Happy Halloween!

The kids had fun trick or treating tonight. We couldn't have had better weather! We had daytime temps around 70 today.

After trick or treat time we got together for a fire and food. Here are a few pictures!

James Had a Birthday!

He is now officially a teen! That makes me happy AND sad. I guess that is what is called bittersweet. I truly enjoy having him as a son and it's a little hard to accept that he isn't a little boy anymore. He will be ready to be on his own before we know it.

James and I went to Subway and a couple of book stores on Friday (his actual birthday). Then we had a little party on Saturday. I made him a heart shaped german chocolate cake as he requested. Of course there was ice cream and gifts! He seemed pleased with everything. So that pleases us too! LOL!

Jim and Barb are in the process of painting their new deck roof. It turned out really nice. I'll take pics when they are finished.

The kids went mushroom hunting with Jim this afternoon. No luck today. But last week Jim found a whole bunch and deep fried them for us Friday night. Oh Boy! Were they good! Also that same evening Paige got chased by a dog on the main street in town. It came running and snarling at her from across the street as she was walking home from Subway. She crouched down into a ball and as it got close she threw her food away from her. That distracted the dog and it ran in the direction of the food. Then she ran in the opposite direction and called us to pick her up. It really shook her up. But she was OK thank goodness!

The next birthday for our family is Lauren's! Oct. 17th!

More later...

Catching Up

Things sure have seemed busy lately! Paige and I have been going to the YMCA regularly. We are enjoying it. We celebrated Damien's birthday on Saturday. Then we helped Chrissy pick up some new bedroom furniture Sunday morning and went to the Scarecrow Festival in Wanatah in the afternoon. We didn't buy a thing at the festival except for some food but it's fun to get out and see what the latest trends are in what they are selling.

One of the things that seem to be so popular lately are quick bread and dip mixes. Tastefully Simple seems to be the main company around here selling them but there also seem to be a lot of others trying to cash in. I wish I had thought of it. Chrissy made the Bountiful Beer Bread for us and we loved it! I looked on the internet the other day looking for a copycat recipe and couldn't believe how simple it is from scratch! The recipe is 3 c. self rising flour, 3 T. white sugar, and 12 ozs. beer. Bake at 375 for 50-55 mins. in a loaf pan. That's it! And they are charging $5.00/mix. You still have to add the beer! LOL! The beer you use makes a big difference in taste. Since we don't drink beer, the first time I bought a single can of Milwaukee's Finest and it was BLEK! Then I used what Chrissy uses (Bud Light) and that makes it really good.

Damien's birthday was fun. He started walking a few days ago! They made a small smash cake for him to do with as he pleased. We thought he would tear into it. But he didn't. He had a sort of disgusted look on his face when he got the frosting on his fingers. He just didn't like the way it felt. I don't think he is used to being messy. Nicki and Jason always keep him really clean and dressed so cute. He had a lot more interest in the gifts and did his best to get them open with a little help.

James' birthday is tomorrow! He was born at 10:46 PM! I can't believe he will be a teen. Time sure does fly! We'll be celebrating his birthday on Saturday.

That's all I can think of right now!