Celebrating the 40th

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Our Son-In-Law, Mark

turned 40 and 

we had a small but fun surprise

birthday party for him.

Tom and I baked this cake.

It's called an Anti-Gravity Cake.

They had just come back from a vacation

and Mark didn't have a clue.

Tom and I went over earlier to set up and

 decorated before they arrived

SURPRISE! 

Happy Birthday Mark!

Around Town Finds

Some of you know that I love to

 find clouds that look like animals or sometimes,

 a Jet flying into a tornado.

Yes, this is an actual street name.

Oh, the fun I'd have if this was our street name!

This....well, I'd like to understand.

~~~**~~~

Yesterday morning,

 Tom and I were drinking our coffees in bed, while reading.

 Lucy was sleeping in between us. 

The mornings are getting 

really cold over here (26 degrees burr).

It was a cozy, warm and start to our day.

Until, I spilled my hot coffee on Lucy, who jumped up and

 looked at me like, WHAT?

My coffee cup was totally

 upside down and empty.

Tom and I both jumped out of the warm but wet bed.

We flew into action.

Tom gave Lucy a bath.

I stripped the whole bed.

I knew it was going to be a all day long,

 process of cleaning up this mess.

Mattress pad was washed first.

I took off the duvet cover and washed the down comforter.

The sheets. pillow cases and duvet

 were next to be washed.

Then all were dried!

This was just step one!

Have you ever fought with a mattress pad?

You think one corner is on and it pops off?

This went on for awhile.

My next fight was the

 fitted bottom sheet. 

Sweat was running down my face!

But the biggest battle was still to come.

Getting the duvet back on the comforter!

It was about 4:00 PM when I finished

 making our bed.

There is something special about getting into a freshly clean bed. 

I appreciate my bed and the smell of 

clean sheets,

 mattress pad,

 duvet cover

 down comforter, 

pillow cases

and dog.

~~~***~~~

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28

To Seattle and Back

Can't keep away from our 

newest grandchild.

Scarlett is coming into her own.

While holding her,

 getting some great pictures,

she gave me a huge and very loud surprise.

Rule is;

if a grandchild needs their diaper changed

 and you are holding or

 the one closest them, 

YOU change the diaper.

I changed her diaper.

I surprised Trey while he was still at school.

It's fun to watch children from a distance,

when they don't know you are looking.

***********

The top picture is of Trey when he was a week old.
Cooper snuggled up to him
for the picture.

This bottom picture is of Scarlett.

Cooper is quite the lover.

Cooper you are a special dog.

~~~***~~~

I brought home these Maple leaves

 from our visit to  Seattle. 

Love the colors.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid'

John 14:27

Harvest Festival, Nampa Style

This was Tom's first time to our church's

Harvest Festival.

He had plenty of escorts to show him

ALL fun activities.

Kimmy and me

The Harvest Festival was held

 on a huge farm.

Plenty of room for so many activities.

Food:

Carmel apples

Carmel corn

Hot cider

(and after all the activities

we had a Chili Feed.)

Kimmy helping Ila May

Art Activities:

Paper pumpkin decorating

Headbands

Ila May and Levi

Horse Rides

For some, it was a pretend cow

but Silas didn't care!

Individual  Activities:

Bow and Arrows

Lassoing

Stilts

Slides

 And then there were the

Relay Races

 (for ALL ages)

Wheelbarrow races

Sack Relay

That's Lulu on the right!

Go Lulu Go!

Baton Relay

Go Levi Go!

The last and BIGGEST contest was the

Tug of  War!

Above,Girls vs Girls

The younger and smaller girls were waiting their turn, while the older girls were pulling hard.

Everyone had a turn because

 the categories were vast. 

Dads vs. Dad

Dads vs Boys

Boys vs. Boys

But the most anticipated was the "famous"

Mom's vs. Sons

The above picture is the mom's 

working hard, to show their strength.

Everyone was yelling & cheering them on!

Mom's won!

So much FUN!

Kids gave kids wagon rides.

Later, there were Hayrides.

~~~**~~~

Every year there is a Pie Contest.

Only Apple or Pumpkin!

Lulu entered last year and decided to try again.

Here are the judges, taste testing all the pies.

Guess who won 1st Place 

for her Apple Pie?

Lulu did!!

We all had so much fun, 

kicking up our heels!

Looks like someone went a little over board. 

~~~~***~~~~