Happy Birthday to My Daughters

24 years ago today, our family was blessed with two beautiful daughters.
It is a delight to be a part of their lives.
Join me in wishing them a happy birthday and many more!

Happy Birthday, Sarah and Becca.

Sights of Halloween

Halloween is in the air.  It's getting colder and days are shorter.
Halloween decorations are popping up all around the neighborhood.

 The witches are celebrating on a friend's table.

 Making cards with friends - this is one of Mary Kay's.

Our neighbor's pumpkins are all carved.
My Halloween cards went in the mail today.
Are you ready for Halloween?  What will you be doing?

Family Visit

My son, Will and his family were here for a visit this last weekend.  It was great having them here.  Quality time with my granddaughters is just the best.  They left early Tuesday morning.  I miss them terribly already.

 Some crafty fun with Grandma Jan's supplies.

Como Zoo

Comparing M's hand size to the polar bear's paw.  

M: 'Can we just keep going?  No more photos.

The polar bear was bored and took a nap.

Here are some pretty poses just for Grandma Jan and Grandpa Bill.

Out to Lunch

It was a beautiful day on Tuesday.
Time to take it outside and enjoy the weather while we can.

Relaxing outside.

Some of the sights in the area:

In our neighborhood:

- Ah, Fall.  A beautiful time of year.

Twin City Marathon - A Fall Tradition

It was a beautiful Fall day in Minnesota and a perfect day for the many runners.  It was not too cold and not too hot. There were beautiful leaves and lots of cheers and encouragement for all.
Bill and I were there to cheer them on too.  Here they come!

There were beautiful bright leaves; some so bright that they don't look real, but they are.

We stopped for coffee and bread at a local bakery on our way home.

It was another beautiful Fall day.  Hope you were able to enjoy it too.

Fall Begins: Almost

The tree colors are just beginning to change.  Most of the leaves are still showing their summer green.

But here and there a bright red or a bright yellow is starting to shine through.  It will be very colorful here in the cities in just a couple weeks.

We had a very windy Wednesday this past week.  The flowers were bending with the wind.  It was sunny and crisp - a great day to be outside if you don't mind being pushed along by the strong, blustery breezes.

Time to turn the page on your calendar!  Today is October 1st and it's another beautiful, sunny, crisp Fall day.  What's the weather like in your neighborhood?

Afternoon at a Play

Bill and I saw 'Much Ado about Nothing' at the Minneapolis Guthrie Theater today.  It was Bill's birthday present and the date finally arrived.  The play was great and we had a great time.

It was a beautiful afternoon and many people were out enjoying the nice weather.

This looks like a fun way to tour the city but it can't be too safe if they have to wear helmets!

And down the street we had a look at the Viking stadium with its new roof.

Scrap Fest 2011

FUN ON SATURDAY:
Lona and Jessica drove down from Pine City, Tami joined us and we all spent the day at Mall of America creating crafty stuff and shopping for new products.
We had a great time and made new friends too.

SILLY AND FUN!

We won these t-shirts!

Fun all day long.

MAKING NEW FRIENDS:

With Some Friendships Renewed:

Our Favorite Cosmo Cricket Characters - Julie and Lindsay

Did we have a fun weekend?  Yes!  We're already planning this annually - you come next year too.

Happy Birthday, Liz

Why didn't I think of this earlier?
I just read the wonderful story of Liz from her sister Grace HERE.

And here's my contribution, Liz, for a happy birthday and a great year:
I love this person who married my son. She is a wonderful mother, wife and friend. My son picked her all by himself and I couldn't have wished for a better daughter-in-law.
I love this family. I just wish they lived closer - Arkansas is a long way from Minnesota. Boo Hoo. But on the good side, it's a great place to visit. And we get to see all of Liz's wonderful, silly family when we visit.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LIZ. Hope it was a great one. And if you didn't get our package yet, you have something to look forward to later this week.

Love from the family still in Minnesota!
Come visit us soon.

A Great Afternoon Outside

We were outside on this beautiful day making plant pictures in Laurie's backyard. We used fresh leaves and flowers on a wet canvas with paint, let them dry and there you have it:

Fun afternoon out in the sun and using the rays productively for beautiful prints.

More prints:

And the participants having fun:

What did you do today?

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