October 26, 2006 Autumn's Birthday

The kids and Andrew spoiled me with beautiful cards that made me cry, lovely lotions, silly socks with spots for my toes (the girls LOVE those, so I have many pairs) , the Casting Crowns cd with my favorite song "Who Am I", etc...plus a lovely brownie and vanilla ice cream cake. Than to top it all off we went out to my favorite Chinese Restaurant to eat General Tao's Tofu!!!

Thank you for all of the wonderful phone calls and the singing...it was a special day.

Shady Knoll Pumpkin Patch
October 25, 2006
Play date with our friends, Laurie, Ella, James, Marteen, Jade, Cylar, and Cabrie

The kids had a great time just running around and being kids!

Samantha at her strings ensemble practice. The group is playing their first concert at the Festival of Trees in Davenport, Iowa on November 20th.

Pony rides at the "Pride of the Wapsi" Pumpkin Patch

Ocober 15, 2006

"Pride of the Wapsi" fun on October 15, 2006

Pride of the Wapsi
Long Grove, IA
October 15, 2006

This was a wonderful day filled with lots of animals...kittens, bunnies, hedgehogs, monkeys, ferrets, an albino skunk, cows, goats, ponies, etc. .. :)

Pride of the Wapsi

Long Grove, Iowa

October 15, 2006

Apple Picking in Coal Valley, Illinois!

We've already made 10 apple pies since Sunday! They are so lovely and super "duper" good for you! :)

Makaela's violin arrived September 29, 2006!



Here is Makaela and Teacher Sink at her first lesson. She is doing really well! :) She can already play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and "At Pierrot's Door." She is a delight to teach and is catching on so easily. I think all of the years of watching Samantha have made this a natural transition for her.