Reflections

I was on sabbatical from my blog--not one I chose to go on but something that just happened for the last 3+ months. I have spent a lot of this time enjoying my husband and daughter.  I have also spent a lot of time reflecting and learning.

Before I start blogging again, I wanted to quickly update by way of photos some of the things we've been up to these last few months.

Now I must warn you, some of the photos are a bit out of chronological order and for some reason "Blogger" uploaded my dads visit & a few other events in two separate locations on this post so they are split in half. My apologies if it's a little confusing.  

September 13th
The night before Kindergarten starts

Walking to school, the night before her 1st day

My sweet girl praying for her school, new classmates and teacher

1st Day of School: September 14th 2011

The note I slipped in to her back pack.

special 1st day of school breakfast: pancakes w/ sprinkles and turkey bacon

My big girl

On her way.....

Somehow I managed to not cry.  I was just proud.  I can not believe we have arrived
at "school age" already.  I feel like I just gave birth to this sweet babe of mine.  

I honestly hands down can't get enough of my family.  I love these two.

In front of her classroom

She was so nervous

Before the parents were asked to leave Mrs. Foley read "The Kissing Hand."
Yep-one of those stories that makes all the moms get teary eyed.
Shhhh....don't tell Grace, but I got her this book for Christmas!

And, they did it!

All these silly kiddos had their first day of school....Grace, Hannah, Emily and Zaden had their first day of Kindergarten and sweet Nola had her first day of Preschool!!!

This photo makes me giggle

And, the proud mama's.  

Bite of the Berg

A super fun event held down town for the College kids.

Grace and I "snuck" in and had fun visiting all the vendors.

This was our favorite stop.  Who doesn't love getting dressed up in silly attire and posing for photos??!!

Grace started dance class again.

Her last year with Mrs. Sarah.

She has all new kiddos in her class this year & we are having so much fun getting to know their families.

Grandpas October 2011 Visit: Part 1

Grace showing Grandpa around her school

Manastash Ridge

Olmstead State Park

Columbia River

Hiking up Red Top Mountain

Leavenworth's Hat Shop

Thanksgiving in Spokane 2011

On Thanksgiving Day
Game Time

The ladies

The guys

Thanksgiving Talent Show

Statema Clan 2011

Moments To Remember 
Dance Show for the entire town.
2 shows later and my girl conquered her fears!
She danced and smiled her heart out.

Backtracking....


Girls Movie Night
One of my favorite things to host every few months.
They all eat dinner together, watch a "Chick Flick" together and then chow down on popcorn and desserts.

They watched a Barbie movie

Pizza/Movie night

And ate lollipops (after eating pizza & veggies though)

and cookie pops

Oh yes, and then we all got dressed up like princess
and danced around the house to Princess music.

Anderson Family Fall Festival
Early October

Dusty's Farm Fall Festival
Early October

1st sac race

Climb to Conquer Cancer (early October)

Loren's last Starbucks Community event

Some of the ladies I hiked with to raise money for cancer research.

U-Pick Pumpkin Path
Loren found and he picked!
Success.
(Mid. October)

And, in case you didn't know...
Grace is a super hero.
She is honestly, hands down convinced she has super hero powers.
Some of her super powers: Super eye sight, Speed and oh and she can fly.

I watch this little guy now who adores and I mean really really adores Grace.
She loves him too. They are two peas in a pod.  She asked me the other week if we could keep him forever.   She is a tremendous big sister to the little guy the two days a week we watch him....and, I say we because she's a huge help. (August - Present)

Suncadia Harvest Festival
Mid October

Friends from school joined us.  

Dad's Visit: Party 2

snoqualmie falls

Carey Lake

Carey Lake

story time

Look how eager she is to answer the question.
School is definitely her thing.
She is succeeding and making us incredibly proud

1st field trip on a school bus
My dad and I got to chaperon

My little cutie pie crew

Mrs. Foley's Kindergarten class 2011-2012

Wind Farms.
It was too cold and windy for me so I stayed back.

more photos from Leavenworth

Loren's last meeting with his Starbucks Crew

Goodbye Starbucks!

Daddy's last day of work at Starbucks.
Grace was very emotional about it.

 Halloween 2011

Brought two little monkeys downtown for some
trick or treating.  

And, Gracie's boy friend from class, Wyatt
What a sweet sweet boy he is!

