Thanks and Giving ~

At Thanksgiving time, we often share with others all that we are thankful for. My family has so much to be thankful for... we are VERY thankful for all that we've been blessed with - family, friends, health and happiness.

The list goes on (click to see last years list). One of my sisters suggested

we focus on the giving part of the holiday, so we are trying to focus

on how we can GIVE more of ourselves this holiday season.

How can you give of yourself this time of year?

Don't just count your blessings, make your blessings count!

My little students

"She is off to a wonderful start in Kindergarten! It is a great pleasure to have such a special little girl in my classroom. I enjoy her quiet, observant nature and her calm, friendly personality! I am so pleased to notice how much she enjoys her school environment, school activities, and even school work. She always does her best and is a lovely listener and participant! She is well liked and well behaved. I am enjoying her drive to learn, she is an emergent reader now. I look forward to a great year of fun and learning with her!"

"He is off to a great start in Third grade. He has

fantastic comprehension skills. He is a very interesting

and creative writer. His understanding of math skills and

concepts far exceeds that of a typical third grader.

I would like him to work on letting me know when he is ready

to move on to something more challenging during our lessons.

He works hard towards a positive atmosphere in our

classroom. Keep up the great work!"

Happy Halloween

Anakin Skywalker

He and all of his friends decided they were old enough to Trick or Treat by themselves this year. They all met together and cruised the neighborhood for treats (hopefully, not pulling any tricks!). After the big candy trade they hung out at a bon fire next door. The kid is really growing up.

Cute Cowgirl

Seroiusly... Have you ever seen such a cute cowgirl?

She also decided Trick or Treating would be much more fun with a friend.

Handy Manny

With his older siblings out with friends, this little guy was left all by himself.

Thank goodness he's got a fun dad who took him around the neighborhood!

Our Pumpkins ~

The kids thought it was cool to have the pumpkins lit with all the lights out and dad shining a flashlight on them to display their masterpiece!

Halloween Cookies...

Every year we make Halloween Sugar cookies.

This year we made them with some friends

while the kids were home from school!

Thanks for the pictures, Zeeny!

He concentrates very hard while doing his cookies.

They look great when he is done.

I am even willing to send the ones he has frosted to the neighbors.

She usually makes the cutest faces ~ complete with eyes, nose, mouth

... don't forget the cheeks, and chins (those are extra candy to eat).

I don't know what to say - His never go to the neighbors...

I don't even eat the ones he's decorated,

unless I've stripped them of the half dozen candy corn!

So long, Soccer!

We had fun watching our oldest two kids play soccer this year. There were evenings when I had to park my chair right in the middle so I could watch both games at the same time. Go Green! Go Black!

He has gotten really good at soccer this year. He was a great goalie - never letting a ball through the entire season! Goalie was his favorite position.

This little monkey had plenty to do during the games... riding on his horse (AKA my leg) seemed to be one of his favorite activities! I think my right leg muscle is stronger than my left now ~ perhaps I should have switched legs...

A Serenade ~

I found this little rascal upstairs in his room today...

playing his sisters piano and singing a song for someone special.

A Fall photo shoot...

'Tis the Season!

There are so many reasons why our family loves the Fall ~

Apple picking is just one of them...

We were so happy Grandma (pictured on the left) came with us!

I think we picked about 25 pounds of apples...

that is a lot of apple pies, apple crisps and applesauce!

I'm not sure if we were supposed to be climbing the trees... But, we did!

Two teeth in two days!

This picture was taken yesterday...

This picture was taken today...

All I have to say is... the Tooth Fairy is broke!

My Zinnias...

We had a big wind storm which blew a few of my Zinnias over.

We were bummed because they were big and beautiful!

The biggest Zinnia was taller than my youngest two kids ~

and just a few inches from towering over my 8 year old!

First Day of School!

Today was the first day of school for two of my kids.

They were both very excited and had a great morning.

The kids have some great friends in the neighborhood.

Boarding the bus...

He is an old pro! She was excited to get on the bus,

until her little friend got nervous and had to be carried onto the bus!

The little guy was fine until the bus pulled away!

Labor Day 2008

It is always fun for us to host our annual Labor Day Party,

which we have done since we've lived here the last four years.

This year we had nearly 80 (half of those being children under 18)

people over to play volleyball, bocce ball, horse-shoes and

ultimate frisbee... which seemed to be the crowd favorite!

The kids love having so many friends at our house to entertain.

The sandbox is always a big hit with the two year olds ~

Sorry to those of you who'll be washing sand out of your kids hair for days...

This year we ended the night with a few fireworks...

I believe they were illegal, but the kids loved them!

Dancing with the horses...

"Horses, Saratoga Style is a whimsical and unique outdoor sculpture

exhibit featuring 24 fiberglass horses transformed through creative

artistry. These magnificent sculptures were vibrantly brought

to life to tell a story or awaken memories of a unique place or time."

We drive by the horses, but never walk around and look closely at them.

Tonight we decided to take the kids for a walk downtown ~

what we didn't know was there was an outdoor music festival going on...

I think the little guy is dancing... Yes, definitely dancing! The older two are not amused by his dancing in public!

Now she's got the dancing fever!

A visitor...

My cute niece came and spent a week with us.

My kids adore her and wanted to take her to all their favorite places!