I am guessing it will be bare - How sad.

Happy Birthday Tommy

Happy Birthday Tommy

It's not what you might think.

Tommy likes to collect baseball memorabilia.

Kathryn and Tommy's birthdays are close together so they shared a celebration and a cake. The combined number of candles should have been 55.

Tommy has only been part of our family now for just about 4 years now. It was just a little over 4 years ago that he and Denise established their relationship and then real soon they were married. We are happy to have you as part of our clan. Have a happy birthday!

Happy Birthday Kathryn

Happy Birthday Kathryn!

Here's to you in earlier days.

Getting ready to carve pumpkins - You looked for the biggest one.

Your baptism

Catching fish off the dock

Cabin fun with the cousins- love the curtains.

You are pretty proud of yourself. I suppose I should have been rushing over to rescue you instead I went for the camera. There is never a dull moment!

Rescuing the abandoned babies. They were so cute.


There's not a cuter clown anywhere.



Getting to know the newest cousin (at the time at least)

I could tell you were enjoying this family picture.


Co-pilot Kathryn


Yummy!

We knew someday that you would drive for a living! - What a natural.

I hope that you had a nice birthday - We love you

Bloggin' Buddy

I have talked my friend Karen into starting a blog so she came over tonight and we are having a fun time setting it up. Oh yes, we have had a few laughs. Someday I will write about our chili story - bet you can't wait.

MEA Break - What Joy

It has been a refreshing time to step back and have a few days of rest and catching up. Having a break that is not connected with a holiday is truly a time when there are not other expectations to uphold. In past years we have taken at least one of the days and had a little fun away from home but decided that this year I wanted to just be at home. I was able to catch up here a little, finish the book I had been reading, have lunch on Friday with kids, and do a little bit of sewing. The quilt I started this summer is waiting for its borders and I was able to get a start on them. The way I figure it the border has something like 475 different pieces of fabric sewn together and mind you it is just a wall hanging. I do like the looks of it so it is worth the effort. I will be sure to post a picture when I get it finished but don't hold your breath it might be a while. As Saturday has dawned the break is half over and there are activites planned for the rest of the weekend. Tomorrow we will be celebrating Kathryn's 24th birthday and Tommy's 31st. That will be a lot of candles on the cake and a lot of fun too. God is good.

Fall Beauty

It is approaching mid October and the colors are changing and the air has a nip in it. I took some pictures this afternoon of a few of the trees and flowers that we have in our yard. I love fall , especially when the days are mild and warm, the nights cool and just perfect for a bon fire.

Just a few leaves are turning red

Beautiful mums that survived from last year and bloomed again


Fall and pumpkins - Ahh, beautiful

Thank you Lord God for the beauty of fall!

Walking Toy Was A Hit!

This past weekend Tom, Denise and the girls came over for supper. We grilled and the supper was really good. Afterward Ellie demonstrated her developing skills at walking, she is actually taking her sweet time about it too. I had saved a toy that Mikaela had that you can walk behind and she was quite excited when I got it out for her. It was a little slippery on the hard wood floors so we took it downstairs and she trotted back and forth several times before deciding it was more fun to climb on the stairs.

It is Hard to Say Goodbye!

This weekend has been a mix of emotions for me. Karen, one of my best and longest friends here in Rochester is now on her way to Georgia. God has provided a job for them there and I know He will make them a blessing to many but I will miss her a ton. Through the years we have had many a laugh - sometimes to the point of hysteria. We helped each other through graduations, showers, weddings, funerals; worked on many a special music numbers , Patch programs, cantatas, as well as canning corn and making apple pies. One of our favorite memories is making chili for the weekend retreat at camp. Oh yes, we have enjoyed a good laugh from time to time. I have included a few pictures that I have of some good times together. I thank God for such good friends and will be praying for you, Jim and Karen, as you make your home in Georgia.

Jim and Karen at our cabin in norther MN.

One of my able helpers at Brian's graduation party.

Our kiddos all dressed up for Halloween.

Karen directing and prompting during a Patch the Pirate production that we worked on together. It looks like she is having fun doing this awesome ministry.

Sunflower Success - Do Wonders Ever Cease?

After all the hoopla of trying to grow sunflowers this summer and discovering we had a nice crop of ragweed I noticed something unique growing in my flowerbed. I had to go outside special to investigate what it was and could hardly believe there was a sunflower blooming in amongst my lilies and petunias. I figured it deserved a place on my blog since it was destined that we would have at least one sunflower this summer. Actually there is another growing as well though it still hasn't bloomed. Do wonders every cease?