My amazing friend, Sierra who had a great party at her house

trick or treating in Sierra's neighborhood

And, another lovely friend-Rachel-who was there too

Operation Christmas Child
One of our favorite things to do each Christmas
And, the best part is Grace can do it all by herself.
She decides what age group we need to buy for, picks out all the items (uses her own money) and then stuffs the "shoe" boxes. And, then we have her deliver them as well.

And, after a 3 year hiatus, we finally have family photos!
One of my favorites from the bunch.

Grace was in her first parade (Thursday November 10th).
The Veterans Day parade at Lincoln Elementary school

Sara and I

Tabitha and I 

A fun filled Jazzercise Birthday party for a little flower....

And, Thanksgiving in Spokane (more photos that got a mix up....sorry)

dinner time

Moment's To Remember Dance Performance

Santa Parade

Yes, she was in the parade....trailing behind Santa and his elves

And, that's the quick catch up.
Phew.  Lots of photos and still more to upload off of the camera.
I'm looking forward to finally blogging again.
I promised to not take a 3+ month hiatus again.
Thanks for baring with me while I update via photos.

Merry Christmas!

A Warm Fuzzy

Happy October.

I can't believe fall is among us.
The AC units have been moved out to storage and our two little portable heaters have moved back indoors.  Secretly I was hoping to not have to crank them back up until closer to November but alas it's just too darn chilly and this girl gets cold fast and stays cold all day. 

I have all my fall decorations up and everything seems so cozy in our little home. All the browns, oranges and yellows make my heart skip a happy beat.  We all love this time of year. There is something so special and moving about the drastic change that occurs from summer to fall.  The crispness in the air.  The colors. The zip up jackets.  The boots.  The smell of smoke coming from fire places.  Leaves starting to change.  Warm drinks.  Baking.  And, much more snuggles indoors with loved ones. And, it comes with it the anticipation of many holidays and birthdays to come.  I really need to get Grace some kind of magic calendar that counts down the days, minutes and seconds until Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas because she asks me every day and my math skills are not that......well....skilled.  

What are your favorite fall traditions?


What do you look most forward to this time of year?


A few things I'm most looking forward to (in October):
Harvest Festivals
Buying pumpkins (and carving them)
Baking lot's of pumpkin dishes
Collecting leaves with Grace
My dad's visit
Starting up a new Halloween tradition with some special friends
And, wishing my mama a very Happy Birthday on the 31st!

On a side note I am doing a fund raiser this Sunday called the Climb To Conquer Cancer. 

We will be hiking 2 miles up Manashtash Ridge.  

"The hike starts steep and continues steep for 2 miles on exposed desert terrain
all the way to the top of the ridge at memorial point, gaining about 2000 ft."

This hike raises money for Cancer Research.  It is something close to my heart as my aunt is a breast cancer survivor. I am doing this for her!!  I also have friends in their 20's who are battling cancer at this very moment.  Please pray for them and their young families as they fight for their lives.   If you would like to donate you still have time.  Please click on this link: Donate Here (click on donate and it will take you to my page.  The info on the page when you click the link is not accurate so you can just ignore the wordage-it won't let me change it)  Thank you for your support.  

Box Top For Education

Gracie's school is participating in the Box Top for Education Fundraiser.

You don't have to purchase anything you do not normally purchase.  

But, if you happen to buy any of the products listed below we would really appreciate it if you could mail us the Box Tops.  

This is an easy way to earn cash for Lincoln Elementary School.

Look for the pink Box Top on hundreds of participating products.  Each is worth .10 cents for the school.  

In addition to her school receiving .10 cents per box top, if Gracie's class collects 500 Box Top cut outs they will get a popcorn party.  If they collect 1500 they will receive a popcorn party and an ice cream party.  

Below is a list of all the products with Box Tops.  

If you would like our address please "Comment" on this post.  

Thank you for helping!!

