Happy Halloween

Taylor and Jennifer have never gone trick-or-treating. For that matter, neither has Emilee, really. We've been to church fall festivals and such, but living out where we do, we don't get trick-or-treaters nor do we really have anywhere to go. So this year, we had good friends invite us to come to their neighborhood to see what all this hoopla is about. Last year they and their neighbors averaged around 450-500 kids per house, and we just had to see this much fun. Off we went trick or treating, stopping by my parents house first, to show off the princess and cheerleading costumes and then off to trick-or-treat land! We walked all over that neighborhood, Taylor and her BFF, leading the way, and Jennifer and the cutest little boy ever, wearing his cheeseburger costume, following closely behind. Jennifer and Charlie finally just couldn't take another step so his mom and I headed back to candy headquarters while Taylor, Sofia and Emilee along with Sofia's mom finished up the task they'd started...to get more candy then they could ever imagine. What a fun filled night, thanks to friends who shared their neighborhood and their home so we might finally know why all those costumes and candy are in the stores!

Freedom 4/24

Saturday, Emilee and I completed a 5K for an organization that rescues young girls sold into sexual slavery in Thailand. Every minute, two little girls are forced into a world where they are exploited, often bought from families who have many children at home and the parents are told the girls have the opportunity to go into the city and make a living and send money home, not knowing their children will be made sexual slaves to an evil industry. Freedom 4/24 rescues the young girls and gives them the chance at a life and hope for the future. We were proud to participate in this event (www.runfortheirlives.net). I ran for a little girl named Khae. Next year the whole family will run!

More Camping

Last weekend we went camping at Smith Mt. Lake. Its not the beach, but I'd be OK with a lake front home for quick getaways. The weather was beautiful, the girls had such fun playing, even Slinky enjoyed the trip. S'mores ruled at night, and we even visited a pumpkin patch (but of course as usual, I forgot my camera).

Penny is growing up without me seeing her! She's now over two weeks old, I can't wait to hold her again. Sara and Chuck are supposed to come in for Em's 18th birthday on 11/09 - she'll be a whole month old by then, can't wait!

We visit Penny

Yesterday evening we got to meet Penny for the first time. She is just so perfect, I think she may be a strawberry blonde like her mom was when she was born, time will tell. It took us forever to get to the hospital - we'd gone to Sara and Chuck's to check on their animals for them and then we headed for Richmond but MapQuest messed us up and my sense of direction finished us off, but finally! we arrived and it was worth the drive! I can't really put into words how wonderful Penny is, and how proud I am of Sara in making sure she and Penny are both safe and healthy and a happy family. Chuck has spoiled her already as you'll see in the pictures - can't wait to visit her again!

Introducing...Penny Jean!

Yesterday I took Sara to her doctor's appt. She came out and said, they are admitting me! I got to help get her checked into the hospital. I was thinking, this is it, Sara is going to have this baby soon! And sure enough, she started having contractions...no one believed her for awhile but finally they listened and sure enough, Sara was ready to have her baby! So this evening my oldest daughter made me a grandmother, Tom is a grandpa, we couldn't be any prouder. Penny Jean is 7.1# and the cutest baby alive. More to follow, but here's a picture to get the party started :)

Introducing the ocean to Jennifer

We had not been to the beach all summer,so we had to just take one week end to show Jennifer the ocean. The weather is beautiful, and we now have another convert in the family, another little beach bum. We saw this beautiful little baby girl, a strawberry blonde who was just learning to walk, and I thought about Penny and how she's going to love the beach, her mom will make sure of that.

This place makes the world stop and all is right in the universe when you can put your toes in the sand...

Happy Birthday, Taylor!

Today was Taylor's big day, her 7th birthday, and she drug it out over several days to make it last. When Sara came home for her birthday, Taylor got presents from Chuck and Sara and my parents. Then yesterday, we took treats in to share with her class at school. Taylor decided that she just had to try out tent camping as she'd lived almost 7 yrs and had not lived that experience, so last night, Tom, Jennifer, Taylor and I went tent camping at Otter Creek on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We gave Taylor a new bike as she'd outgrown her old one (which Jennifer inherited). The camping trip was labeled a success and we'll definitely be doing that some more!

Then today, Taylor's best friends came and shared some good fun, and, of course, birthday cake and ice cream. Taylor is blessed with such awesome friends, and I am blessed that these friends come with such great moms. Taylor reported to Tom that while she and her friends played, "the moms just chatted and chatted". Everyone is so busy, it was such a treat to hang out with my two friends, I could've spent all evening with them, time does fly when you are having fun.

Tomorrow I go spend some time with Sara. She just found out she's got to be on 'bed rest' the remainder of her pregnancy. Penny is letting her know early on that she wants to control things (Sara was always kind of bossy so I expect Penny to give her a run for her money). I am taking DVD's, magazines, hopefully some comfort food, to make Sara's down time a little more bearable.

I am the luckiest mom in the world, I have such great girls, and can't wait to add another girl into this family to love. Hold on Penny, we're getting ready for you, can't wait to meet you!