Dog Whisperer

On our walk, Ashton took up conversing with every barking dog in the neighborhood (see videos).  Humorous, to say the least!  He makes sure the 3 firstborns in the family keep the mood light - his goal is to make us laugh, and he does a pretty good job at it!

 He truly loves his highchair.  Why that doesn't really relate to a true love for eating, well, I will never quite figure out.

This is one of those timeless photos

Fall Walk

Here we are, on one of our last autumn walks with the leaves briskly blowing about (because now they are all mushy from the snow!).

 Ashton has no concept of private property lines

 Yes, we even took the mutt!

"Oh Yes I Did" Sunday

Ever since my surprise trip to Arizona to celebrate in Mom's 50th birthday (er, I mean, 35th birthday - LOL) the computer has eluded me.  I swear it hides behind the kids, and of course, the boys' needs always come first.  So here I am, nursing an all-night migraine on the couch as Andy and the boys fellowship and praise God at church and South Paw is curled up on the ever-plush king-size bed.  I have been known to blog "Not Me Mondays", but on this crisp, clear autumn Sabbath, I bring you "Oh Yes I Did Sunday."  Enjoy! 

Oh yes I AM watching Fox News as I blog.  The litany of political arguments stimulates me!

Oh yes I DID somehow smash our little red camera just a day before my Arizona trip and ended up with zero pictures of my own from my whirlwind jetset.  (But thanks to Aileena and Grandpa Freddie for sending me their pics!)

Yes I DID just tear up at Boeing's Veteran's Day commercial saluting US Veterans.  I am ever grateful to Dad, Uncle Morgan, Grandpa Freddie, Grandpa & Uncle Max for their service to our great country.

Yes I DID jump up and down when Andy offhandedly mentioned the possibility of upgrading our 4Runner sometime next year.  I am convinced that besides Range Rover Sports, 4Runners are the most impressive SUV's.  

Yes I DID attend a town council meeting to show support for a paving-improvement petition for our neighborhood - and loved every minute of it!

Yes I DID book babysitters both Saturday AND Sunday evening.  I sure love having undivided time with my Andy. 

Yes I DID have to tell Aiden to use his sleeve rather than the couch to wipe his drippy nose.  Washing his shirt is just 10 times easier than the couch cushions.

Yes I DID calmly bake cookies with Ashton screaming, crying and tugging at my legs because he is going through a horrible attachment phase where sometimes he won't even let me put him down to go to the restroom.  Poor toddler in denial that he is exiting the baby stage!

Yes I DID just listen to the entire Steven Curtis Chapman Christmas album while I took a shower and got ready.  (And with no one home, I sung along to my heart's content!)

Yes I DID just make an entire post with no pictures after a super-long blog absence and grandparents sending me hate-texts demanding pictures of their grandsons.  Hehe!

Oh, Autumn in the Northeast

This world is not my home.  Therefore, no one particular place makes me feel like I should stay for very long.  But there are so many fantastic places in this world to travel.  And at this time of year, the Northeast is the place to be (what a coincidence that I live here!).  For my Arizona clan, you must imagine COOL air.  I know, it'll be tough since our highs are your overnight lows.  Put your imagination caps on!

Sharon, here's the rosemary in bloom!  Who knew?!

 I am glad I left this weed alone - I think the berries will turn red!

This plant makes me wish for snow!

And these are my wonder-plants: they came up from last year's forgotten roots - I don't think this picture does the purple much justice - they are very vibrant

I think this chair is beckoning me, a steamy mug of coffee & my favorite sweater

Thanks to my creative neighbor, this is my view out the front!

And thanks to my creative Creator, here's my view out the back door!

Sick-O

Aiden was down-n-out Wednesday & Thursday.  He just stayed in bed, with high fevers and wouldn't eat a thing.  I took him to the doc, but of course, it was just a virus.  In the darkness of Friday morning, he was yelling that he was hungry.  After a 4am breakfast, he was back in all his glory by first lights: singing, flying Matchbox airplanes, and talking non-stop.  He talked all day - right through nap-time and even through me singing the goodnite serenade of "Jesus Loves Me."  At least he was feeling better (or so I had to remind myself throughout the day when I could no longer hear my own thoughts!)

My Random Thoughts for Today

Praise the Lord that Aiden has made a total recovery from his virus.  He woke up jabbing about his new planes ... and he hasn't stopped for over an hour.  Andy and I think he's making up for his "lost" 2 days.

Zicam chewables are just about the nastiest things I've ever eaten.   They're so bad, in fact, that I'm taking them back to the grocery store.  And everyone who knows me knows how I am not a "return" type person.  I'd usually rather just lose the money than mess with an excuse to return merchandise, but these were exceptionally horrible!

Aw, the sun is finally out!  I had forgotten what it looked like!

I truly cannot survive without coffee.

I truly appreciate the little things in life: like the task lights under my kitchen cabinets - couldn't make cuisine masterpieces without them!

Andy wasn't counting on me knowing "Naboth" when I sealed my victory over him in Bible Challenge last nite!

Where Have I Been?

Where have I been, you ask?  Well, obviously not at my computer!
Like all good wanna-be politicians, I have been:

 Kissing Babies...

Supporting New York State's efforts to keep lakes clean for future generations...

And local plants thriving...

Local parks as well...

Then there's carpooling...

Supporting children's attendance at private schools...

Also supporting local mom-n-pop restaurants...

Stopping for photo-op's with my constituents...

Feeding the hungry...

Keeping a tight reign on air traffic in the neighborhood...

Secretly contributing to that hole in the ozone...

 But supporting the rescuing (and spaying!) of stray dogs, non-the-less...

And last but not least:

Taking a bit of R&R to gaze into my Lover's eyes.

Afternoon Snack

After naps, the boys usually get a little snack before dinner.  Today was no exception to the norm: Ashton was signing for more pears, and Aiden was too involved in his Leap Frog reader to notice his food, despite the fun plate!

Labor Day BBQ

We were long overdue for a party at our hacienda - it was such a pleasure to have so many old friends, new friends, and neighbors over.  Thanks to all those who pitched-in in the kitchen and a big hats off to all those delicious desserts ... many of whose leftovers have already been devoured!