BAKING

Desserts: • Betty Crocker® Brownie Mixes • Betty Crocker Complete Desserts® • Betty Crocker® Cookie Pouches • Betty Crocker® Decadent Supreme® • Betty Crocker® Frosting • Betty Crocker® FundamiddlesTM • Betty Crocker® Gluten Free Brownie Mix • Betty Crocker® Gluten Free Cake Mix • Betty Crocker® Gluten Free Cookie Mix • Betty Crocker® Sunkist® Lemon Bars • Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® Cake Mix • Betty Crocker® Variety Dessert Mixes • Betty Crocker® Warm Delights® Desserts • Betty Crocker® Warm Delights® Minis • Reese’s® Dessert Bar Mix

Breads, Muffins and Rolls: • Betty Crocker® Boxed Muffin • Betty Crocker® Quick Breads • Betty Crocker® Complete Pancake Mix • Betty Crocker® Pizza Crust • Bisquick® Baking Mix Boxes • Bisquick® Gluten Free • Bisquick Heart Smart® Mix • Fiber OneTM Complete Pancake Mix • Fiber OneTM Muffin Mix

Gold Medal® Flour

BEVERAGES

Nestle® Juicy Juice® All Flavors Nestle® Juicy Juice® (8-pack) 4.23 & 6.75 oz Nestle® Juicy Juice® Bottles (6-pack) 10 oz Nestle® Juicy Juice® Bottles 48, 64 & 96 oz Nestle® Juicy Juice® Sparkling Fruit Juice (4-pack) 8.4 oz

CEREAL

Basic 4® Cereal Cheerios® Cereal:

• Apple Cinnamon Cheerios® Cereal • Banana Nut Cheerios® Cereal • Berry Burst Cheerios® Cereal • Chocolate Cheerios® Cereal

• Cinnamon Burst Cheerios® Cereal • Frosted Cheerios® Cereal • Fruity Cheerios® Cereal • Honey Nut Cheerios® Cereal

• MultiGrain Cheerios® Cereal • Oat Cluster Cheerios® Crunch® Cereal • Yogurt Burst Cheerios® Cereal

Cascadian Farm® Cereals Chex® Cereal:

• Chocolate Chex® Cereal • Cinnamon Chex® Cereal • Corn Chex® Cereal • Honey Nut Chex® Cereal • Multi-Bran Chex® Cereal • Rice Chex® Cereal

• Strawberry Chex® Cereal • Wheat Chex® Cereal

Cocoa Puffs® Cereal: • Cocoa Puffs® Combos Cereal • NEW Cocoa Puffs® Brownie CrunchTM

Cookie Crisp® Cereal Dora The Explorer® Cereal Fiber One® Cereal:

• Fiber One® Caramel DelightsTM Cereal • Fiber One® Honey Clusters® Cereal • Fiber One® Raisin Bran Clusters® Cereal

Golden Grahams® Cereal Honey Nut Clusters® Cereal Kix® Cereal:

• Berry Berry Kix® Cereal • Honey Kix® Cereal

Cinnamon Toast Crunch® Cereal Lucky Charms® Cereal:

• Berry Lucky Charms® Cereal • Chocolate Lucky Charms® Cereal

Oatmeal Crisp® Cereal: • Oatmeal Crisp® Almond Cereal • Oatmeal Crisp® Raisin Cereal

Raisin Nut Bran Cereal Reese’s Puffs® Cereal Total® Cereal:

• Total® Blueberry Pomegranate Cereal • Total® Cinnamon Crunch Cereal • Total® Cranberry Crunch Cereal • Total® Honey Clusters Cereal

• Total® Plus Omega 3 Cereal • Total® Raisin Bran Cereal • Whole Grain Total® Cereal

Trix® Cereal Wheaties® Cereal:

• Wheaties Fuel® Cereal

FRESH PRODUCE

• Green Giant® Fresh Head of Iceberg Lettuce

• Green Giant® Fresh Head of Cauliflower • Green Giant® Fresh Bunched Broccoli • Green Giant® Fresh 3 count Bag of

Romaine Hearts

FROZEN

Green Giant® Vegetables: • Green Giant® Bagged Vegetables with Sauce • Green Giant® Just For One!® Vegetables

NEW Grands! ® Breakfast Sandwiches NEW Pillsbury® Egg ScramblesTM NEW Pillsbury® Pancakes (full & mini size) Pillsbury® Toaster Strudel® Pastries Pillsbury® Toaster Scrambles® Pastries Totino’s® Crisp Crust Party Pizza®

Totino’s® Pizza Rolls® Pizza Snacks NEW Totino’s® Pizza Stuffers

MEALS & SIDES

Betty Crocker® Specialty Potatoes Green Giant® Create a Meal® Green Giant® Canned Veggie Multi Pack Helpers:

