Vote

How about my new outfit for the blog here, folks? Is it a thumbs up or thumbs down? Now, before you go getting all critical on me, let me explain. After I uploaded all those orange pumpkin pictures, it occurred to me that orange and pink don't match. So, I tapped into the ole template menu and found this one. I realize that this is the same one that you used, Mom, but since no one goes on yours anyways, I figured I was good to go. (I'll just let everyone think I came up with this color scheme all on my own.)

Pumpkin Pickin

Picking a pumpkin is no easy task! Growing up in my house, the rule was, "If you can carry it, you can have it." When the kids were told this, Matt took off for the monster pumpkins. He wasn't out there just to get a pumpkin, he was out to prove his manhood! Sadly, the first set of pumpkins that he embarked upon could not even be remotely budged by him. He sure was huffin and puffin, giving it all he had, though! He then moved one step down. These pumpkins were still a stretch for him. He would bend over, get it an inch off the ground and drop it with a heave. He even tried to roll it up his legs like the strong men do in their competitions. I said, "Let me clarify the rule, 'If you can carry it and it makes it to the car IN ONE PIECE, then you can have it." Finally, he found one that was just his size...barely! He carried it a little way, stopped, put it down and took a break. Picked it up, go another two feet, stop for a break. Pick it up, go another foot and a half, break time again. I'm happy to report that he and his pumpkin made it to the car safely.
For Mary, picking her pumpkin involved much, much more! -like ridiculously more!!!!!  It had to be just the right shade of orange, it had to be perfectly round, and the stem not too long but not too short, it had to be smooth, no bumps, and absolutely NO dirt on it whatsoever. (considering the birthplace of a pumpkin, that one by far was our biggest challenge!) She walked around, touched, and picked up just about every single pumpkin! She critiqued them all. Needless to say, she was the last one to pick out hers. Mom and I said, "How about this one, Mary?" "Oh, I love this one." "Hey Mare, if I was going to get a pumpkin, I would definitely go for this one!" "This is IT, Mary! I found THE PERFECT ONE!" Finally, we resorted to, "Time to go home, Mare." With that said, she bent over, picked up the pumpkin that she was closest to and went on her way. (I don't know why I didn't think of that WAY sooner!)
Mikey didn't care about his manhood. Nor did he care about shape, color, stems, bumps, or dirt. He picked his out and was ready to go get an ice cream.


Emma followed Matt over to the monster pumpkins. Only Emma would challenge her big brother to a strength test. We told her how strong she was and whisked her away to "baby pumpkin land" where she found one just her size.

And last but not least, our Annie...first of all, I don't know why she looks like Casper the friendly ghost in this picture but it was the only one I took of her and her pumpkin. When she entered the sea of pumpkins, she squealed, "BALL!!!!, BALL!" She found herself the tiniest pumpkin and was just delighted with it. She would only hang onto her pumpkin for a few seconds because she was absolutely convinced it was a ball. She threw it, we would give it back to her, and say, "No Annie. This is a pump-kin, that's puuuhmp-kin." She'd throw it again. As we were standing just outside the tent, Annie's pumpkin went rolling by with her running after it yelling, "BALL!! BALL!!" I've given up. This afternoon, she threw it down the driveway and screamed, "BALL!" Let's just hope we've got her convinced before she plays her first soccer game.

Guess who found my lipstick?

My little "stinkerbell" found my lipstick and decided that it was her perfect shade. One swipe around the lips wouldn't do. She went for 3,467 swipes around the lips. After I confiscated the lipstick, I went for the camera. I said, "Now, look at mommy's camera and say, 'One year olds don't wear lipstick'!" Somehow, I don't think she will be heeding that.

Happily Ever After

Wednesday, September 20th was my Papa and Grandma's 59th wedding anniversary! I love looking at their wedding picture. (I wish I had taken a picture of it to post here.) The year was 1947. I think it would be so neat to grow up in that generation. My grandmother's dress was beautiful. The only way I know how to describe it is romantic. Beyond her beautiful dress, you are drawn to their sweet smiles and eyes that sparkle for each other. It is precious to see that 59 years later, their smiles are sweeter and their eyes even more sparkly! They love each other dearly and it is obvious with the way that they care for one another. When I look at them, I look forward to growing old with my honey.



Ahhh, youth. Remember the carefree days of rolling down hills and running back up for another round? I can't tell you how many times they rolled down this hill. And they did it with the same excitement and giggles on the 10th time as they did the first. If I dared to attempt this, I would either
A.) have tossed up all my celebration cake -a major disappointment! OR
B.) still be laying at the bottom of that hill.


Emma wanted to pick flowers for Great Grandma. The problem was that she decided to pick one right out of Great Papa's garden that he spends hours tending to! I said, "EMMA! quick throw down that flower!!!!" Now, just lean over and smile.


We had a special time at Papa and Grandma's. Oh, I didn't tell you who was all there. It was Aunty Mary, Mom, all of us and Grandma's brother, Uncle Lou. (who wanted me to give you a warm hello, Kristine!) It was a wonderful day! Wish you all could have been there...well not really or we would have had to share the lemon, raspberry cake.

