now who's the scary spider?

Kate, Erin, and Annie, respectively, all wearing the super-scary spider costume. The costume was a hand-me-down from my good friend Ruthie. I wonder if she wants it back....I hope not. We still have to get one more kid in this one!

Kate's Halloween party

Erin and Annie and I were lucky to be able to attend Kate's Halloween party at school yesterday. The girls had so much fun. Erin followed Kate around the entire time like a love-struck puppy. (funny, that never happens at home!) It was fun to see Kate in all her school glory.

fall

good weather....good leaves....good kids....good times.

Ian Mateo

Our family was so very happy to welcome Ian Mateo to the world this morning. He is the son of Dan's sister, Liz, and her husband, Sergio....and little baby brother to Danny and Ryan! He weighed 8 pounds 5 ounces and baby and mama are both doing great! Welcome, Ian! We can't WAIT to meet you!

last farm day

We're always happy to come and sad to go. The sun came out about an hour before we left...figures! Next year we'll hope for a sunnier fall visit, but I don't think the girls minded one bit.

grandma-love

hot chocolate

The best thing about a cold and rainy day!

more farm pics...

This may have been the first farm visit that Kate was more interested in playing ball with Roxie the dog than in feeding the goats. (don't worry....the goats got plenty of corn and leaves (?!) Whatever the activity, though, and whatever the weather, all she wanted was to be outside. Erin, on the other hand, has an outdoors tolerance of about 10 minutes in inclement weather before she wants to go back inside "for a long, long time!"

(close to) heaven

Charlie is the cat I rescued from the Peoria Animal Shelter in the fall of 1997. He had huge, lion-like paws and for a kitten, he was amazingly klutzy. I loved him the minute I saw him. Charlie, and later Willie, and I had 7 good years together....before I met my cat-allergy-ridden husband and chose love over cat and shipped them both to my parent's farm. I think they've lived out their best years there ..... happy, happy, happy to be able to be outside or in .... and my Dad has pampered them and loved them and spoiled them. Willie died last year and good old Charlie, I'm afraid to say, is seeing his last days. The girls spent three days showering him with love and affection and I will admit to a teary good-bye in the basement before we left. Good boy, Charlie. You have been such a good boy.

Annie, in from the cold.....wet, soggy pants off...waiting for Grandma and Kate and a warm bubble bath!

learning to sew

My mom's gardening genes and sewing genes have clearly skipped a generation. Kate loves all things grandma.....and whatever grandma is doing, Kate is doing. Here she is learning how to do her first stitches....making a blanket/skirt/fancy thing for her doll, Susie.

rainy farm days

The girls and I just spent several wet, rainy days at the farm. I have many, many pictures to post! One of the first treasures found was an old suitcase with Grandma's old dresses. Kate was delighted, to say the least, and Erin was a good sport.