A Pleasant Evening, and then..."a bump in the night!"

On Sunday, October 23, we enjoyed a pleasant dinner with Mike, Corissa and their children.  The weather has been cooling off in the evenings, so we all went for a walk after dinner to enjoy the weather and see some Halloween decorations in our neighborhood.

When we arrived back home, we enjoyed some home-made apple crisp and gave Mike and Corissa their anniversary gift "early"!  They will celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary on October 28!  Amazing how time flies! 

Grandpa had a fun time entertaining Landon!  We will "entertain" both children this weekend so Mike & Corissa can "escape" for an anniversary celebration!  We wish you much happiness for your special day and many more happy years together!  We love you!!!

At 12:30 a.m. on Monday morning, I awoke from a sound sleep to what I thought was a ringing doorbell....Naaah, it couldn't be!!  Then, I thought I heard someone knocking, so I jumped out of bed, and realized my cats were all scurrying away from the noise too.  The knocking became louder and louder!!  I looked out the peephole of the front door, without glasses, and I couldn't see anything but a hand!  Whoa...I ran to get Vince, who was still soundly sleeping!  (He used to be the "light sleeper", but guess those days are gone now!)  Anyway, after waking Vince, and retrieving my eyeglasses, I went back to the front door...realizing it was a policeman who had been knocking and waiting!  I cautiously opened the door, and the officer immediately apologized for the "late hour"--I'm sure I looked fairly bleary-eyed!  He then proceeded to ask me, "Is this your scarecrow?" as he pointed at my fall decoration by the front door.  I said "yes" and he then explained that my "scarecrow had been borrowed" by some young boys, and they admitted to the police when apprehended that they had taken it from our front porch.  The police officer said he was able to stop the pranksters from smashing too many pumpkins, however, he was obligated to ask me if I wanted to "press charges" for the theft. In all seriousness, I looked over at Mr. Scarecrow and replied, "since there doesn't seem to be any physical harm or damage to him, I would not need to press charges."  The officer thanked me and went on his way...and Mr. Scarecrow continued to smile!  He probably had loved his little "joy ride"!!

OCTOBER BREAK!!

One week in October is designated "October Break" in our school district.  It's timed to start soon after the end of the first quarter...by then, everyone NEEDS a break! ;-)  I spent some time at home catching up on a few projects:  fun things like paperwork at my desk, cleaning out a closet, running some errands and reading.  The highlight for me, however, was my "escape" to Strawberry, AZ to stay with my folks at their little house in the woods for a couple of days/nights.  The weather was beautiful!!  I helped with a few small chores, but enjoyed their company immensely. I also enjoyed sleeping through the night without cats waking me, and daily naps in the afternoon.  Woo-Hoo!!

One morning, Mom and I went "into town" (Pine, AZ) and shopped at a couple of stores; our favorite is always "Moose Mountain"!  If you've never been, it's a great store filled with unique gifts and collectibles.  One night we ordered pizza from "Mama Joe's" in Strawberry...really yummy pizza!  It's around the bend from the Strawberry Lodge as you head to Pine!

The apple trees are loaded with fruit this year, and on my last day, we did pick a bucket full.  Some are small but surprisingly sweet! 

 They even had a few beautiful pears on their pear tree...

Mom and Dad, thanks for being wonderful hosts!  I appreciate all the delicious food, and reminiscing with you was especially meaningful!  Until next time, I better get going on that apple cobbler I promised to make for Vince!

FALL & FAMILY...

Fall is in the air in Arizona...mornings and evenings are cool and makes me want to get outdoors and enjoy the weather!  I'm sure it must be the same for people who live cooped up all winter inside away from the COLD...but here we escape to the indoors because of the HEAT!

We hosted a family brunch for Vince's brothers and families yesterday...it was a wonderful chance to see everyone again...as too much time had passed since we were all together.  Unfortunately, Martin, Kim and Troy were unable to join us due to Troy's baseball tournament in Peoria.  We pressed on, however, and enjoyed four hours together!  Above are cousins, left to right, Alissa, Michael, Austin, Josh and Josh's wife Beth.

Here, right to left, are my daughter-in-law Corissa, niece Natalie, and Giana who is Austin's girlfriend, all "cousins" in their hearts!



My son-in-law, Alan, was keeping his eyes on the little ones--Cailyn and Landon are bundles of energy, for sure!  Note the "gel stickers" all over Cailyn's doll, Bella--she was pretending that those were barretts in her hair! ;-)

After eating, we enjoyed relaxing on our patio...catching up on the family news!  Later, Art and Vince went to the pond and "netted" some mosquito fish from our pond to share with Art & Dianne for their backyard pond.  We have plenty of fishies to share!

