TRUE LOVE NEVER GROWS OLD

Engagement Picture (Westerville, OH) although we were engaged on February 16, 1994 in Phoenix, AZ
Wedding Photo--October 29, 1994--Westerville, Ohio

Memorial Day 2008, Westerville, Ohio

For the wonderful years shared together and the many yet to come--I love you today and always! Happy 14th Anniversary Trey!

BOO at the ZOO

Welcome to Columbus' "Boo at the Zoo" featuring Noah and Haiden as...

themselves!

Trey and the boys spotted the above "big cat" resting

I've always been fascinated by Bald Eagles and waited and waited for this picture. Originally both eagles were facing the other directions and all of a sudden they both looked to the side.

Haiden REALLY wanted to see Batman, but the show times were too late in the day. We were SO happy when we caught a glimpse of Batman passing by in the parade!

Haiden loved that you could see the animals AND "trick or treat"--what more could a little boy ask for? Noah decided that he's NOT too old to "trick or treat"

Since Noah was quite young, he's always loved tigers and to him, a trip to the zoo isn't complete without seeing his favorite animal.

The zoo was quite crowded Sunday and since the boys were patient waiting in line to "trick or treat" each time and didn't complain, Trey and I decided a trip to the playground would be a great "reward". The play area is creatively constructed of various insects and bugs--very fun!

Our day at the zoo ended with a farewell picture in front of the ghosts..."Boo at the Zoo" was a lot of fun this year. Haiden and Noah enjoyed spending another day together while Elizabeth visited her Mom at the hospital. I was sad that Alexander didn't join us. He stayed home to complete homework and catch up on the football scores. He's at that "in-between" age and this will be the first year he doesn't dress up for Halloween. With the boys growing up so quickly, it's hard to believe that some of our childhood traditions are ending. So, it was a welcome relief that Noah and his cousin could still enjoy "Boo at the Zoo"!

HOMEMADE APPLE CRISP

The "Apple Peeler, Corer, Slicer"

Noah having fun with one of Mom's cooking toys

Sophie enjoying the remains from Mom's cooking toy

The apples are peeled, cored and sliced

Noah's hard work enters the crock pot for 4 hours of baking on low

Adding the "crisp"--butter, sugar, cinnamon and rolled oats
MMMMM!! Yummy! Of course, apple crisp isn't complete without vanilla ice cream or whipped topping--even more yummy
We enjoyed munching and crunching on our 30 pounds of apples this past week, but the highlight was definitely making apple crisp on Saturday.
Stay tuned for this week's recipe: homemade applesauce.

AND THE BAND PLAYED ON

Mr. Loudon instructed the middle school students to dress warmly because they were going to get wet! Alexander decided to wear a scarlet ball cap--good choice since it was easy for us to spot him in a sea of band members!

Look at the rain!!

Alexander playing away on his baritone
Noah, all smiles, watching Alexander play in the rain.

To say the weather last night was miserable is an understatement! It was cold, wet and rainy, yet the band played on! Since the start of school, Alexander has anxiously been awaiting his evening with the Central High School marching band. Each year, Central invites the middle school 7th and 8th grade bands to join them on the field during half time of a Central footbal game. Last night, I dropped Alexander off at Central at 6pm for pizza with the high school students as well as his Genoa friends. I returned home and Trey, Noah and I decided to wait until a few minutes after the game started before braving the elements! I lost count of how many layers we wore and it seemed to help block the cold; but the rain was an entirely different story (we were all SOAKED by the time we returned home). I lack experience taking pictures in the rain, so the photos appear blurred although I think it's just the constant downpour of rain! Alexander LOVED being with the high school students and said that everyone was VERY friendly. Currently, he's having a tough time deciding whether or not he wants to play football or remain in the band once he begins high school. We told him he has plenty of time to decide!! In spite of the rain, we had a great time watching a small portion of the game and our son on the field with his friends. Great job Alexander--all three bands sounded wonderful playing together!!

HAIDEN ARRIVES...

Haiden visited yesterday and our adventure began with a school visit. Haiden and I decided it would be LOTS of fun to have lunch in the school cafeteria with Noah and his friends. As we arrived at Noah's school, Haiden kept repeating that the school is VERY tall and big too. He was moving slowly into the school; he's never been to school before and I think he might have been a little nervous about the new experience. Well, the school secretary, Vice Principal and a couple of duty aides and teachers doted all over Haiden and I think he was instantly comfortable in school.

We sat at the school tables in the cafeteria and enjoyed our lunch. The duty aides, who happen to be neighbors and friends, invited Haiden to join Noah and his friends on the playground--I wasn't expecting the invitation and Haiden was SO excited! After making sure it was OK with Noah, we followed the boys and girls outside. Haiden had such a GREAT time chasing Noah and his friends and climbing the equipment and sliding down the slide (more times than I can remember). We only lasted half of recess time, but it was extremely nice that we were able to join Noah for a little while.

Haiden and I returned to the house and played with Batman toys, Star Wars and some Lord of the Rings figures too. We decided to hang out in the basement, and then upstairs. Of course, he was quickly "bored" with the toys and we had to put things away and search for "new" toys. We spent a couple of hours playing and then decided that we would surprise the boys with sugar cookies. Since I was in a time crunch, I chose pull apart sugar cookies and let Haiden decorate them with Halloween sprinkles. He LOVED it and couldn't wait to share the cookies with Alexander and Noah.

