Marja goes to Homecoming

Marja is our exchange student for Germany that will be staying with us until February. She went to the Homecoming dance last Saturday, she said, she always hears and sees it in movies and such so she wanted to experience it for herself since they don't have anything like this in Germany. She said she had fun, but didn't dance to much. I thought I would post a couple of pictures of her since she was so beautiful.

Today was a very Fall day, it was sunny and cool. Fall is my favorite season! I love everything about it, the colors, the weather, pumpkins, leaves, the feel I get when fall is here. I especially love making yummy things with pumpkin; muffins/bread, pancakes, shakes, choc. chip pumpkin cookies you name it I would probably try it with pumpkin. Pete thinks I am a little crazy! Why do I only make these things during the fall, since I like them so much? I think it just make Fall that much better and special, it just wouldn't be the same if I made them all the time, I am not sure I would enjoy them as much ;)

This last weekend I got out all our Fall decorations and I bought new yummy smelling candles, pumpkin spice and apple cider. Candle just make the home so inviting. I decorated our front entry way with leaves and a scarecrow sitting on some crates holding Fall Welcome signs. I would like to get some corn stalks and a few little pumpkins, since ours in the garden aren't quite ready yet.

Well, Pete has been doing a lot of pruning around the yard, today he pruned a maple tree on the side of the house. When I went out to talk to him this is what I found

They were using some of the branches from the maple tree to make walking sticks...wood carving tools and all. The kids really enjoyed themselves, and I think Pete did too.

I think Abby said she was carving a deer foot?

Austin's walking stick. You can't really see it in the picture, but Pete carved out some designs for the handle. On Steven's he made a dragon, he is really a talented guy. :)

Whew, what a busy day. Tuesdays are a chaotic day this year, we are on the go from the time we get up, until the time we go to bed. We have ORLA (Olympia Regional Learning Academy, a parent partnership program) from 9:30-12:30, then we head to the YMCA for P.E. 1:00-3:00, we are then luck enough to come home for a couple of hours, before heading out again for Power Tap 6:00-7:00 and Taekwondo 6:45-7:45. When we get home the kids go to bed, then I can find a little time to chat with Pete or find myself before heading off to bed myself. Are you tired yet??LOL

Today was the first day of ORLA for us, I think the kids really enjoyed themselves. I think it will be a nice mix with homeschool. Abby really craves the socialization and I think ORLA will give her that "school setting" she is looking for. Steven enjoyed himself, it gives him a nice taste of "school".

Well it's late so I am off to bed. Goodnight!

First Cultural Gathering

Each week with Children Around the World there is a cultural gathering, where we celebrate the country we have been studying. We finished up with our first week talking about our family, traditions and whatnot. So this gathering Abby prepared a menu of Tortellini, casear salad, parmesan pull apart rolls. For dessert we had Ice Cream and then after dessert we played charades. Abby did a great job preparing everything. It was a lot of fun, I am really looking forward to the other gatherings. Here are some pictures, I forgot to take more after everything was cooked and of us eating.

Passport Pictures

The kids made their passports today for our Children Around the World trip. Each country we study they will get a stamp in their passport and then tell a little about that country.