Lebanon in 2014

Another of my trips to Lebanon. Pictures turned out pretty good. One is left off because it's a Christmas present to my daughter but will probably post at a later time.

The usual group minus D.K. Had fun in the A-Frame building which I dislike due to the harsh lighting in there but didn't have a problem this year as I was behind most of the lighting.
Got a lot done this time.

Even started some garment sewing which I haven't done in many years. That was fun especially since it was a very small piece for my granddaughter. Her mother liked the material and it will be a lovely corduroy jumper in red and brown plaid colors.





                         

Hubby loaned me the CRV due to 4-wheel drive and the weather held off so no big storms. A pleasant trip was had by all.

Halloween Fun

Daddy and Elie the bunny

Halloween was a first for me with the grandkids. We had a wonderful time.











Thursday they all came over and carved pumpkins and had dinner with Michael and I.

The two little skeletons

Friday the grandkids wanted to show off their costumes and comb the neighborhood.

 

 

 

            

A Weekend to Remember

This past weekend Michael, I, Karen, Daniel, Hannah, and Elie went down to The University of Wisconsin for the weekend. The main reason for going down was to go to Homecoming at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. 

Michael and I in the parade

Michael was honored on Friday evening with the annual BILSA (Business, Industry, Life Science & Agriculture) Alumni Chapter Service Award. Saturday morning Michael and I rode a convertible in the Homecoming parade. That was a little uncomfortable for both of us. We then drove down to Cuba City for a very short visit and then on to Madison for the evening.

Hannah took this picture along the way of an unknown but lovely scene

Sunday we hit all the Farmer's Markets and took in the sights including the fall colors. Beautiful.

September Birthdays

Birthdays have been lacking in the fall months but when Daniel married Hannah it became apparent that September was going to be a busy month for "happy, happy birthday...."  Both Hannah and Aiden are September babies so since we have December and January covered and May, June and August (what happened to July???) covered we now have a fall month covered.

Aiden with his new bible

 Aiden turned 4 and I decided it was time that he had his own bible to take to church with him. There are a gazillion different childrens bibles to choose from. He loves books that rhyme so I picked one where the bible stories rhyme. He  didn't appreciate the clothes but hey, he's 4. Growing is part of the deal and he needed clothes (by the way, so is his hair since he is now cancer free). We also threw in a Jake & the Neverland Pirates pillow which he DID appreciate. Gotta have a few toys in there somewhere.  Hannah is now a quarter of a century old. We were going to give her a gift card to Target but I knew she would probably spend it on the kids (diapers, etc.) so I got her something on Amazon which was actually for Elie and some DVD's she wanted.  

Hannah opening her presents with help from Elie

 

 Anyway, since Hannah had a gathering of her family from her mom and dad's side on Friday, a friend party on Sunday, we decided to have a small get together at our place yesterday (Tuesday). Between married people, school responsibilities, and work we just decided to celebrate it before it got to be October. The pictures are not the greatest but I couldn't resist posting them here. Such wonderful looking people.

playing a quick game of Candyland

 

State Fair 2014

I LOVE cotton candy!

I did manage to go to the State Fair this year. I don't go much anymore since my feet, knees and energy is 63ish but I decided to go since I now have grandchildren and I have always believed that kids can make a mediocre experience that much better and more interesting. More interesting is probably the word I'm looking for. I went during the week (less crowds) and took with me my son Daniel and his wife Hannah.

Hannah, Daniel, Elie and Aiden

The interesting (and better!) part came in the form of Aiden and Elie. I was a a bit apprehensive anticipating a stroller, two eventually tired toddlers, and a lot of "I want" coming out of their mouths. That didn't happen as Elie doesn't talk actual words yet, although she does plenty of talking, and Aiden is SO very good at accepting things as they come. It's like he knows that his loved ones are not rich and they do the best they can at helping him have a good time with what they have. The giant slide was definitely on his list!

Daniel & Elie

And we did! Walking around and sharing with each other the stuff we wanted to see, do or eat. At one time I asked Hannah what she wanted to do next and she responded with "I don't care. I'm only here for the food". I had to laugh at that one. We all did really well not gorging ourselves on a lot of junk.

my fun purse

The highlight came when Hannah introduced me to some purses at the International Bazaar area that sold fabric purses very inexpensively and with a discount coupon in the Blue Discount Book of $8 that more than paid for the use of it. As we left the fair and headed for the car








I realized that it was one of the more pleasant and relaxing times I had had at the fair, aching feet aside.

the "fam" enjoying the fair

Diversity

Took Aiden to the park last week for about an hour. It was a park that I grew up around and I noticed it had changed a lot over the years. Demographics aside, they had added more play equipment and the building was locked up like Fort Knox. I found that out when Aiden announced that he had to use the bathroom and we were forced to leave. Too bad they can't have something that wouldn't be vandalized that people could access for a reasonable request like using a restroom.

Anyway, I named my post "Diversity" because the playground had about 35 kids with parents there and Aiden and I were the only two that were white and didn't speak Spanish. It is amazing how children can look past limitations and still have lots of fun and can interact in ways we wouldn't think of. One little boy latched onto Aiden, leading him into all kinds of games on the playground equipment. The only English his mother said he knew was "hey boy" which worked for Aiden. You'd never say that to a black kid. Amazing.

Centenial Lakes Park

Made another trip to Centennial Lakes Park a couple weeks ago. This time I decided to take Aiden since I had asked to have some time with him. I had a definite plan to ride on the paddle boats and look at the ducks, etc. The paddle boats were fun although he has a boot on due to a fractured foot (fell off a slip n' slide that was elevated somehow) and his feet were too short to paddle so I had a real workout keeping us moving. They charge by the half hour so we decided after that to head back to the car.

Unfortunately I parked waaay to far from where I was suppose to park so carrying him was a difficult endeavor. We did the piggyback way, the front carry and then he wanted to be on my shoulders. I still don't believe it but I lifted him up all the way and over my head onto my shoulders. I guess those free weights I throw around at L.A. Fitness paid off.  It was the easiest way for us to maneuver through the park. After that we went back to my house and made cookies; one of Aiden's more enjoyable endeavors; esp with a broken foot.


 

I continue to plan outings with him and will eventually have some time with Elie as well. I have a Pack & Play in my back room for naps so I guess that makes me official!