One more Boo....

2pm..son Mike called and we talked about what the girls were going to be for Trick or Treat tonight.  He said they had a dress rehearsal a couple of night's ago at "Boo at the ZOO" and Bailey had been an ice cream cone. I asked what Emma's outfit was.  He said "Mom, I'm not telling, You'll just have to come up tonight and see. She was quite the center of attention.  She had lots of comments asking where we got her outfit and her personality fit it perfectly.   Strangers took pictures of her. No one could find her head."  No one could find her head??? I tried and tried to get more information but alas to no avail. All afternoon I was so curious, and could hardly wait to see....

 So we got there and were greeted by the ice cream cone...

 Saw the beautiful table setting...

Then entered the baby chick... 

literally!

So funny, we laughed for five minutes!

Here's the whole family on Halloween.

Lori's family, Mom- Becky, Dad- Jim, sister- Jamie and husband- John

Emma and me

Jamie and Emma

Jim and the chick

the guys gave out candy...

while the girls went Trick or Treating.

Till the chickie wore out and had to go home to bed! 

All Saints Day...

Besides being Halloween, today is Reformation Day in the Lutheran church...the day Martin Luther chose to nail the 95 thesis on the Castle Church door at Wittenburg .  I love hearing the reformation hymns.  It's no coincidence that Luther chose this day to change things.  Here is an interesting link that I found on the blog, the Mommie Diaries if you'd like to read about it...Martin Luther's Reformation Day.  Happy All Saint's Day!!

4 Generations

I know this is a really grainy, small picture but it's from  my phone since I had forgotten my camera. I was happy to have it anyway since it's hard to get family together sometimes.   This is Larry's dad who is almost 90 and our grandson Bryden who is 10 months old.  Joe was so happy to see the baby and just enjoyed sitting and holding him. Irene (Larry's mom) isn't able to hold him because she is a little more fragile. When I look at the two of them I think of the "circle of life" and how special it is that Joe and Irene get to see this generation.  My parents never got the chance to see the last 2 great grand children and my mother saw none at all.  She would have loved  being with them!  I often think of the mundane "little" things she would have been amazed at.  Right now Bryden has started walking and saying little words, he imitates things....clapping and waving bye-bye....things that make you so happy to watch the second time around! I don't take for granted anymore the gift of life and how even the little things are somehow just special. Joe did no more than hold Bryden for a long while.  Thank good ness this little "on-the-go" guy was somehow perceptive of the mood in the room and sat quietly.  It may have helped that it was nap time and he was tired, but he sat like he knew that he needed to be good.  Joe just absorbed him and  it was sweet to watch. 

Don't you wish that the world was like that?  So happy just to be here that we didn't have to have terrorism or bullying or problems like that?  Life is short and we need to enjoy it.  If you are lucky enough to see 4 generations,...you are so blessed!!

Hmmm, I'm on 3, yowie! 

Halloween Socks....

Time to get out the Halloween socks!!

 Grandbaby Bryden's first outting...I think Mama is more excited than he is, ha!

 Ready to go for this first adventure....

 It's a little cold out here...

 Up the street come the treaters...

 Neighbor Joan's grandaughter Emma....what a beauty she is!  She has the lead in "the Nutcracker Suite" this year!

 and the best witch of all....(hey, it's not me...)it's Scoobie!!

Pumpkins...(Weekend Part 1 of 3)

Larry felt good today and we got an invitation to go see the girls.  The weather was gorgeous for a trip so off we went to see these cute little pumpkins!!!

Bailey had gotten some new toys that you take apart and put together so she was showing us how they worked...

Emma had been napping and just got up...in such a good mood, so sweet!!

Then she got dressed...

and posed for me.  I've been trying photo editing and they make the perfect subjects! 

These are pumpkin hats that I found at a craft bazaar last weekend...I could hardly wait to try them on the girls...

Thank you Bailey & Emma!!

And last but not least,...a family shot!

Halloween Party (Weekend Part 2)

Tonight we were invited to a Halloween Party given by Kathy (Whispering Pines) & Jack.  They go all out when they have a Halloween party and decorate the whole yard!  Upon driving up to their house, we were greeted by this haunted house in front of theirs!

Here is the hostess with the most-est...a pirate wench!

They had a bon fire which smelled great, but hardly needed it since the weather was so nice.  It was fun hearing everyone tell stories!

The kids went on a trip up to the "Creepy Woods" for a haunted ghost story.  They had lanterns on the path with balloons lit by glo sticks for atmosphere...great!!  You knew when the story was over when they all screamed...ha!

Kathy, son Craig and grandson Taylor....a fun Halloween party!!!

-the start of a good Halloween for sure!!!!

it's really here....(weekend part 3)

Today is that day I have put off and dreaded....Fall Clean-up time!!!! At least it is warm out, but then it always is for a few days this week in October.  Yesterday was my sister Lynn's birthday.  It is always nice out on that day!  I think God just wants it to be an extra little blessing in honor of such a special person!!!  (Happy Birthday Lynnie!!)

 Time to take all the cushions off,  placemats up, planters down, sweep and wash it all off one last time before packing away.

Here is that 4th of July red, white and blue tub that I got from Wal-Mart for $5 that I just had to have!!! Now I must find a place to store it until spring when it will come out pink, white and green.... 

 A little sad to take all the dying plants out of the bridge planters...looks so bare.  Did you know potato vines grow big red things under them that look like radishes??  I didn't...

 Then I took out the screens...well, some of them anyway and got out the windows.  Heavy!  Those of you that have new replacement windows, be very grateful!!!

 Umbrellas...down...Fall fell.  See you again next year.

I Love...

~this view from my kitchen window.   This time of the year, the trees turn golden and when the sun shines, the whole kitchen relects it.

And I love...

~my messy refrig that has all the faces of the people I love,...my mom, our children, the grandkids,...Emma's baptism announcement, a painting by Cooper...

And

~I love the grandchild sitting here, (and the others that are not...) eating lunch.  He has a baby bruise on his cheek.  Walking like a drunken sailor will do that to you!!

How to make a pumpkin...

I owe so many people "thankyous" for all they did for us in the last couple of weeks...so, besides a note, I made these little fall decorations  to hand out to friends.

I saw this craft on another blog here and thought that they were so much fun!! She posted a tutorial and hers is better than mine but will show you what I did anyway...

I cut paper strips about an inch wide and 15 inches long.  You can make them larger with longer strips and wider depending on the look you want.  Alabama Mama made different textured and patterened papers too which was more interesting than mine...FUN!

Make tendrils for the leaves by curling with a bone folder or wrapping around a pencil...then cut leaves. 

Punch a whole and put all ends, leaves, and tendrils into with a paper fastener...

Then begin fanning the strips out until unwound like a pumpkin!!!

VOILA!!!