KALEIDOSCOPE OF COLOR

Have you ever looked through a kaleidoscope? The color explodes into a beautiful array of random patterns which reminds me of the leaves in our own "backyard". I remember last autumn being absolutely stunned by the vibrant colors. While I LOVED living in Georgia, autumn does not have the same kaleidoscope of color--just yellow and brown and the never changing pine trees. In Ohio, at certain angles the leaves almost appear to be "on fire" when the sun hits the leaves at just the right angle--breathtaking. I have to admit that I do love fall--the changing of the leaves, the crisp (but not too crisp) mornings, pumpkin patches and apple orchards, football and soccer and best of all cool evenings by the fire.

Give me a "V-dot the'i'-curl the 'c'-t-o-r-y! VICTORY!

As the team arrived for their team meal following school Monday afternoon, there was a sense of excited anticipation for their final game against their toughest competitor. The boys took the field and on the opening drive scored a TD! However, both teams released several turnovers throughout the game causing a little anxiety, but Genoa was able to stay on top. Two of Alexander's friends scored their first touchdowns of the season! Adding to the excitement of the final game was the question--would the 7th grade team be the first team EVER to have an undefeated season at Genoa? After beginning practice the start of August and practicing 2 hours every afternoon, winning their scrimmage and each game thereafter, the 7th grade football team IS the first team to have an undefeated season!!

Alexander, we are SO proud of your football accomplishments this fall! You started the season having never played tackle football. We struggled the first time we had to add the pads to your practice pants--remember? Thankfully that chore was perfected throughout the season and the initial 1/2 hour was diminished to meer minutes! It's been a great experience and we look forward to next fall! Congratulations to you and your team on a WONDERFUL season!

DOWN ON THE FARM

This past Sunday was unseasonably warm--a GREAT day for a trip to Walker Farm in Logan, Ohio. My Dad was born and raised in Southern Ohio and my sister and I used to visit my G'ma Walker during the summer months. We've made many trips to Hocking Hills and also to Walker Farm over the years. Trey's cousin and his family, along with their Japanese foreign exchange student--who mind you has NEVER been to the pumpkin patch--joined us for an afternoon "down on the farm". We had a wonderful time! John (Dad's cousin) took us on a hayride around the farm--skirting the corn maze and pumpkin patch. Of course, what trip to the farm wouldn't be complete without a walk over to the barn to view the cows and calves. We decided to brave the corn maze--I don't know if the kids enjoyed the corn maze more or the hay ride--both were a big hit! We concluded our trip to the farm with a walk through the pumpkin patch in search of the "perfect pumpkin". Both boys found a pumpkin worthy of carving--something Mom does much closer to Halloween. It was fun to catch up with Dad's cousin and his family (kids included) and Aunt Lucille (99 years old!) as well as spend an afternoon with Trey's cousin and his family.

We had a WONDERFUL afternoon at Walker Farm!

Ready, Set...KICK!

Sadly, Noah's fall soccer season came to an end this past Saturday, but we'll still have the opportunity to enjoy Fall Festival (tournaments) this weekend. I love watching the boys' sports and to think that both the football and soccer seasons are ending--very sad! The last several games have been full of much excitement and the team finally seems to be feeling comfortable with one another--and the season ends. The old saying, "It's not whether or not you win the game, but how you play the game that counts" seemed to be the theme this fall. Noah's team didn't have many wins, but they are a great group of kids who are looking out for one another and thoroughly enjoy soccer! Their sense of teamwork was incredible--great dribbling, passing and many, many attempts on the goal! WASA switches the teams every fall and then the teams play together for fall and spring seasons, so boys and Mel--we'll see you next spring!

I AM YOURS--COOL VIDEO

A preschool teacher friend of mine shared this video with me via e-mail. Noah and I viewed the video this morning, singing and thoroughly enjoying the creativity. From a comment viewed on the e-mail, the images are peoples hands covered in white gloves with a black light illuminating them. It's an awesome sight! I don't know where the video originated, but it was something that touched Noah and I, so I really wanted to share it with everyone. ENJOY!!

OHIO CELEBRATION

Ohio's bicentennial celebration occured in 2003. Each of Ohio's 88 counties has a barn painted to commemorate the 200th birthday of Ohio. Several of the county barns are strategically located off of main hightways and I've noticed them on numerous times throughout our Ohio treks, but was never really certain of the significance aside from advertising Ohio's 200th Birthday. At the time, I had no idea that EVERY Ohio county has a painted barn. I decided to investigate a little further and discovered the location of our county barn. It's located a few miles from our home and is visible from I-71. My Dad and I had the pleasure of photographing the barn together last summer a month, or so, after moving back to the area. The painted barns are a wonderful way to celebrate Ohio's history!

KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE "PRIZE"

While vacationing over the summer, Trey's parents watched Sophie for a couple of weeks. During that time, Dee taught Sophie how to "roll-over". We were SO impressed when she first did the trick for us!! Since Sophie's been home with us, I've tried numerous times to have her "roll-over" and have been quite perplexed as to why she doesn't do the trick for "Mom". Guess what...mystery solved! I've been trying to have her "roll-over" the WRONG way. Oops! Now that I've had the "refresher course" --"Sophie roll-over 101"--she now performs the trick for me too!

If you look closely at the pictures you'll notice that Sophie NEVER took her eyes away from her "prize"--her favorite treat--popcorn! Way to go girl!

There's nothing like...

According to Trey, there's nothing like Lima pizza. What makes "Lima pizza" so special? The toppings are underneath lots of cheese and the pizza is cut into squares which again, according to Trey, creates the perfect pizza!

Everywhere we've lived--Ohio, Maryland and Georgia--Trey has searched high and low for a comparable pizza to "Lima pizza" and it's never been found. In fact, the boys and I always tease Trey and ask when he's sampling pizza if it's "as good as Lima pizza". And, of course, it never is.

Trey's parents arrived Friday night with, yep, you guessed it--2 Lima pizzas for Trey! Now, it doesn't matter that the 1 1/2 hour ride "cooled" the pizzas because Trey believes that hot, warm, or cold--Lima pizza is the best!

For all of you that have ever had the pleasure of enjoying non-Lima pizza with Trey, you remember him stating that "this isn't as good as Lima pizza". So Trey, we're happy that you're back in Ohio and that you don't have to wait for the holidays to enjoy "Lima pizza".

BUCKEYES with BUCKEYES

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I saw something similar at a craft show--the letters were matted with a scarlet background and the picture was so unique that I thought I'd give it a try. Unfortunately, I'm not sure my creativity did the letters justice. I guess I didn't realize how much Buckeyes "roll"...goodness! Just about the time we'd have a letter set--a Buckeye would roll away. At first, it was comical, but then it became more of a frustration. At least the experience wasn't a total loss as Alexander and I were able to spend time together. Thanks for you help Alexander!!