Cousin Fun

Our little nephew Simon has been visiting at Grandma's house quite a bit lately because my brother Nathan has been doing work for them there. Vitali has enjoyed having his little cousin to play with!

The coziest holiday of the year...

I am getting ready to bake tomorrow. Family is coming. The kids are excited. We have so much to be thankful for--I just love this time of year!

Remember Who deserves our thanks!

I hope you will all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Look what Annette found in the basement next to the toybox:

...A black widow.

Posting a picture with no words makes me think of my friend Rachel, whose pictures blow mine away. 'Course, now it's not a picture with no words...

You say "Obamanation"

... I say "Abomination".

Either way, It's not good.

Anybody else willing to admit to being bummed at this election, even though it is not the "spiritually correct" reaction?

...or maybe it is.

Fun weekend

We never trick or treated when I was growing up. I used to think that people who did were devil worshipers or something! Even though this is true for some people, somewhere along the way I have changed my mind. Yes, I know about the pagan roots of the day and all but other holidays we celebrate have very pagan roots and Christians have taken them over! I like the victory in that and am proud of it. Now, I don't pretend to make Halloween into a Christian holiday but I do recognize that it has been "secularized" into pretty much a celebration of candy and costumes for much of the general public. Us included.

I don't blame or look down on those who don't celebrate it. Of course not! I can see both sides quite well. But really, for us, I see it as a kind of statement we make by celebrating it without the ghoulish parts.

Anyway, I go on and on sometimes...

We took the kids to trick or treat with some friends on Friday and on Saturday our church had it's annual Fall Festival which the kids all love. It was the first year for the boys and they were in awe!

Enjoy a few of my favorite pictures--in all mixed up order:

Hannah, Max, Misha, Annette, Vitali and Ivy

We split up at the church. Annette loved being biggest kid with Ivy and Vitali.

Vitali bragged about this one to the other boys. This policeman let him talk into his radio.

WHEEEEE!!!!!!

Having a good time!

Butterfly-Annette

"Police mam" That's how Misha says it.

Soldott. or in English, "Soldier" Vitali

What else would Ivy be?

Spider Max!