Halloween... or some Fall Celebration

Thought for the day: "BOO... err and God bless you."

The posting: Well it's that time of year again... when the candy companies gear up to get our kids carb and refined sugar addicted... and to set up the dental industry with income for the next year. This time is also known as Halloween. Unfortunately we do not celebrate Halloween. The reasons are personal, but if you research the origins of Halloween and some of the traditions behind it, you'd probably get a shiver up your spine. Call me weird, but it's my family and our choice so go on about your own life and don't judge me.. judge yourself. ;-)

Anyway, we go to our Fall Festival at our church and the kids have a great time without all the focus on death and evil. They can still dress up and get candy, but they also can play games and go on rides all in a well lit, safe environment. There were at least 2500+ people in attendance this year. The only rule is no scary or evil costumes, like monsters or witches, etc. Anyway here's some pics of the kids...

The family at Fall Festival 2005... ready for action!

Chandler is enjoying his sugar buzz...

Amanda has a constant smile... she's always giggling too...

Well that is until we put her on the spinning buckets... this is a typical photo... the other two wanted to spin around and have a blast... but Amanda has to drop the wet blanket on the fun...

Fun was had by all though... now where's my Tootsie Pop...

Leo the Cat

Thought for the day: "I love my moss-covered, three-handled, family credenza."

The posting: Here's a pic of Leo, our chocolate point Himalayan. We've had him for 4 months now. He's 7 months old! Look how huge he is! He eats like a horse too. Easy to see why my allergies are kicking up. But he's a great cat and he's really helped my younger two kids get over there fear of animals. Best part is... he's not mine so I have no litterbox or feeding duties. That was my capitulation for having to live on Claritin D for the next few years... LOL

W-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-LMA!

Thought for the day: "Remember you are unique... just like everyone else."

The posting: Wow! We survived yet another hurricane! I mean last year was definitely worse and we dodged a few this year (2005) as well, but we needed to get hit by at least one this year. At least it was a record breaker! Anyway, we pretty much just got about 30-45 MPH winds here in Orlando... but the temperature dropped dramatically as it rolled out. No pictures to post cuz it was nothing dramatic.

Got a free day off work though. Spent it playing with my kids and doing finger-painting as the storm moved through. I had to watch 'Robots' about a dozen times though. Luckily I fell asleep through most of the replays so I'll actually watch it when I want to. Spent the day doing laundry too.

Such a surreal moment... watching the washer tub spinning as a Cat 3 hurricane was outside going overhead... definitely an 'OOOOOOOOOOOO' moment.

The Arrows In My Quiver...

Thought for the day: "Do unto others... then run."

The posting: I wanted to post some photos of my kids for old friends and family.... There's an old proverb: "Blessed is the man who's quiver is full". With three young kids my quiver is definitely full.

Here are the kids...

This is Sierra. She's almost 7.



This is Chandler. He's 4 1/2.

This is Amanda. She just turned 3. She was a little messy on that day LOL.

This is just another picture of Amanda and Chad...