Halloween Eve!

After a LONG week of some type of flu that gave the kids fevers, coughs and caused much missing of school (and work!) ... I think the kids are finally on the mend. No school today due to conferences, and tonight was the Halloween Parade & Costume Contest. TJ has "aged out" of being able to participate, but he went along for fun. After many years of playing the role of the cute trick-or-treater, this year Abby chose something on the cute-but-bewitching level. Here she is as we were heading out. Nice to have some fall color still around for a backdrop.
Click on the pics for a larger view.

As we were driving into town, we got to take in a gorgeous fall sunset. TJ took some great shots as I drove. Enjoy!

Signs of Fall

Raking leaves, playing in the leaves, color in the neighborhood, jet skis in the driveway instead of at the marina ... fall has arrived!



Top that off with a little pre-season basketball practice this afternoon for TJ ... and would you believe Abby is eating boxed, decorated CHRISTMAS COOKIES that Mitch brought home from the store? Geesh! Can we please have Halloween before they start selling us Christmas?!?!

Fall is Here!

We have had a cool start to fall, but now the leaves are turning and the sun has come back out from behind the rain clouds, and it feels a LOT nicer. Fall is a great time of year here in this part of the country, and the changing seasons are my favorite part of living in the Midwest.

And early this morning, TJ and Roxy enjoyed a warm dip in our hot tub ... well, Roxy stayed on the outside of the hot tub for companionship, anyway ... complete with steam since it was only 39 degrees outside! It's cool getting in, but you are so warm when you get out that you don't even feel the cold. It's way better than using the hot tub in the summer when it's warm ... which we rarely do!

Haven't made it to the pumpkin farm yet, but hope to do that soon!

Happy 20th Birthday, Drew!!!

Today Drew turns 20! No longer a teenager and already such an incredible young man. Twenty years ago on October 6 I lived one of the best days of my life ... the day I became a parent. And the day we began our journey as a family.

Twenty years. Two decades. Many happy times past, and many more to share.

Happy Birthday Drew! Wish we could see you in person today, but I'm glad we just got to see you this past weekend. TJ and Abby (and Roxy) have some birthday greetings they would like to share ...

Carthage Homecoming Weekend

We had a great trip to Kenosha this weekend to see Drew and take in some Carthage homecoming events. It was our first visit with him since moving him into the dorm about 6 weeks ago, so good to see him. He was very busy with campus activities and not feeling his best ... so we didn't spend a lot of time together, but had a great visit anyway! The kids loved the homecoming activities and a hotel swim is always a treat.

(Click any of the pics for a full size view) First thing Saturday morning we attended a scholarship recognition breakfast for Drew, then he was off to choir rehearsal, parade and game. He is part of the pep band and so had parade and game obligations. We enjoyed the parade and sat close to the band at the game, and they bring lots of fun to the day with their music and chants.

We ended up going to dinner without him since he didn't feel his best, and he really needed some rest before he started his RA shift that ran from 8:00 pm to 2:30 am ...

Sunday morning I attended the homecoming church service on campus where I got to see him sing with Carthage Choir, and enjoy some other campus ensembles. Then it was time to head home and get ready for the week. Good to see him, tomorrow is his birthday so it was especially good to see him right before and take some bday treats!