• Hamburger Helper® Mixes • Chicken Helper® Mixes • Tuna Helper® Mixes

Hamburger Helper® Complete Meals Old El Paso®:

• Old El Paso® Dinner Kits • NEW Old El Paso® Original Seasoning • NEW Old El Paso® Reduced Sodium Seasoning • Old El Paso® Re-fried Beans • Old El Paso® Taco Shells • Old El Paso® Tortillas

Progresso® Soups Progresso® Broth Restaurant Favorites®

• Romano’s Macaroni Grill® • Wanchai Ferry®

Suddenly Salad® Mixes

REFRIGERATED & DAIRY

Cookies and Bars: • Pillsbury® Big Deluxe® Cookies • Pillsbury® Create 'n Bake® Cookies • Pillsbury® Ready To Bake! TM Cookies • Pillsbury® Simply Bake® Bars • Pillsbury® Simply...TM Cookies • Pillsbury® Sweet Moments®

Bite-Size Brownies • Pillsbury® Sweet Moments® Molten

Lava Brownies Breads and Rolls:

• Pillsbury® Breadsticks • Pillsbury® Country Italian Bread

• Pillsbury® Crescent Rolls • Pillsbury® Crescent Rounds • Pillsbury® Crusty French Bread • Pillsbury® Flaky Twists • Pillsbury® Grands!® Biscuits • Pillsbury® Grands! Jr.® refrigerated biscuits • Pillsbury® Grands!® Sweet Rolls • Pillsbury® Pizza Crust • Pillsbury® Simply...TM Biscuits • Pillsbury® Sweet Rolls

Butter, Margarine and Spreads: • LAND O LAKES® Butter (sticks) • LAND O LAKES® Fresh Buttery Taste® Spread

(sticks and tubs) • LAND O LAKES® Margarine (sticks and tubs) • LAND O LAKES® Spreadable Butter

Products Cheese:

• LAND O LAKES® Snack’N Cheese To-Go!® • LAND O LAKES® Chunk Cheese varieties in

the Dairy Case • LAND O LAKES® Pre-Sliced Deli Cheese (in the

deli or dairy case) • ALPINE LACE® Pre-Sliced Deli Cheese (in the

deli or dairy case) LAND O LAKES® Eggs:

• LAND O LAKES® All-Natural Eggs • LAND O LAKES® Omega 3 Eggs • LAND O LAKES® Cage Free Eggs • LAND O LAKES® Organic Eggs

Yogurt: • NEW Fiber One® Yogurt 4pks • Simply ... Go-GURTTM • NEW Yoplait® Bites • NEW Yoplait® Delights® Parfait 4pks • Yoplait® Go-GURT® Yogurt • Yoplait® Kids Yogurt • Yoplait® Kids Yogurt Drink • Yoplait® Light® 4pk • NEW Yoplait® Light Parfait with Granola • Yoplait® Original 4pk • NEW Yoplait® Smoothie • Yoplait® Splitz® Yogurt • Yoplait® Trix® Multipack Yogurt

SNACKS

Betty Crocker® Fruit-Flavored Shapes: • BatmanTM Fruit Flavored Shapes • Care BearsTM Fruit Flavored Shapes • Create A BugTM Fruit Flavored Shapes • Create A DinoTM Fruit Flavored Shapes • My Little PonyTM Fruit Flavored Shapes • Polly PocketTM Fruit Flavored Shapes

• Fairytale Princess® Fruit Flavored Shapes • Scooby-DooTM Fruit Flavored Shapes • Shark Bites Fruit Flavored Snacks • Spider-Man® Fruit Flavored Shapes

• Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesTM Fruit Flavored Shapes

• TonkaTM Fruit Flavored Shapes • Transformers Fruit Shapes

Betty Crocker® Fruit-Flavored Snacks: • Betty Crocker® Fruit Gushers® • Betty Crocker® Fruit by the Foot® • Betty Crocker® Fruit Roll-Ups®

• Fruit Roll-Ups® Fruit Stickerz® • Fruit by the Foot® Mini Feet • Fruit Roll-Ups® Mini Rolls

Bugles® Cascadian Farm® Granola Bars Cheerios® Snack Mix NEW Chex Mix® Gourmet Blends NEW Chex Mix® Muddy Buddies® Chex Mix® Select Chex Mix® Snack Mix Chex Mix® Treat Bars