The Happiest Day in Mary's Life

Mary's dream of playing the violin is about to come true. Grampy and Grammy took her to the music store to get her very first violin, yesterday. This was a big surprise for her. We met Grammy for lunch and then Mary went home with her. She had no idea that Grammy was about to take her to the music store. I kissed her goodbye and she climbed into Grammy's car, just happy to spend a day with her. I told mom to call me as soon as they got it. A little while later, my phone rang. I answered it, and all I heard on the other end was a high pitched, squeaky violin sound and then lots of giggles. Mom told me that when they got to the door of the music store, she bent down and told Mary why they were there. Then mom said, "Mary's eyes got as huge as saucers and she was just grinning from ear to ear." This is truly a dream come true for Mary. When she was 4, she saw a young girl play her violin in church. Ever since that day, she has been asking to play the violin. Mary has always loved music and I think she is really going to do well with it. Watch out, Reptevia, my Mary is the next "fiddler on the roof!"

A "Mate" Moment (ok and that would be pronounced "ma-tay")

Our friends, Mariano and Becky came over this weekend. We had a blast, drinking coffee and mate. (and again for those of you that did not read my subject line. That is pronounced "ma-tay".) "Mate" is a tea that they drink in South America. Mariano is from Argentina and so he introduced us to the whole mate experience. I have to admit that while I was drinking through the straw and passing it to the next person, I felt like we were doing something illegal. But rest assure, it is legal, it is tea and actually...it is good! Mariano said that when they all gather together in Argentina, they would just pass this cup around and people will take turns sipping it. So, that's exactly what we did. After about the 4th time around, Beck and I returned to our coffees while Joel and Mariano continued on. Joel went nutty with the whole mate experience. I mean, don't get me wrong, it was good and all, but to Joel "mate" is his new best friend. He absolutely LOVED it...like weirdly loved it. We'd be in the middle of a conversation and he was sitting in his chair, sipping every last droplet and suddenly, he would burst out and say, "OH MAN! I just love this stuff!" We would slowly look his way and smile and continue on our conversation for another minute before he'd burst out, "AWW MAN! THIS STUFF IS AWESOME!" Again, he got the pleaseant smile, as if to say, "We're glad you're enjoying it, now calm down."

So, after about the 20th time of this, we were like, "ALRIGHT ALREADY! WE KNOW, YOU LOVE IT!!" Because of this new found love, Joel wanted to know if they sold it here in the United States because he wanted to go out and immediately buy his own mate. Well, he didn't have to go far cuz Beck and Mar presented him with one of his own today. I think that is truly the best gift he has ever received! I swear he is sleeping with his sippy cup right now! So, thank you to Beck and Mar. Until our next "mate moment"...

Psalm 19:1

Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God;" This verse kept running through my head when I took this picture. I will never stop being amazed at the sunsets that God has given us. Sometimes, I feel like Heaven must be right behind those clouds. I hardly ever use the word, "awe" because that word demonstrates such power. In this situation, however, it seems fitting. I truely stared in awe at the sky that night. It had just rained. The fog was lifting off the mountains. The sun was setting and the colors filled the sky. It was breath-taking! It makes me wonder, if the sky on earth can be this beautiful, well I can't even imagine the beauty that we will behold in Heaven some day!

Our Baby

Our little "baby" isn't so little anymore. I'm realizing how quickly she has grown from "baby" to "toddler" over night. Annie is definitely her "daddy's girl." When he comes home from work, she squeals "DAD-DEEEEE" so loud, I'm surprised you guys down south can't hear. (tried to be REAL vague concerning your "where abouts"...don't want to blow your cover, unlike some other people I know!) Annie started playing "mommy" today. Problem was that she picked a dolly that was just as big as she is and she was trying to lug it all around the house. -now,maybe she knows how I feel! She is also into the "shy" thing. If she does something cute and Joel and I stand back and watch her, she will ever so slowly look up at us and then cover her face with the back of her hand. It's so funny to me that a one year old will get embarrassed over the proud looks that her daddy and mommy give her, but not the least bit embarrassed to be wearing a diaper. The other day, we all climbed into the car. I put Annie into her car seat next to Mary. Mary glanced over at her and then exclaimed, "Look Mommy! Annie only has 3 rolls down her arms instead of 4!" Yes, indeed our baby girl is growing up and if 3 rolls down the arms instead of 4 rolls is a sign of growing up, then maybe, just maybe, there is hope for me yet!

Nannie Annie or Mary Poppins?

Welcome to Aunty Annie! She is staying with us for a little bit. I told the kids that Aunty Annie was coming and she was going to be helping Mommy around the house while we home school. Then I said IT! Emma will never ever let me forget it...I said, "It's kind of like having Mary Poppins come live with us." Emma's face broke out in the hugest grin and I do believe that she heard the "Hallelujah" chorus playing. She said, "MARY POPPINS COMING TO MY HOUSE?!!!!" Emma is still waiting for Mary Poppins to show up. She even asked if Mary Poppins could sleep in her bed. I've given up trying to convince her that I was just using Mary Poppins as an example and she will NOT be making an appearance. I think I may just throw on a goofy little hat and trench coat, grab my umbrella and go outside. I might as well go ring the door bell and stand there with my toes pointed outward. If ya can't beat em, join em, right?