Landon and Cailyn took good naps in the afternoon.  Here's 8-month old Landon wearing his Ohio State-wrapped doc-band, along with his ASU football jersey!!  He's crawling all over now, and pulling up too!  There's no stopping this little guy!

SLEEPOVERS!!

A few weeks ago, Cailyn had asked to sleep-over at Mimi and Grandpa's house, and we were thrilled to oblige her request!  She arrives in time to eat supper on Friday night, and then we enjoy playtime until the bedtime routine begins.  Cailyn likes pretending with playfood and dishes, and she "bakes cakes" to enjoy at tea parties.  She loves dollies and stuffed animals, so "dress-up" is always part of her playtime!

                                         Mimi decided to unpack some older dolls so

her grandchildren can play with them too.  The Cabbage Patch dolls (circa early 1980's) and one of Mimi's old dolls (the doll on the far left) was named "Patty"(circa early 1960's)!  Cailyn was most interested in Patty's plastic shoes and the eyes that open and close.  I had washed Patty's dress and it held together.  The doll's hair definitely needs a "make-over" but not sure how to fix that!

Cailyn is sitting on the bed that she sleeps in at our house, in her Aunt Alissa's old room.  She enjoys looking at the "stars" on the ceiling where Alissa placed them in 1999. After playing dress-up and dolls for a short time, it was time for a bath!  Cailyn enjoys her baths...likes to comb her own hair after it's washed.

After bathtime, Cailyn enjoyed some bedtime stories with Grandpa.  She especially loves to look at photo albums!

On Saturday mornings, Grandpa makes a special breakfast, usually pancakes or waffles.  She loves to daintily dip her waffles into the syrup and loves her orange juice in the morning too.  After breakfast, while it was a tiny bit cooler outdoors, Cailyn enjoyed playing in the sandbox, and she enjoyed some "swing time" too!

Cailyn loves our "Baby" kitty!  Of course, it helps that she's the only cat that lets Cailyn get close enough to pet and love her!  Sleepovers are a special time, and we look forward to all the future ones...one of these days, maybe even little brother Landon will be able to sleepover too!

6 months old already!?!

Before Landon is 7 months old on September 3rd, thought I would blog a little about our darling grandson!

Considering his unique birth story, and cranial surgery at 2 months of age, Landon is such a happy baby!  This recent picture shows Landon without his "helmet" because the new one was ordered. He grew out of the first one in early August, so he's had a 3-week break from wearing one.

Landon wears his doc-band as if it isn't there at all, with never a frown or fuss! The new one is on his head this week! Landon is a delight to cuddle, feed and hold.  He is eating rice cereal and has started veggies now too...the orange ones first!

Landon laughs,coos, and is becoming more vocal all the time! He is sitting up...and is scooting on his knees already!  He's teething, so we're expecting to see the first tooth anytime now.

What an absolute joy these grandchildren are...it's an amazing journey to watch their development and growth, to see their little personalities develop!  We thank God each day for these precious blessings!

End of Summer for Me

I've been back to work for two weeks, but my "end of summer" vacation was complete when I was invited to watch my granddaughter splash in the swimming pool with her daddy...at Aunt Alissa and Uncle Alan's community pool in Power Ranch!

Cailyn had lots of fun with a borrowed noodle, and enjoyed catching her plastic toys in the "fishing net"!

By next summer, maybe Landon will join Cailyn in the pool too, and they both will enjoy the sunshine and water together. Thanks for including me in your water fun play time!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VINCE!!

August 5th is a day to celebrate....my husband's birthday.  He wears many hats: brother, brother-in-law, nephew, son-in-law, husband, dad, uncle, great-uncle, cousin, friend, and last, but not least, grandpa!  He likes baseball caps, and fishing hats, but you'll never see him in a golf cap.

On Sunday, July 31, our Arizona children gathered here at home for a family meal to honor their Dad for an early birthday celebration.  He requested one of his favorites, so I made homemade manicotti shells (crepes) on Saturday, and made meatballs/sausage in the Italian gravy on Sunday.  Vince likes to make the sauce, so I certainly appreciate his help!  After dinner we made an attempt to photograph "Grandpa" with Cailyn and Landon.  I probably took a dozen photos; Mike was snapping pictures too.  Here is my "best shot" and it's just "ok"!  Landon has a great smile, but whenever I get ready to snap the picture, his expression changes.  I think he sees the red eye reduction light go on! Cailyn's at the age where it is either the toothy grin or she is a moving target...looking away as I take the photo! Vince enjoyed one of his favorites for dessert; I made his Mom's Ice Box Cake and we all enjoyed that.  It's so easy: chocolate pudding, bananas, and graham crackers.  Yum!

Today, we will find ourselves enjoying dinner after work at Joe's Real BBQ in Gilbert...it's one of the local restaurants that gives you $10 towards your dinner on your actual birthday!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VINNIE!!  I LOVE YOU!!