A Bountiful Harvest!

This October has proven to be full of life!  Two of my oldest and dearest friends welcomed new babies into their families.  Valario joins big sister Viola in Italy where they live with Mommy, Hallie and Daddy, Emiliano.  Nell joins big sister Olive in Flagstaff where they live with Mommy, Lil and Daddy, Paul.  I am so joyful and relieved that all went according to plan and all are healthy.  Phew!  Here in the Jason family we will be welcoming our newest family member a week from today.  His name is Cullen Camaro (his old racing name) Jason.  We drove to the capital last Saturday to pick him out of the many greyhounds that are available.  We are just awaiting his neutering surgery....  It was love at first sight for me with this guy.  Two dogs had been brought out ahead of him, and I was worried I just wouldn't be able to love another dog like I had Zevon...and then "Camaro" came through the door.  What a goofball.  Tail wagging in a helicopter formation!  He's a big boy.  We had to get the largest crate on the market.  But he's worth the loss of sq. footage in our apartment.  We were also lucky to have Cate stay with us for three nights over the Columbus Day weekend.  The kids are such fun to listen to and watch.  Seriously "stupid" humor and crazy giggles.  Scott and I decided to take them apple picking.  We are still working through the 4 bags we picked!  I am reminded how very much we all love the autumn.  Walks around the park nearby, and strolls through the graveyard are so marvelous in this crisp cool air!

We took the kids to an art walk Friday night.  Ethan and Cate are "listening" to some really weird art.

The game of Life.  Where whoever has the most money in the ends wins... 

This may be the last picture of Ethan on his Dad's shoulders!

"O.K. son.  There is a right way and a wrong way to pick an apple".

We popped into a great consignment shop.  Sadly, no purchases were made.

What?!  How'd that picture get in there?

Blow dryers are under-rated.

Fiona shopping with her gift certificate from Auntie.  There's a great fabric shop downtown.

Working on her giant bird sculpture in art school.

Ethan adding finishing touches to his work in class.

Can you just smell the "old book smell" from this picture?

He is so damn cute!!!

Gotta savor these Indian Summer days.

New Car!!  Kids love that their seats recline!

Here she is.  The mini-mini van.

Last of the blossoms...

I decided to go grey/lavender.  'Cause I can.

You have to zoom in on my girls face.  I could cry I love her so much.  The joy she has gotten from feeding birds since she was a toddler has never diminished!

I dropped the kids at climbing club and took a quiet late afternoon walk through the cemetery.

I know!  You have to look away he's so cute!!!!!

Cullen makes Ethan look tiny!

Birthday Bonanza!

September, in this house is full of cake and ice cream.  Three out of the four of us celebrate birthdays!  But what I find most astonishing this year is that my BABY turned 13!!!!!!!!!  YIKES!  Scott and I like to quietly mark our passing years.  Fiona was celebrated in all her beauty at my parents house.  What a perfectly fall day!  The kids enjoyed the fresh air and their collective goofiness.  Dad cooked Fiona's favorite meal (roast chicken and all its fixings).  Instead of cake she went with make your own sundae.  Mmmmmm.  We have been relishing in the company of friends and quiet time at home the last few weeks.  Theo (Fiona's lovebird) has wiggled his way into all our hearts and feels like he's been a part of the family forever!  Fiona and Ethan adore their art teacher and have some serious sculptures in the works at their Wednesday Homeschool art class, and have been totally obsessed with climbing since joining the club at the rock gym.

I walked through her web trying to retrieve a frisbee.  I gagged when I saw her.  Can you gag out of fear?

Cookie picnic.

Nature girl made this for me.

Pizza after art.  Perfect combo.

This chalkboard gets SO much use!

Everyday....

I was crosseyed from this wallpaper in an open house we wandered through!

They dusted off their wheels and found they could still skate!

Right after we got the news that Theo was a boy, and he was ready to come home!

Scott and Fiona went to get the bird, while Ethan and I set up the cage.

He owns us.

Ethan preparing to belay Fiona.

Mimi and Theo.

Jessie and Theo.

Heather and Theo.

Jason and Theo.

Gampy and Theo.

Gammy and Theo.

Sandra and Theo.

Party time!!

Whatcha makin' Auntie?

Scott made a bow for his invisible arrow.  He's sooo clever!

Cathy and Theo.

Gotta love a good mustache.

The Gang.

Trouble.  These two are TROUBLE.

Fiona blew out her homemade ice cream from Gampy.

Can you see who is helping me?  Look closely.  See a tail feather?