Halloween

J * E at a house where the adults handing out candy were dressed up too!

Scary girls!!!

J went out dressed as "a shadow"

Me working on J's makeup

Only J*lia went out trick-or-treating this year. It was a rite of passage year for the boys! B*n had to work on Friday night, and T*m -- with his commitment to swimming and health -- decided he really didn't need the candy (and besides, he said, 14 is a little old for such childish things). J*lia went out with her friend Emily (F & I came along), and T*m stayed home to hand out the candy. It is a little sad to see the trick-or-treating come to and end.........but only a little! (and we have a few more years with Julia!)

Swimming

Tim has made a renewed commitment to swimming this year, after a couple of years of being pretty ambivalent. He has made it to all but two practices this fall (beginning in August), and has been working hard. In the last two meets, he took LOTS of time off his events --- like 15 seconds off his 200 IM (Individual Medley) time, and 36 seconds off his 500 Free. He is VERY happy ......... got out of the pool at one meet and said to his coach, in all seriousness, "Who would have thought that going to practice would make such a big difference?!?!" Lucky for him his coach has a sense of humor........

Beautiful Days

I just love living here! These are pics I took while walking around this past weekend.....some are of our church fair ("Pies on the Common"), and the rest are just neighborhood shots!

Fall in New England

Wingaersheek Beach
Me, Toby, and Annie!
Toby loves the pond
Frieda and Connie

Pics of Frieda and her friend Connie (visited from Texas last weekend), and me and the dogs. We had lovely walks on Wingaersheek Beach, and in the state park near our house. Fall in New England is the BEST!

And More Birthday Girl!

The family party was on Sunday --- the REAL birthday. J*lia picked the menu --- barbecue! So we had ribs, pulled pork, BBQ chicken, corn, black beans.....YUMM! Phil Walcutt joined us, as well as Connie -- a friend of Frieda's from Dallas who was visiting for the weekend. (And of course, me, Phil, and the boys!)

The food was one major highlight of the party........favorite gifts were a microscope (from Dad), a magic kit (from Uncle Phil), the book "Brisingr" (from Mom), and a gift card to Claire's with the promise of a shopping trip (from Frieda).

Don't mind the dyed hair! :-) They tell me it is a phase.......

Birthday Girl!

Miss J turned 9 on Oct 12. Lots and lots of fun! (October is a big birthday month in our house --- Auntie Gretchen has a birthday on the 20th too!)

Friday night was the kids party at Fun & Games --- laser tag, video games, dancing, and a great Uno's dinner (courtesy of Auntie Gretchen). These are pics from that gathering.

Birthday Boy!! 14 years old

Tim laughs at a joke card
Julia joins in the laughter
Just what he asked for!!
Opening gifts
Uncle Phil!

Tim was 14 yesterday, and we had our traditional family party. The birthday person gets to choose the food (Tim chose Indian food!), and we all gather round for dinner, cake, ice cream, presents, and usually a lot of laughs. Last night was no exception! In addition to all three kids, me, Frieda, and Phil, we also had the pleasure of a visit from Uncle Phil who has not been able to make it to the last few parties (a long drive from Maine!) Notice that Tim is now taller than Uncle Phil!!

Tim wanted an electric guitar more than anything. I think I had pretty much convinced him that he was not getting one --- too expensive, too noisy, he doesn't practice enough, etc. But Phil and I collaborated and bought him a beautiful bright red Fender --- he is THRILLED. Now he has to save up for an amplifier -- let's hope it takes a while! :-)