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Last night Ian stayed over at our place. This morning with a little chill in the air we thought a fire would be cozy warm.
It didn't take very long before the three of them fancied toasting some marshmallows over the fire. I thought it was a grand idea... toasted mellows at 6am. Just don't tell Lisa. Ü (Dylan and Bella were still snoozin') |
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I simply *love* autumn! There is something about the mornings turning crisp, the whistling of the tea kettles, the freshness of the apples, the warmth from the oven after baking something yummy, the feel of the fireplace as it roars to life chasing off the chills, the sun setting sooner bringing on eventide at an early hour, the coziness of a hot water bottle under the sheets, the comfort of a favorite sweater and most importantly, the amazing array of colors! I love to watch the trees change color. I am always amazed as the trees that are singularly one shade all year round, suddenly burst forth into a rainbow of color. I love the way the trees are all so unique, some going straight from one shade to another without any lingering in between, those that will change color as if brought on by a blush with the color creeping slowly up them, and then there are the other trees that seem to take delight in showing their ability to tint each and every shade imaginable. The autumn in our family brings out a lot of eye rolling and “yes, moms” by the kids as I am continually stunned by the color show. I can’t help but point it out as we drive around town, it most certainly must be redundant to hear, “Oh! Look at that tree. Look at those colors!” but I just can’t keep in the wonder. I am always stunned to see the depths of Gods love in the spectrum of color on display in the fall. Such simple pleasures He grants to us, such a glorious canvas He paints. I mean really, have you LOOKED at the way He changes those leaves? He pulls out all the colors in His crayon box just for our delight each autumn. I can’t help but be astounded that we get to witness such beauty in such an ordinary place, along the streets of our towns and in each and every neighborhood, no need for a long drive into some secluded spot in the mountains, He brings it to us to shout His magnificence. Heaven help my family if I ever get to have that autumn on the East coast that I am longing for. Can you imagine, they’d have me driving around wearing duct tape. Can you blame me though? Go outside and see for yourself! You’ll *LOVE* it too.
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We used our Sunday brunch this week to celebrate Papa and Grandmama’s birthdays. (Dads birthday is Tuesday and Moms is on Thursday). This week with my dads work schedule,
So, we had our Mexican themed brunch with a tostada and burrito bar complete with all the trimmings, cheese enchiladas and a margarita cake. It was all yummy.
Sundays are a good day to just rest and relax together… and read the pape, of course. lol.
The kids were amazed by the silly putty we picked up. It’s the simple things, really. Ü
Bella and Sierra waiting for the gifts to be opened.
Me & Add, just because.
Bella hard at work.
Dev showing Papa how to navigate his new Ipod… these new fangled devices, I tell you!
Because you’re both number ONE in our books. (not to mention the fire hazard involved with the correct number of candles)
* We will still get to see them on their birthdays… We will see what we end up doing. * Ü * |
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We spotted this license plate the other night and just had to grab the picture. Of course, the boys and I couldn't agree on who they meant... I assumed they meant Donna Lupton, Dev assured me they meant Devon Lupton and Dyl was convinced it was meant to be Dylan Lupton. |
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Ya, I know! Who'd bring a camera into the polls? Oh, ya... me.
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Getting his ballot turned in. Everything's kosher. 
Your vote counted Devon. Good boy. |
We had a nice Sunday here and hope yours was blessed as well.
Today’s Sunday Family Brunch menu was Italian. Yum.
You know how Addi loves to decorate cakes? Well, my mom put her to work making some fabulously Italian themed cupcakes for dessert. How cute is that?!
Very fitting for an Italian Menu dont’cha think?! The kids couldn’t wait to dig on in.
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Suzanne
Sierra
Bella|
Enough said. Ü |
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The kids and I went to church, where Devon played his violin with the band and both he and Addi sang with the choir. We heard a message about
Today we had a baked potato bar, crunchy salad and coke-a-cola cake. Everything was scrumptious! (Don’t you just love a good stuffed baked potato?)
After lunch we played a few rounds of Mexican Train Dominoes… It was a new game for my family- and we loved teaching it to them.
Then it was time for Devon and Addi to be at choir practice followed by the boys at youth group. I ran to the store with my sister and then Addi and I stayed over at her place to chow on our Chinese take out. When it was time to pick up the boys, we headed home and watched an episode of Monk. (Have I mentioned that we love
It was a lovely Sunday. I am so enjoying the time to gab, play games, chow and just be together during our Sunday brunches.
Next weeks menu is Italian food… Yummy. |
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So the boys have gotten the roles of Lost Boys, Twin 1 and Twin 2, in the MTF play At this moment I am just so glad it is fall – the sun is rising later so all of us are able to snooze a little longer. Rehearsals at this point are M-F from 6:00-9:00. Since last night was Friday… We HAD to come home and have our traditional pizza and movie night—so our evenings have started to get a tad bit later—making the late sunrise a huge blessing and a necessity! There are going to be 16 performances. The last day of their obligation is December 14th - from now until then they have only 6 days without rehearsals…. So this is a huge commitment! The rehearsals will stretch in hours and days right up to the opening curtain. So… we are officially stuck in The first two weeks are all about the music, the third week is only for the dancing and then in week four they start to put it all together. The cast is a fun lot. The boys are enjoying their time so far. (Dylan missed the Monday- Wed due to our cruise…we drove back into town at 5:00 on Thursday, with just enough time to pick up Devon and head downtown) (The last performance that MTF did had a $64,000 budget for sets & costumes … They are fairly serious about their theater productions so hopefully this one will come together beautifully, will be a great learning experience for the boys as well as a fabby memory maker! What fun for those dress up kiddos of mine. LOL) So, we will be here-- hanging out & sleeping in for the next coupla months… Looks like a few road trips will have to wait… Oh well, there is always |
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We had three days at sea where we were able to spend our days…. laying in the sun, playing card games, swimming, watching movies, watching shows, participating in the ship games, classes and lessons, playing miniature golf, and really enjoying our time to be a hobbit. (A hobbit? Oh, ya… the food was wonderful and abundant! We were laughing about our breakfasts, second breakfasts, elenvenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, supper… ) It was so nice having those three days on board the ship to do nothing but relax and enjoy each others company. We also had two shore days that we greatly enjoyed! The first was in Our second shore day was in We arrived back in
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Horseback riding
In Cabo
Lunch in town was SO yummy!
At the Arch
At the ranch
Love the fruit cart
On Board ice carving demo
He won.
Towel folding class- Dyl's doggie head
I won.
Time to stroll the deck