Happy Holidays!!!

Happy Halloween!

Well, the holiday season has officially arrived.  Our family, or more specifically my daughter and I, have a well orchestrated collection of traditions beginning with Halloween and Dia de los Muertos.  In past years my daughter has hosted a costume party on or near Halloween which involves smoke machines, decorations, scary music, scary food and scary movies.  I opt out of the scary movies (I'm too much of a chicken) and take care of the trick or treaters.  We keep a tally each year of the number of  trick or treaters and I spend the evening fretting over whether or not we have enough candy (that's part of the tradition too).  Dia de los Muertos  (Day of the Dead) is a Latin tradition honoring the dead.  We erect a small alter with pictures of the people in our lives who have passed away to honor their memory and celebrate their lives.  My daughter usually spends several days constructing an alter or Ofrenda, complete with colorful candles, skulls and pictures.  As my children grow, I realize how grateful I am to have holiday traditions each year that bring us together.

Bad Dog

This is Guinness James Maximus Lehman, our 8 month old puppy.  And THAT is his handiwork.  He can't seem to understand that dog beds are for lying on, not chewing up.  He's had several unsuccessful bed trials,  all with the same final result.  He currently sleeps on a folded towel because his dog bed privileges have been temporarily revoked.  Guinness is our 2nd hunting dog.  My husband is an avid pheasant and grouse hunter.  He claims that it's impossible to hunt these birds without a dog.  Unfortunately, bird dogs tend to be among the most high strung canine breeds.  Our last dog, a German Shorthaired pointer, was legendary amongst our family and friends.  His energy at 9 years old could rival any puppy in the neighborhood. Guinness is a bit more sedate and smaller, which seems to help when he's barreling through the house.  He's also blessed with a bright, cheerful personality and the impression that everybody likes him, a useful coping tool when he's chewed up his bed and is being scolded for the umpteenth time!

All Dressed up

My youngest son in something other than cleats.  Usually he can be found either on the phone, eating, or in uniform, sports uniforms that is.  

Homecoming

Oh to be young again!  Here are some photo's of my youngest son's homecoming.  What a good looking crew. 

Super Silly Kids!

These are two of my tots.  Featured are the oldest and the middle child.  This summer they acquired used 3D glasses from the movie theater.  They promptly poked out the lenses and and started wearing them around the house and occasionally in public (and they tell me I'm embarrassing!)

Little known fact

Little known fact:  I have always wanted to see a moose in the wild and I NEVER have.  I've been to northern Minnesota, Canada, Vermont, Maine and Alaska and I've NEVER seen a moose!

Welcome!

Aren't these fish funny? If you put your mouse on their water they'll swim over!