Ode to Angela

Earlier this week I went outside to enjoy fall by photographing its beauties. It was quite nice. So, as I was taking pictures of our MASSIVE Black Walnut tree (it is so big it would take two adults to hug its trunk) I thought of Angela. So, Angela, this photo of a tree is dedicated to you:) I hope you enjoy. 

Angela McMannus, for those of you who do not have the pleasure of knowing her personally, is my cousin and one of my dear friends. I love her perspective on life and her sense of humor, style and general friendliness and kindness to all people. She has served in-numerable hours helping people who others would look over without a thought. She is a TRUE non-conformist (and I say that with all the respect and best definitions of the word). So, I raise my glass of friendship and respect to Angela. I love you girl!! 

New Dining Room

We repainted the dining room in the last month or so. It looks so much better without the dark green trim (see July 2008 post Home). These shots are kind of an around the room view. There will still be some tweaks to make, like replacing the picture over the stove. The next project on the table is repainting the dark red trim and touching up the walls in the living room. 

pictures

My days have a way of getting away from me. Some day in the not to distant future I will update with more than pictures and let you all know what we are up to. But, hey, pictures are the most fun anyway:)

Our growing boy- he will be 1 on the 25th and he is working on his 8th tooth!

Ethan helping Grandma Martin and Mommy make applesauce

Wrestling with Daddy!

Football fans

This one is for Uncle Jourdan! The boys wore their Redskins gear to church this morning. I hope they win this week! We did all we could:)

Sunday night stroll

Just a few new photos of the boys. We went for a walk to the park last Sunday night. We stopped and got ice cream on the way home. Mmmmm!!

Ethan's expression is priceless!

"This is my eagle. His name is .  .  . Eagle."

Franken-penguin! (Earon, for some reason I thought of you)

Goggles fall under "cool attire" when one is 3!!

Science Project

A couple of weeks ago Earon found a monarch caterpillar for Ethan to watch. It was our science experiment:) It was pretty neat, especially once we found a home for it other than the kitchen counter. It was not pleasant to cook with a green thing squiggling in a jar just a couple of inches away! Anyway, in a surprising short time it spun its cocoon. It never did anything while we were watching. I guess it is like watching anything grow; you can't actually SEE movement while you are watching, but leave for an hour and come back and you can measure a difference. One day we noticed the caterpillar hanging by its tail. We went out to run errands or take a walk or something and when we returned, there was no more caterpillar, only a smooth, beautiful, green cocoon. It had these fantastic gold sparkles on it, too. They would catch the light and glitter in an amazing way. The butterfly came out in similar manner. We noticed a change in the color of the cocoon and we went for a walk, when we came back, there was the butterfly!! Watching the hand of God in the minute loveliness of nature is an awesome thing. So, that was our science experiment:) 

Ethan and the jar as the butterfly is strengthening its wings

There it is!

Outside, stretching and strengthening its wings

Balloon Festival

A week and a half ago we went to a hot air balloon festival. It was fascinating to watch those giant bubbles of brilliant color float up into the sky around us.  They just slowly drift heavenward with no sound or sudden movement. It was quite delightful.