A Buck, a Bird, and a Bee

 All of a sudden the bucks have been running around our yard like crazy.  Last night this one decided to linger for a long while, so I got my camera out.  He was beautiful.  Lucky for him, Noah wasn't home!

 Now that the leaves are gone, it's so much easier to take pics of birds in the trees. hehe.  I love seeing the birds all puffed up, trying to keep warm in the colder weather.

 This one my favorite Bee, out for her first time officially going to doors for trick or treating.

 Trio of Trouble ready to walk the hood.

 This pumpkin either had too much candy or too much to drink.  Maybe both.

Here are my pups, growing like weeds..well, more like wildflowers!!!  This Sunday we finally got their dog run/kennel for outside....so life in the house should become a little easier on all.  This gives us more options!  I cannot believe that there are so snow flurries today!  It's so crazy.  I am thankful for so many things.  Our heat went out on Saturday, I am thankful, that someone came out right away and could fix the problem.  I had the kids start our thankfulness tree yesterday.  We gathered branches and put them in a vase and started making paper leaves of what we are thankful for.  I think I am going to sneak in a little painting today, so I am very excited about that.  I think that is all for now.  Happy Tuesday!

The Halloween Buzz

 Me and my baBEE.  Noah was a Beekeeper!

 Pretty Kitty and Little Bee

Some Grub.   SO, I can't believe the day of the great pumpkin is upon us and we still have yet to carve our pumpkins!!!!!!!!   Today's plan is to at least do that, whaever else will BEE will BEE.  So for now, Happy Halloween!  Hopefully more pics later on.  :)

Going Batty

 We are learning all about BATS in school right now in our Zoology - Science Unit.

 All of a sudden, Olivia is letting Isabelle read to her.  It's been so nice!

 My very special little:  Ninja Turtle!  Ben got to wear his costume to Cub Scouts this past week.  He did lots of slides...good thing his costume has knee pads.

 This is a fun treat plate I made with Paleo Snacks (gluten free - grain free).  Banana Muffins and Granola Bites.

 Here we see Mr. Ben helping me make Pumpkin Pancakes for breakfast.

 Miss O hanging out in a diaper box with a dolphin in her hands and a band aid she placed on her head for an imaginary ouch.

 This is a beautiful Sunrise that I watched recently.  How amazing to see God's world wake up.  Peace and beauty everywhere.  Wonderful way to start the day.

 In the early morning - a Dark Eyed Junco in a nearby tree

Rose and I on our morning walk.   I walked the dogs twice yesterday, once in nature (am), once around the subdivision (pm).  They kind of tire me out.  :)  Happy Friday Everyone!

The Cowboy & The Indian

All these pics are from Halloween day except the last one is a photo from the day before as Isabelle marches in her school parade. :) Halloween was a great success overall. The kids had a blast and we had no major costume malfunctions. It was a bit chilly during trick or treating...but the kids didn't seem to mind. Isabelle's biggest joy from her loot gathering was that someone gave her a can of Root beer (all her dreams came true). To end the evening the kids had magical chicken & stars soup and us adults had Chili & cornbread. We sat by the fireplace and discussed: Candy, Costumes & Ghosts.

FRANKly, I am avoiding the dishes.

I came across this cute kids craft online and thought, hey - I have all those materials here..and I could not resist one last craft before the holiday. Now, I have to gather enough stuff to make sure that Belle & Ben can make one too!

This is a tag/pocket book I just finished. More details on the wish papers blog. :)

o.k., a shower, dishes & laundry await me. Happy Friday ya-all!

Cowboy Ben

The day had finally arrived...the sun came up in the west and this little cowboy finally got to put his gear on...the class Halloween Party was about to take place.

Where's me horse?

Special Treat time at the Party.

I got to help with the party, it was so much fun! There is nothing more sweet than seeing a bunch of preschoolers in Halloween cosutmes....Princesses, cowboys, cowgirl, frankenstein, robot, dorothy, little red ridinghood, witch, batman, pirate.

I feel like Halloween has been going for a week straight already and we still have not gotten to the main event. We are trying to stay healthy and well rested and also keep the treats & sweets at a managable level. Today is Isabelle's class party. She is an Indian ((I took pictures at her dance class party but they didnt turn out well at all due to lightening so I will try and get some today)). I still have to get the cowboy and indian together...hopefully some nice outdoor pics. I keep on forgetting, I need to get our Halloween music out! I am defitnely in the mood for some Monster Mash and Time Warp! We are thrilled that Aunt Mary is coming out later today to spend the weekend with us. Halloween day, we are hoping for decent weather....get some trick or treating accomplished and then come home for Chili. Then....we can start focusing on the next holiday: Turkey Day!

Pumpkin Guts

I would rather sit on a PUMPKIN and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion. - Henry David Thoreau

Oh the joys of Pumpkin Carving. The design idea....the guts flying...the sawing....

= The Children's final Masterpieces.

This is the part that I helped with! (Grandpa Paul & Celia helped with the carving). Anyone who knows me knows that I have a slight addiction to pumpkin seeds. This is the first time I have made them myself, besides a little too much veg. oil...they turned out quite excellent. In fact, maybe I should have some for breakfast...

Day at the Pumpkin Fest

Recently, the wild winds of Autumn, led us to an enchanting festive place called: Bengston's Pumpkin Fest (Homer Glen, IL). It was a crisp yet joyous outing. There was so much to look at & do. Some of the attractions were: petting zoo, hay ride, pig races, haunted barn, corn maze, etc.

Ben - Planning Big Trouble.

Isabelle petting the farm animals.

Some witch.

Ben eating cotton candy & sitting for a spell with this guy named Frank.

Halloween Journal

I am so inspired to start making journals & books again. I made this Halloween themed one last night. Simple yet fun. I am seriously thinking about selling some of my stuff again also. I miss it. I might try to start making an inventory of some items (books, cards, etc) and put them online and see how it goes...or maybe have an open house for the holidays if I get enough stuff made. I have so many new ideas that I want to try. I know I go back and forth with this...but I am really feeling like its time to start making stuff again. Even if there is a big hole/tube through my studio room roof (new fireplace vent).

Misc. updates:
This morning I had a dr. appt. All went well. Heard the heartbeat and I am not due back there for an entire month. :)
Ben and I got haircuts this morning. Well overdue. Thought we better get it done since he has school pics tomorrow.
Isabelle has been sick on and off lately. She felt good today so I sent her to school. She has brownies today too, so I will be picking her up in about an hour.
Ben is napping (what a glorious gift).
The sun is beautiful today.
We are invited to the inlaws for dinner, so no cooking for me tonight - whoah!
Noah has been baking bread alot lately. latest experiment: cinnamon rolls this morning.
My mom has found most of the stuff we need for the kids costumes this year, we are so excited. Can't wait to put together the Cowboy & Indian (princess)!
Noah told me the other night that he seriously likes the name: Napoleon if it's a boy. To humor him , I will lightly pencil it in on the list next to Ben's suggestion of Taco.
I hate Dishes. I am sick of Dishes. (sorry just had to vent).
Maybe we will get some pumpkins this weekend and a hay bale or two would be nice also.
It's been too cold and I have been too lazy to fill the birdfeeders lately...it seems like whenever I think about it, the winds are whipping and I don't want to go out there. I hope the birds stick around with the hope and belief that I will feed them.
I suppose I've rambled a plenty. Have a SUPER rest of the day.