Yes, I'm Behind...

I haven't posted since before Halloween! Goodness gracious, I wish I could give you a good reason why, but I can't.

Today will be the first of my catching up posts. Halloween was such fun this year. We went over to Jessica and Adam's house for trick-or-treating. They live in a great family neighborhood. Tons of kids. Tons of parents out with the kids. Lots of houses decorated to the hilt with scary or funny costumed characters in attendance. The kids got a lot of candy (even Storm!) and they looked very cute in their costumes.

Here's a peek:

Storm chose a Mutant Ninja Turtle costume (haha)

Storm's 1st Halloween

Cowboy, Turtle, and Super Girl patiently waiting to go trick-or-treating 

Let's go already!!

Katie, Thunder, and Sunny at one of the decorated homes

Wow! Great haul for his first time out

Grammy Day Care

We've had a busy two weeks at Grammy Day Care. Sunny was on Fall Break from school for a week and we enjoyed extra time with her. Storm started coming three days a week after Columbus Day. So I've had one or more grandkids four days a week for the past two weeks. Whew! I'm tired!

Here are photos of some of our fun activities:

Sunny is great at entertaining Storm

Storm loves to play with the Octopus

I don't know how I got this shot of him in the mirror!

Practicing sitting up

Sunny and I had a "girl's day" so of course we baked cookies

Ta da! The finished product

Gigi came over for some playtime and reading

Papa rocking with Storm

Thunder, Gramps, Storm

Yes, we offer manual labor at GDC!

Don't you just love Thunder's sense of style?!

It takes confidence to carry off this look.

Assurance vs. Fear

If you know me, you know that I am a news junkie. My dream family room is a wall of TV screens with all of the major news channels showing at once and running 24/7/365. I am obsessed with politics, current events, and human interest stories. I know, it's a sickness!

Yesterday as I was glued to the screen watching the events unfold in Canada, my heart ached for the people of our neighboring country. I know that yesterday was the day that a "new normal" will begin for Canada, just like 9/11 was the beginning of a "new normal" for the USA.

At one point, as I watching the eye witness accounts, a song popped into my head. At first I thought what a strange thing to think of at a time like this. But then I realized that it was an affirmation of assurance in the face of fear.

I serve a Risen Savior,
He's in the world today.
I know that He is living
whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy,
I hear His voice of cheer.
And just the time I need Him,
He's always near.

He lives! He lives!
Christ Jesus lives today.
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life's narrow way.
He lives! He lives!
Salvation to impart.
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

Praying today for Canada, indeed for the World.

See What I Made!

While visiting JD and Janel in Kansas, Dan and I stopped off at Menard's. We don't have Menard's in Phoenix, but we sure wish we did! One of the items we purchased was a craft glass block. It was priced at $8.99, but rang up for $3.00. I thought about purchasing two more, but I didn't. After we got home I started playing around with ideas for my glass block. This is what I came up with:

The trees are from my Christmas Village. The snowflake lights were purchased at Menard's. Not only do they have three light settings, but they stay on for six hours, turn off for 18 hours, and then come back on for six hours. I have run them now for over a week and they never fail to come on and go off at the same time each day. Jessica made the bow for me (because I am bow-challenged).

After I made this, I called JD and asked him to run out to Menard's and buy me two more blocks! He did and will deliver them to me at Thanksgiving. I'm excited to see what I can do with them to add to my Holiday decor!

Grandkids

Here's some photos of what we've been up to lately:

Breakfast at Grammy's

Thunder loves to help with Storm

Sunny and I decorating Halloween cupcakes

Storm snuggling in with Gramps

Four Months

My Official Four Month Photo

That monkey is getting smaller and smaller!

September Family Potluck

Our goal in 2014 was to have a monthly family potluck. We didn't make it every month, but the ones we had have been great fun! In September, our potluck theme was Italian. We munched on Meatballs, Chicken Cacciatore, Lasagna, Baked Ziti, and delicious dessert bars (I can't remember the name of them, but they were awesome!)

Shelby's dad and sister, Jeff and Shauna, joined us. It was great to meet them and they got a chance to meet most of our family. Shauna is in town for an internship and will be here through December, so she'll be around at family events!

Skye enjoying a "horse back" ride

Now it's Thunder's turn

Three generations: Carl, Mark, Matt

Zach and Thunder

The kids' table!

Storm with his souvenir from our trip-

it is so difficult to find a gift for a baby!

Storm in his coonskin cap

Sunny and Skye loved their beaded necklaces

Papa wished we'd brought him a hat, too!

That's me - covered in grandchildren

Dan with his boys

Gigi and Sunny love to color

Mark and Gabe

Mark is showing Thunder how to draw tattoos, hmmm