Saturday, October 17, 2009

Autumn Has Returned . . .

. . . but the lovely leaves are gone, and the trees with leaves remaining are dressed in drabness. But the weather is glorious, and we hope it continues on for many more days.

Remember this picture from a week ago today?




Four days later, on Wednesday, the girls were playing in the deep layer of leaves in the back yard -- in shorts!







After the leaves dried out, the twins had a great time playing - just like their big sisters have done at this time every year. Katie liked the yard next door really well - I love this shot of her peeking over the hedge - book in hand.




They had a great time beheading the mums, giving them to me, and me showering the petals on their heads.




Grandpa invited them over to play in the leaves one last time before he spent two days mulching and mowing them up, and taking them to the recycle center.






My folks and I have each had one of these portable chairs to hang on a table ever since my kids were little. They've really come in handy for picnics and for our Wednesday night dinners at church with the twins. Emma had a great time playing with them on the patio on the beautiful day yesterday. They kept her occupied for at least a half hour.






It's fun to be able to see the two squirrel nests in the now empty tree, against the gorgeous blue sky.





Today DC finished the massive job of cleaning the yard - it looks perfect again. At least until the rest of the leaves begin to drop --




A few weeks ago I won a little contest over at Tammy's place, Lattes and Lollipops. She gave away a gift card for Starbucks - since I don't drink coffee, I had a lovely time with my sister as she did drink coffee and I had delicious hot chocolate. I also got this book --




I finished it today and highly recommend it. I love a good suspense novel, and this one didn't disappoint. It includes the message of God's love and mercy - an unusual and great combination. I was really excited when I checked my library's web site and discovered that this is only #1 in a series of 5 of 6. I love having a great series to look forward to. Dee Henderson has written many others besides this series as well - should keep me going for a good long time to come.

On an entirely different subject - I know everyone followed the "balloon launch" fiasco. I was glued to the screen when I found out it was going on - the "launch" began about 15 miles north of my house. I have no doubt in my mind that it was planned as a publicity stunt, and I think they have bitten off more than they ever expected - not the kind of publicity they really wanted. The sheriff seems to have finally caught up with the rest of us in his thought processes.

And last but not least --

The big girls got their school pictures already - I absolutely could not believe how good they were. I don't think I've ever seen such good school pictures.






Have a great Sunday and a good week!



16 comments:

someone else said...

Awesome school pictures!!

nannykim said...

The kids are so cute and it looks like they had so much fun in the leaves. Our leaves don't finish falling until March!!! So it was fun to see yours ;-) . We used to use those hanging chairs, but my daughter uses something different. It kind of looks like a booster seat with an attached serving area shelf thingy.

Gigi said...

Wow - snow to shorts in the space of 4 days! Isn't weather the craziest thing?!

Your grandbabies are so precious! And those school pictures - wow, did you ever see such thick, gorgeous hair in your life?! Beautiful girls!

That balloon fiasco...ugh. You know I was just sick to my stomach at the thought of that little boy in that thing. I was praying, "please Lord, send your angels to bring it gently to earth." And then when I saw it land with barely a bump I was praising God indeed! Now what kind of sick mind comes up with a stunt like that? Really...

Thanks for the book recommendation! I LOVE series and am always on the lookout for another one. I loved Karen Kingsbury's Redemption series...just fell in love with the Baxters!

Thanks also for being such a faithful visitor to my blog...you deserve a perfect attendance award or something! {{hugs}}

Linda said...

Oh Dawn - they look so grown up - absolutely beautiful!!
Our weather has finally cooled off, and here I sit on the front porch with my laptop - just like I dreamed I would:-) It is a perfect day.
I have great memories of jumping in leave piles myself - and then the kids and grands. It really is the simple things that bring such pleasure and lasting memories.
I love a good series too Dawn. I'm always so disappointed when I finish the last book and wait impatiently for just one more!

Have a blessed week sweet friend.

grammy said...

What great school pics. They are so cute. Today is downright hot outside (o: We have not got our leaves up yet. We are having Bible study here tonight (I had ti sit down and rest for awhile) so We have been busy in the house.
It was sad to find out the Balloon thing was all a hoax. Sure worried a lot of people and made them mad. No i will not watch his show or his web site.
Have a great week.