Alexander arrived home around 3pm and Haiden couldn't wait to "play", but Alexander was swamped with homework. Haiden seemed to understand and we continued to play until Noah was due home at 3:45pm. Then Alexander took a small break, and the three of us went outside and waited for the bus. Alexander is still consumed with football and decided that Haiden needed to learn a few moves...it was adorable to watch and my pictures don't quite do the moment justice, but I tried. Alexander showed Haiden how to "hike" the ball. He didn't quite understand and the first time the ball went flying forward, instead of back. I couldn't stop giggling, but Alexander was very patient and explained the directions again and the next time Haiden hiked the ball right to Alexander.

After Noah arrived home we enjoyed our yummy cookies and then Noah and Haiden had an opportunity to play together. WOW--the dynamics certainly changed once Noah was home. They both became these crazy, wild boys and I decided a trip to the park was a necessity! Alexander joined us for a short time and the boys had a great time chasing one another and be crazy outside!

I thoroughly enjoyed spending the day with Haiden--we had a lot of fun! However, now having older boys I have quickly forgotten how much energy a little one requires. Suffice to say, I slept extremely well last night, never awoke once, and was startled by the alarm awakening me this morning. I'm really glad I had the opportunity to spend the day with our nephew--he was a joy to have at the house and we hope he's able to visit again soon...

LET'S EAT DIRT

Noah's class concluded their unit on soil by making "dirt". Soil forms from the breakdown of rocks over time. In addition, soil contains air, water and humus, the decayed remains of dead plants and animals. The class was asked to provide a soil sample from their backyard and determine the inorganic and organic components of the soil. Noah was not impressed when his organic component was a spider! The class also learned that earthworms and insects dig tunnels in the soil allowing air and water to reach plant roots secured in the soil. It was a fascinating unit and everyone learned a lot. The highlight was making dirt. Before adding any of the ingredients the class had to identify each part of the soil.

Each child was given 2 oreos in a ziploc bag and asked to smash the oreos with a book representing the rocks deteriorating over time to form soil. Pudding, butter, powdered sugar and cream cheese were also added to the "soil". Mrs. Kay indicated that this is the "yummy portion and has no real significance". Next the children were given raisins (rocks), gummy worms (earth worms) and sprinkles (insects). Before the class could enjoy their "dirt" they took a straw and placed it straight into their layered "dirt. Mrs. Kay asked them to lick the edges and then look at the straw and notice the different layers. It was a wonderful and yummy way to conclude their unit and I'm so happy that I was able to be a part of the fun!

APPLES UP ON TOP

While living in Maryland, we started a family tradition in 1998 of visiting Lohr's Orchard annually with friends. We selected apples from the orchard and pumpkins from the patch. After moving to Georgia in 2003, our family tradition has been on hiatus due to the lack of orchards down South (or ones that we could find anyway).

After moving to Ohio the summer of 2007, we were hoping to continue our apple picking tradition last autumn. Unfortunately, last year the apples sustained an early frost, or late frost I don't remember, but the frost prevented apple picking season from occuring. Thankfully this year is different! Yesterday, was a crisp, cool autumn afternoon complete with plenty of sunshine. Several neighbors have mentioned Lynd's Orchard to us, so we decided last weekend that this Sunday afternoon, weather permitting, we would resume our apple picking tradition. The orchard is over 80 acres and in spite of the many visitors yesterday afternoon, we rarely saw anyone. The trees were well-picked, so Noah was on Trey's shoulders for one attempt and then on Alexander's shoulders for another attempt--laughing the entire time. We decided that a trip to the orchard wasn't complete without a few samples and enjoyed walking through the orchard crunching on sweet, juicy apples. We left Lynd's Orchard with 30 pounds of apples and memories to last a life time! We're so happy that our tradition continues and are already looking forward to next year!

BOO to YOU!!

Our house was BOOed on Friday evening--someone rang the doorbell and RAN leaving little treat bags on the front porch for the boys! It's a fun and innocent Halloween neighborhood game. The object--to walk the neighborhood close to Halloween and see how many homes have been BOOed. How do you know if family has been BOOed? Well, the goody bag contains an instruction note as well as a ghost that you post (didn't mean to rhyme) on your front door or window. The rules are simple: copy the instructions and ghost and BOO two families, but you have to be sneaky so they don't know who left the treats. Noah was definitely excited and couldn't wait to BOO last night. Coincidentally, he was dressed in all black from his soccer tournament earlier in the morning--he just removed his jersey and he was ready to BOO. Once the sun set and the sky was dark, we set out on our BOO adventure. We couldn't decide on two friends so we BOOed three! Trey drove the car and Noah and I hopped out and ran to our first stop; remember it's dark and we're dressed in black--quite suspicous I suppose. We laid the treat bags on the doorstep and Noah rang the bell--then he and I RAN as fast as we could to the darkest side of the house....and waited. The door opened and instead of a "We've been BOOed" echoing in the night air, we heard a resounding "thank you"--Noah and I couldnt stop giggling because we both quietly said "you're welcome"! We waited several moments before returning to the car and proceeding to our next two stops. Noah had such a GREAT time BOOing his friends! BOO to YOU too!!

FINISHING ANOTHER SEASON...

Noah--team captain

Fall WASA soccer team--Lightning Bolt

WASA celebrates 30 years and awards each soccer participant with a 30th anniversary pennant as well as a trophy!

Noah with the game ball

Noah completes another soccer season! It's been a LOT of fun to watch Noah and his teammates improve throughout the season. Noah's coaches nominated him "Most Improved" during the awards ceremony! The final game of the Fall Festival Noah was asked to be the team captain designated by wearing an orange arm band. And, following the final game of the season, Noah was awarded the team ball! Noah can't wait for the spring season and plans to practice and prepare before the season begins! WAY TO GO NOAH!!