Witches at Gardener Village 2011

Time for the annual witches post! I think our secret is out because it gets busier every year! It didn't completely piss me off this year though so we were doing well! The kids love to get their faces painted. Here is Maddie's Hello Kitty.Of course the boys have to be TOUGH! Here is Trey's tattoo.....and Topher's..................Maddie, Kennedy and Topher in front of the piano playing witch.Topher and Maddie sitting on the rock wall so they can watch the ducks. The Boat Witch is in the background.This one is our favorite. Witchypoo! Stinky!!!!!!!!!!!!Look at this sweetie! She is hard to impress! Tim, Topher and I were making extremely funny faces and making complete dorks of ourselves to get this smile. I think she knew everyone was staring at us and wanted to make us use our full dork potential. As always, it was a blast. We didn't stay as long this year and we were missing quite a few people (you know who you are!) Later we went and played with Grandpa and Grandma Grames, then went to Mom's house for pizza and Foul Play. Great day!!!

Tune: Good Time - Alan Jackson

Punkin' Carvin' 2011

I think this was our best punkin carvin party yet! Here is our yummy witches brew. The adult brew was EVEN BETTER! Hahahaha!
Liz and Bryce made this super cute pumpkin cake. It was YUMMY!

We are SO serious! Punkin Carvin is NO laughing matter!!!This is a funny pic. Not quite sure what Dave is doing???...............Trey getting into it!Yummy!!!!!Topher was very professional this year. He had planned WELL in advance what type of carving he wanted to do. He also busted out his kit that he won last year in a pumpking carving contest!Success!What's at the bottom of a pumpkin????Finished!!!Dave knows how to do it!!!Gooey!!!I think the adults may have had more fun than the kids.........Tim hard at work... I love the look on everyone's face. Because Dave used his drill, his pumpkin took like five minutes.Topher's scary pumpkin!Okay, here is our contributing to the delinquency of a minor photo. Dave is looking to see if Rachelle is watching. Leave it to us to corrupt the youth!Wow Dave, how much did you give her????? (just kidding. The beer wasn't even opened yet and we just happened to catch her with her eyes a little closed. I promised Rachelle I wouldn't put this on Facebook, but I didn't say ANYTHING about not putting it on the blog!)

Trey with his finished pumpkin.Tim with his. Can he EVER take a normal picture?Topher with his finished pumpkin.Payton with his.Melissa with hers!Last, but not least, Bryce with his.Here they are in the dark.....woooooo oooooooo ooooooo!So during the evening, we ate potato cheese soup with crescent rolls (to die for!) Then the boys got rowdy. Here is a sampling of the all star wrestling that went on!Not sure if Dave is winning or if the kids are.........What a great time! Thanks to Lisa for sharing some of her photos with me. Next time we need to make sure we get at least ONE with her in it! I promise she was there though! Can't wait for Punkin Carvin' 2012!!!

Tune: Chariots of Pumpkins - John Carpenter

Last Camping Trip of the Year - Little Sahara 2011

Well dear reader, the time has come. Time to put the trailer away for another year. This is always a sad time for me. On the bright side, it was a GORGEOUS weekend filled with great weather, awesome friends and good times. I was REALLY lazy and didn't get my camera out very much. I only got pics on the first day of Bryce being buried in the sand.................and Topher. Of course when you get buried, we HAVE to give you boobs. Consider yourself lucky if that is ALL you get!!!

I didn't even get a pic of Tim being buried, but trust me.....he was! I am so lucky to have so many good friends in my life and this weekend we made some new ones too! Until next summer....adios camping!!!!

Tune: When They Come For Me - Linkin Park

Topher's Field Trip to City Hall

Topher's class got to go to City Hall. Pretty cool, eh? Here he is in front of the waterfall hamming it up as usualWe got the tour from one of the officers. Got to see where the "thugs" go.Evidence lockers....Jail.....Police car, woooo hoooo!Then we went to the tower and checked out the city. Pretty neat!Then Topher got to pretend he was Mayor. Check out the look on his face. Is he my kid or what?Big pic with the real mayor!Then we went to a grocery store! Our favorite.....the bakery!Yum!We had a great time. I am always glad I can go with my kids to their field trips. Luv u Topher!

Tune: City Hall - Vienna Teng

Moving On

Quit my job as assistant director for the childcare food program. Loved the job and the people....couldn't take the uncertainty caused by my boss. When one door closes, another one opens. I will miss my co-workers SO MUCH! Fortunately I get to see one of them still. I will miss all of my daycare providers. Big list to call and say goodbye to. Anyway, can't wait to see what the future brings. I am excited to start using my $30,000 piece of paper that I have adorning my office wall (i.e. my bachelor's degree). Love to all of my buddies who read this blog. Have a great day!


Tune: I'm Free - Kenny Loggins