We've added two new members to our household. We adopted them both from the Kansas Humane Society. The cat was named Tuesday---she is about 4 months old. Dyson is changing her name to Ninja. The puppy is part Huskie and is about 2 months old. She is also a girl and her name was Noelle. Dave says the name is too close to "no" so we are looking for a new name for her, too.
Odessa won an eye patch in her reading program. She needed 50 points for it. She tells me a story why pirates actually wore eye patches. She says they actually used the eye behind the patch when they were trying to see in dark places. Nola is wearing a pair of glasses that are also Odessa's. She got them for Halloween. Nola loves them and runs around the house laughing.
Nola is wearing her "new" outfit from Grandma Louise. She likes the snaps because she can take it off in seconds flat. She likes to play with the Christmas ornaments. She put Odessa and Dyson's Christmas stocking ornaments on her hands and was clapping. She is always moving. This morning it is just the two of us. Odessa and Dyson are back at school today (even though Dyson thought he might "skip.")
Nola loves her sunglasses. She thinks it's fun to wear them anytime. These were from Uncle Mike and Auntie Kendra. 'Outside?'
These pics were taken on Sunday, November 16th (Happy Birthday Grandma Louise!). It was so beautiful and had to be near 70 degrees. The kids showed off their swing set skills and Nola played with Lucy. Lucy gave her kisses.
November 14th is a very special day. It was Odessa's birthday. We had a little party with some of her friends---they played hide and seek, Johnny Appleseed (I'd never heard of that one), and ran through our backyard til they were very cold. We ate cake and opened presents. It was a fun time. I thought about that tiny, wide-eyed little baby I brought home from the hospital eight years ago. Man, here we are. Grandpa Paul says only eight more years to go til she's sixteen!
Odessa was a princess, Dyson was a black cat, and Nola---a fierce little dragon. We went from house to house with the trio. Nola was given a sucker at one house; she immediately tore off the wrapper and popped it into her mouth. Nola and Dyson went home early. It was Nola's bedtime, but Dyson had started to say things to people when they would give him candy like: 'I hate that!' or 'I didn't get a sucker!' Next year we are going to have a trial run at our own house first to make sure everyone is being, well, maybe just a little gracious... Our neighbor said that she had 57 kids come to her house! There were kids out everywhere in pretty large groups, running through the neighborhood. My favorite little kid costume was a witch with a gorgeous green, sparkly face. I missed out: Dave said there was a teenager dressed up as 'Pinhead'---remember him? Dave says you wouldn't want to fall over in that kind of costume!
This is Odessa's pumpkin she got at a pumpkin patch on Tuesday. She named it "Pumpy." She drew the face and I carved it. She helped play in the mush and seeds. There is a vanilla candle inside so it smells very nice. The kids are very excited for Halloween night---we have a large stash of candy for everyone! Even Nola gets to go trick-or-treating this year.
My Mom (Louise) and Jim were married on October 11. We travelled to ND to see them. It was a beautiful wedding---my favorite part was when the soloist sang 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow.' Very sweet, very touching. We got to visit Grandpa Paul and Grandma Deb, too. There's a pic of me and Than at the wedding. The one of the kids horsing around was when we got back to Wichita.
Well, this is it! Tomorrow is October. Whew!!! We are still in the midst of warm weather and sunshine---still wearing shorts! I am actually looking forward to the cool, fall weather. The news said that we might want to turn our furnaces on last night because it was going to drop into the high 40s. Not this North Dakota native! I turned off the AC. :) Hope you are all enjoying the season!
Cousin Julie came to visit us on her way to the East Coast. The kids were so excited to see her. They played games together and read books. She gave them piggy back rides all over the house and up and down the stairs. They love it when Julie visits! Dyson wanted her to stay even longer. 'What if I came home from school and you were still here?' :)
Daddy loves sugar cookies. The kids love making them with Daddy. These are the best there is and the many, many colors of sprinkles just makes them better. We eat a couple every day. It is good for your health. :) Also, just a note.... Nola and I were playing before her bedtime. She put a hat on my head. Then she patted my hair and gave me a kiss. Very sweet. This is the first time she has done that. :)
We wash the cars on Labor Day Weekend. We also get donuts---that is a Saturday tradition. Odessa helped scrub the van and ended up all wet. Dyson hangs out and plays with Daddy's tools. Right now he especially likes the vise grip. He uses it to crush matches. The pic of Nola caught her trying to grab the camera; my funny face girl.
This morning on our long walk, Nola suddenly began "exclaiming" and pointing skyward. MOON! Moon, moon, moon I told her. She found it hanging there in the morning sky. I was completely proud. In the pictures above, Nola is wearing a little outfit that Uncle Mike bought while he was in India (?) for big sister Odessa about 7 years ago. 
Grandma Pat and Grandpa Ben came to visit all the way from North Dakota; actually they were already in Denver and thought that we were pretty close for a side stop. About 7 and a half hours later, they were here! Today, we ate at Firkin & Bull. It is a pub-style restaurant that serves things like Shepard's Pie, Corned Beef & Cabbage, and lots of beer. On the wall was a sign that read: 'Ale's what cures ya!'
Time for goodbyes. We will miss Grandma and Grandpa very much. Until next time!
Dyson noticed that yesterday the Blog did not have any pictures of him. So I promised that today would be his day!
The first day of school for Odessa is here! She was so excited that she even wore her backpack while she ate breakfast!
Odessa got a new umbrella this past week. She and Nola posed for me in our living room.
Odessa lost her latest tooth this morning. I can't remember how many it is now---possibly number 9? Only a week to go before school starts. I just can't believe it!