Dunkaroos® Snacks NEW Fiber One® 80 Calorie Honey Squares NEW Fiber OneTM 90 Calorie Brownies Fiber One® Bars Fiber One® Squares Fiber OneTM Toaster Pastries Fruit Roll-Ups® Simply FruitTM Fruit Rolls Gardetto’s® Golden Graham® Snack Bars Lärabar® Multipaks Milk ’n Cereal Bars Nature Valley® Granola Bars:

• Nature Valley® Chewy Granola Bars with Yogurt • Nature Valley® Chewy Trail Mix Bars • Nature Valley® Crunchy Granola Bars • Nature Valley® Healthy Heart Chewy

Granola Bars • Nature Valley® Nut Clusters • Nature Valley® Roasted Nut Crunch Bars • Nature Valley® Sweet & Salty Nut Granola

Bars Nature Valley® Granola Thins NEW Sunkist® Fruit Snacks

APPAREL: PRINTED SHIRTS FOR SCHOOLS

Hanes® Printed T-shirts • Hanes® Beefy-T® T-Shirt • Hanes® ComfortBlend® EcoSmartTM • Hanes® ComfortSoft® Heavyweight • Hanes® Cool DRI® T-Shirt • Hanes® nano-TTM T-Shirt • Hanes® Tagless® T-Shirt

Hanes® Printed Polo Shirts Hanes® Printed Sweatshirts

• Hanes® ComfortBlend® EcoSmartTM • Hanes® Premium Cotton • Hanes® Ultimate Cotton®

SCHOOL & OFFICE SUPPLIES* • Boise® X-9® Hi-Brite Multipurpose Paper** • Boise® HD:PTM All-In-One Multipurpose

Paper** • Boise® X-9® Multipurpose Paper** • Boise® FIREWORX® Colored Paper** • Boise® HD PTM Premier Print Ink

Jet/Laser Printer Paper** • Avery® Dividers • Avery® Durable Binders • Avery® Glue Stic • Avery® Heavy Duty Binders • Avery® Labels • Avery® Label Pads • Avery® Name Badges • Avery® NoteTabs • Avery® Office Cards • Avery® PocketTabs • Avery® Report Covers • Avery® Sheet Protectors • Avery® Sticky Notes • Avery® T-Shirt Transfers • Hi-Liter® Brand Highlighters • Marks-A-Lot® Markers

STORAGE BAGS & CONTAINERS

Storage Bags: • Ziploc® Brand Big Bags • Ziploc® Brand Slider Freezer Bags • Ziploc® Brand Slider Storage Bags • Ziploc® Brand evolve® Bags • Ziploc® Brand Flexible Totes • Ziploc® Brand Freezer Bags • Ziploc® Brand Fresh Produce Bags • Ziploc® Brand Sandwich Bags • Ziploc® Brand Snack Bags • Ziploc® Brand Storage Bags • Ziploc® Brand Vacuum Bags • Ziploc® Brand Zip ‘n SteamTM Bags

Containers: • Ziploc® Brand Snap ‘n Seal Containers • Ziploc® Brand Twist ‘n Loc® Containers

PAPER PRODUCTS

Bath and Facial Tissue: • COTTONELLE® Bath Tissue • KLEENEX® Anti-Viral Tissue (75 & 112 count) • KLEENEX® Facial Tissue (184 Colors, 200, 240

& 260 count) • SCOTT® 1000 Count Bath Tissue • SCOTT® Extra Soft Bath Tissue

Towels & Napkins: • KLEENEX® Dinner Napkins (50 count) • SCOTT® Paper Towels • SCOTT® Rags in a Box • SCOTT® Shop Towels • VIVA® Paper Towels

Wipes: • COTTONELLE FRESH® Flushable Moist Wipes • SCOTT® Pre-Moistened Wipes

DISPOSABLE TABLEWARE & COOKWARE

Disposable Cookware • Hefty® EZ Foil® Pans

Disposable Cups: • Hefty® Clear Colors Disposable Cups • Hefty® Crystal Clear Disposable Cups • Hefty® Easy Grip® Disposable Cups • Hefty® Zoo Pals® Cups

