Turkey Trot

 Allison & Logan ran in the annual Turkey Trot again this year.  Logan got up early and ran the 5K - in 32:40, very impressive!  Allison did the kids' 1K. I ran with her - and about half way through she announced she doesn't want to do it next year.  Then she crossed the finish line and they handed her a goodie bag and she decided she liked it after all!  She kills me.  In a good way. 

 Their fan club!  Lauren was all about the warm-up dancing going on for the kids' race!

School Pictures

 Heidi's Preschool had school pictures...this year I just ordered a few digital files.  These were pretty cute and the one at the bottom.....well, I really couldn't pass it up!! 

Apparently she wasn't so thrilled about getting her picture taken!

Sewing Day

 Allison & Bekah kicked off their Thanksgiving Break today with a sewing day.  I helped each of them make a pillowcase (with fabric matching their Christmas quilts - they just don't know that yet!). Then they went to down with Allison's scrap box sewing away. They both got to practice sewing with my machine on their own - Allison was so excited about that!

 The finished pillowcases.

 Bekah learned the hard way it is much easier to put a bad seam in than take it out!

 Allison helping out on the seam ripping.

Cute girls with their pillowcases!  They can't wait to do more crafts with Jodi on Wednesday.  And the are already asking for another sewing day (and Miss Jodi says that is my department, not hers, so it won't be happening on Wednesday!).

Heidi's Bike

 Heidi has been very into bikes of late - Allison's bike parked in the garage which she insists climbing on to be taken for a ride, a little Playmobil bike she takes everywhere, she'd rather find bikes in 'Cars and Trucks and Things that Go' than Goldbug, and if we drive anywhere near campus she points out the bikes pointed everywhere.  So, we got 'her' bike back from Lauren this weekend and she was so excited to try it out.  Although she didn't get far before she stopped and ran back to get Allison to join her!

The girls made it around the corner before it was raining to hard and we had to turn home.  Heidi had a great time and was very excited to point out her very own bike to each of us!!

Little Ham

 The Heidi-bug is starting to love getting her picture taken!  And as soon as I take a picture she runs around behind the camera and wants to look at it.  And then I tried taking a picture of the two of us but she didn't quite get that she needed to look at the lens!

 Oh yes, and then she wanted pictures of her baby, too!  She's growing up waaaay too fast!

Veteran's Day

 My friend, Tana, and I took our girls to the Albany Veteran's Day parade yesterday.  It was a sunny but chilly morning - we couldn't have asked for a better parade day.  The parade started with 100s of motorcycles - they were LOUD and the girls were a bit intimidated.  Then it was a slow start as the rest of the parade was on foot but the girls loved it once it got going.  There were quite a few WWII vets walking or riding to lead out the parade and it was really neat to see them.  One sailor even appeared to be wearing his old Navy uniform from the WWII era - he was quite the spry guy!

 The girls loved all of the new & old army vehicles in the parade, the baton twirlers, bands and floats.  We had to leave about half way in to get home for lunch and naps but we're so glad we went.  It has spurred some hard conversations with Allison & Annie but we are glad they had an opportunity to learn about the many great men and women who have fought for our freedom and the freedom of others!

Leaf Clean-Up

 Mark and Allison headed out to clean-up our leaves this afternoon.  They were so wet they weren't worth much to play in.  Allison still had fun.  And Mark hopes for a somewhat drier fall next year!

Worth the Wait

 My friend, Tana, and I have been carefully watching the weather each weekend to see if it will be good enough to take the girls to play in the leaves and shoot a few pictures!  We finally had a decent weekend!  We were a little worried we'd be fogged in, which would still be fun, but different.  But we couldn't have asked for a nicer afternoon.  the girls were fabulous models, of course!

 These two get to spend every Tuesday afternoon together when Allison is done with kindergarten.  I pick her up after swim lessons.  They have a lot of fun together and we're glad they have the opportunity to learn what it means to be good friends!

 And of course we got a little bit of leaf throwing action in!

 I love Clara's face on this one!

The Heidi-bug was there - but into being held by her Daddy so there aren't so many pictures of her!

Little Sprouts - November 2014

 Allison went to Little Sprouts this morning and had fun making a fall greenery arrangement.  Hopefully it keeps well enough we can use it for our Thanksgiving centerpiece.  She was really excited to have two of her neighbor friends show up to do it with her.  She did a great job filling in all the empty space herself, I only helped a little - particularly since I was there with both girls on my own (I really wish I could have taken more pictures!)

 The Heidi-bug was there with us - she spent her time playing with the gourds, I was impressed with how patient she was!

Allison and her finished arrangement!  As a side-note - the evergreen foliage came from a large redwood tree they had to take down at the nursery as the roots had gotten way too big.  They were working on repairing the brickwork paths while we were there.  It was neat that the kids got to use so much of the foliage!

Sunshine!

 After a rather very wet last half of October we're finally getting some better weather.  The girls and I managed to hit the local park on Friday afternoon.  It was so nice to get out and enjoy some sun even if it disappeared behind the horizon quickly!

 Heidi has taken to looking for Allison - calling her name while she does.  It sounds like 'Alli-shon!' and it is about the cutest thing I've heard in quite awhile!