Nancy said...

I agree...the school photos are GREAT! Your grands are just precious.

I feel so sorry for the kids in the balloon story. What a bad example for the parents to set and then expect the kids to lie for them.

I'm glad your snow is gone and that warmer temperatures have arrived. May it continue... that would be a blessing indeed!

Sam said...

The school pictures are absolutely adorable!!! Just beautiful!

Wow, you weren't kidding when you said you have unusual weather! I can't believe it went from snow to warm sun. That definitely doesn't happen around here.

Ugh, the balloon fiasco. That poor little boy. That's all I can say. I feel really bad that his parents used him in this way. Did you read about how he threw up during two interviews? No doubt from the anxiety of having to lie. I feel just terrible for him and so angry at his parents!

Thanks for your comment on my blog. It's just crazy how busy life feels these days. Things are good, but no free time at all!

Have a wonderful week, Dawn!

Sharon Lynne said...

ahhh. What adorable pictures. Cute smiles!

I loved the twin's twin outfits.

I don't drink coffee either. I drink apple juice when I go to Starbucks's with a friend.

Your weather is crazy. But I think we get the same weather...but warmer. We had rain and coldness for 3 days, then suddenly it was 80..then 90 degrees again. (last week)

Now it's somewhere in between.

Hootin Anni said...

Love, LOVE the school photos!!! Darling girls. And I know just how proud you are of them...all of them. "Showering them with mum petals" I can just hear their giggles!!!

The photo of the tree with the nest ---amazing blue sky isn't it?

Your yard is gorgeous. But I must ask...what is the red jutting up in the air -to the right side of the 'finished yard' that D C cleaned up for the season?

And yes, as you know I too have been following this Balloon crapola...today I posted about a new revelation of it all...a conspiracy now?

The book sounds awesome. And I can't believe I found someone ELSE who doesn't drink coffee!! Yay!!!!

Have a great Monday dear Dawn.

SentimentsbyDenise said...

My, My - Colorado sure has its mood swings! Here in Indiana, it's just cold.
Love all the cute pics of the girls!
I've read all of Dee Henderson's books - I know you'll like all of these in this series.
Next time you go out to Starbucks with a friend, do me a favor and try their Chai Tea Latte. It's fabulous!

Hootin Anni said...

BOO!!!

There is an award for you on my Tuesday Blog....[scroll down to the last award...it's yours!!]

Have a TERRORific Tuesday!

Robin said...

What beautiful girls! I thought about you when all the news about the balloon boy was it - I figured it had to be close to you. What a strange ordeal!
Your yard is beautiful. I dread the time of year when the leaves fall - it lasts forever and we are constantly getting rid of the leaves. So much work!
I haven't read Dee Henderson - but she is on my list. My list is so long and there is so little time!

Carole Burant said...

I thought only we here in Northern Ontario had snow one day and able to go out in shorts the next! lol Such weird weather this year. Like you, our trees are now all bare, no more Autumn colours to be seen around my area. I loved seeing the pictures of the girls playing in the leaves...brings back so many memories of my boys doing that when they were little:-)

The balloon fiasco made me sick to my stomach, how can parents do something like that. I also believe it was all planned and to think they let all of us worry and pray for their little boy...ooooh it just makes me so mad!!!

Omigosh, the older girls' school pictures are just darling, both of them are so well posed!! Love their hairstyles, really suits them.

Hope this week has been going well for you, dear Dawn. xoxo

Midlife Mom said...

Oh my goodness Dawn the girls school pictures are just beautiful! They have such lovely hair too!

We're still here in Florida having a wonderful time with the grands and their cousins. The five of them are enjoying each others company so much!!! I will have lots of pictures to post.

I am not able to get onto my e-mail down here so don't know if you have sent me your Maine dates or not but will check when I get home.

That series of books sounds wonderful. I tried to find something here in the gift shop to read but there was nothing worth reading if you know what I mean.

Nadine said...

I know I sound like a broken record, but your grandchildren are beautiful. The school pictures are awesome.

I can't believe the weather - snow and then no coats. Either way the girls looked like they had a good time.

Linds said...

Beautiful school photos! Great fun in the leaves too! it is cold and wet and damp and grey here. My total worst.