Pilgrims and Indians

Today we had one pilgrim and one Indian represent our family in celebrating Thanksgiving as only elementary school children can. Jennifer's kindergarten class presented a little program for the parents as pilgrims and we enjoyed a really good meal of turkey, mac n'cheese, corn, dessert (a preview of whats to come this next week!). Taylor's first grade class all dressed as Indians and enjoyed a pizza party and had fun doing crafts such as weaving and other activities related to Indian lore. They know all about this as they visited a replica of an Indian village a few weeks ago and learned a lot about how native Americans lived many years ago. The school stuff is behind us, let the cooking and shopping begin.

Happy One Month, Penny!

Chuck had to work nights and Penny and Sara decided to come spend a few days with us. She turned one month old Nov.6th, she went to church with us on Sunday, and over to friends house afterword. This morning she's just chillin'. Chuck is off and came home too so we'll all celebrate Emilee's 18th birthday tomorrow together :) Life is good!

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 :)