Free Range on Fairview

Here is one of my favorite pictures of me and my little brother and sister in California. Living out in the "prairie lands" of Ellensburg now, we don't have too many leaves to collect and save but we've got a few pine cones and plenty of snow on the way. I remember growing up and how much joy us kids got out of a day playing in the leaves. Times sure have changed. I try to encourage Dylan to play out side for a while during the day (hour in the summer, 1/2 now that it is starting to get colder) but the biggest draw to have his friends over to our house is the fact that Dylan has a light saber game for the Wii. Oh well at least I know what he is up to these days.

We had a visit from one of my best friends here in Ellensburg, Stephanie, and her new baby Asher this morning and we had a great time. Dylan got to hold the baby and help feed him. He just loves little babies... and he loves to talk. While we were all getting acquainted (since Dylan had yet to see him since being born) he said "Oh how cute he has little ears. Like little dog ears." Then later while I was holding Asher, Dylan came up and stroked his head. "Mom, I'm petting him like a dog!" I'm just glad I know this friend well, otherwise this dog comparison could have gotten a little awkward.

Well Dylan has been at it again. I sort of came up with this, sort of stole the idea from someone else, but I can't remember who, so anyway.... This week we made some scary (although not too scary) ghosts to hang around and outside the house. Cute and easy recycling craft project. Take a white plastic shopping bag, such as one from Safeway, and fill it with two or three scrunched up shopping bags (whatever color you have more of) and push the bags up towards the bottom of the bag to make a ball shape. Secure with a rubber band or something else. Cut the tops of the handles off so the ghost looks flowy instead of loopy and draw on any sort of scary or silly face you can think of. And voila, decoration in no time flat. I hung some from string outside by the front door and taped some up around the mirror inside the front entry. Happy Fall Everyone!!

Well Danielle got registered yesterday and started school today! I know she is a little apprehensive of starting school all over again and having to make new friendships and relationships with teachers. It is such a blessing to have her here with us now and we are excited to see how this school year goes. Danielle is in 10th grade this year and just turned 16 on October 11th! She now has her permit and is chomping at the bit to get behind the wheel any time she can. I have yet to see her drive, but boy, I can't believe she is old enough already. Dylan is ecstatic to have big sis' around all the time and I can feel the more relaxed atmosphere in the house since we brought her back. As required, here is a picture of her first day of school.

Well all I have to say is - it's good to be home. After taking a week to go and visit family and do a little early bird Christmas shopping while Shane was hunting has really taken it out of me. Not to mention the hours of driving I have done over the last week to get Danielle back living with us. Sh got enrolled in the local high school here and will be starting at 8 am tomorrow morning. Everyone is pooped out and sleeping now except Shane who is working and me who is busily typing away and getting emails out to all the MOPS moms in my group. I took this picture of Dylan who fell asleep on a pile of Daddy's cozy camo from hunting. He's going to grow up just like him.