Disposable Plates and Serveware: • Hefty® Crystal Clear Plates • Hefty® Diamond DeluxeTM Paper Plates • Hefty® Elegantware® Plates and Bowls • Hefty® Everyday Foam Plates and Bowls • Hefty® Hearty MealsTM Plates and Platters • Hefty® SuperweightTM Plates and Bowls • Hefty® SupremeTM Plates and Bowls • Hefty® Zoo Pals® Funtensils • Hefty® Zoo Pals® Plates and Bowls

WASTE BAGS

• Hefty® Cinch Sak® Waste Bags • Hefty® EasyFlaps® Waste Bags • Hefty® The Gripper® Tall Kitchen Waste Bags • Hefty® Kitchen Fresh® Tall Kitchen Waste

Bags • Hefty® Ultra FlexTM Waste Bags

WATER FILTRATION SYSTEMS AND FILTERS

• Brita® Bottle • Brita® Faucet Filtration Systems • Brita® Faucet Replacement Filters • Brita® Pitchers • Brita® Pitcher Replacement Filters • Brita® UltraMax Dispenser

Earn cash for your school every time you shop for groceries. Clip Box Tops from hundreds of your favorite products.* Each Box Tops coupon is worth 10¢ for your school—and that adds up fast!

visit boxtops4education.com for more great ideas to earn cash for your school!

SEPT 2011

A Dash of Random

The Grinch

What a great Sunday.  Loren had to work so Grace and I jumped in the car and decided to go on a trail walk.  After our walk around Carey Lake, Grace slipped off her socks and shoes and stepped into the chilly water.  She is adamant about finding shells these days, even if it means frozen toes.  She can't wait for Grandpa to bring her sea shells and a starfish from Florida.  She talks about it every single day, dreaming about the kinds of shells he is going to bring her.  She wants a full on collection.  It was a wonderful way to end our day. The sun was setting, the temperature was dropping, there was a quiet that allowed us to hear all the crickets singing in the bushes. The grasshoppers danced all around us giving us a freight ever now and then.  It was quite perfect in my book.  While Gracie's feet were drying, we watched some of the college guys (it's Welcome Week at CWU) use the "Grinch" to ski across the lake with out a boat.  It was pretty spectacular and something we have never seen before.  I love little surprise.

Not to be confused with THE Grinch

On the way home, Grace and I were listening to the radio.  There was a guest speaker on and he was talking about the three things kids need most: Love (being loving and teaching how to love).  Limits (setting boundaries, teaching respect, saying No....).  Time (Quality & Quantity-not over committing your kids with extra curricular activities (how it's harmful vs. helpful in the long run), having meals together daily, getting rid of the abundant use of technology so you can have abundant family time together instead etc.).  


I was so grateful for this message.  It was refreshing, reassuring and a good reminder.   These are the three things Loren and I strive to be/do as parents on a daily basis.  We don't always succeed at all three at the same time but it's our goal and has been since Grace was a newborn. 
Another little surprise and blessing. Thank you K-Love.    



Grace is loving school.  And, when I am not working, I am enjoying having that 2.5 hour time block to myself.  
Sorry, I haven't put up any photos yet.
Our IPhoto is acting up and it's some how *gulp* sent my 1st day of Kindergarten photos into the oblivion.  I am praying Loren can work his magic and find them for me.  I will write more about Kindergarten in a few days when i have photos to go along with it.


I am truly enjoying our newish bedtime routine.  And, so is Grace.  It's definitely Win Win. Last night we got done with pre-quiet time stuff early so she had 45 minutes to read to herself.  Blissful heaven for my little book lover.   If you don't remember the new routine you can find it HERE.  
And, because of the elongated "quiet time" last night, by 7:30/lights out, I had finished all my daily night time cleaning: hand wash dishes, laundry, sweep, vacuum, clean off kitchen counters, dining room table, living room.  But, I also cleaned the bathroom too and earlier I had Grace help me tidy up her playroom and bedroom. Hooray!  This allowed me, while Grace was in school today, the joy of being able to focus on things other than cleaning up the house, like enjoying a coffee date with a friend.  




I can not believe fall is upon us. 
As much as I'm dreading winter, I have visions of pumpkins dancing in my head.
Pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin scones, pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread.....
Oh the possibilities.
And, my dad is coming to visit the last full week in October so I'll have an excuse to make all this yummy goodness.  Dad, I hope you like pumpkin!  

And on a final and not so random note:  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Mark Statema, (Aunt) Sandy Inbody and Sara Weidenbach.