Halloween

Dean & Sean on the porch watching for Trick or Treaters

Sean didn't really "dress up" for Halloween this year. He just did a bit of silliness with his hair. In the end it had gave him a purple skunk stripe, so I gave it the title of Purple skunk head. It was amazing how shiny the silver and purple in his hair looked outside under the porch lights. Truly shiny.

Carla & Sean

Carla & Sean sitting around on the sofa this afternoon. Carla is just so odd. I do believe that she thinks that she is a person.

The Madgridal Singers

Seeding in the Rain

Dean took opportunity this afternoon of the wet weather and added in some seed to the bare areas of the lawn. At least he got it in before the heavier rains began falling.

Saga of the Lawn

Dean took advantage of the wonderfully cool weather this afternoon and mowed the lawn. After all the rain that we had had the grass seed that he had planted in the early fall had taken to growing as fast as kudzu. The yard is now all trimmed and tidied up just before we are expecting some additional rain. At the pace that precipitation is falling we will have a fabulous lawn by Spring.

Highland Games & Celtic Festival

The kids gave me a ticket to the Highland Games & Celtic Festival this year. This has sort of become my annual birthday present. Walter started out three years ago and then this year Danielle decided to jump in and give it a try.

The day didn't look as if it was going to cooperate weather wise. There were lots of clouds with threats of potential rain, which thankfully did not materialize. We had prepared for the worse with umbrellas which took on a whole new use as canes or walking sticks.

Walter drove me to the games and we met up with Ben & Danielle. It turned into a major shopping and festive time. Walter was happy as a clam just "lurking" about watching all the going ons. Once he got into doing some shopping he found a couple of things but waited and shopped around for his best bargains. Ben & Danielle hunted high and low for the proper tartan scarves, which of course they found.

Danielle with her McDonald plaid and badge & Ben with his Douglas plaid and badge.

Walt with his purchase, a replica Highlander sword. He spent a lot of time haggling on this one.

Around noon the crowd gathered at the field to watch the massed band perform and to see the parade of the clans. The bagpipes were amazing.

Massing of Bands and Clans

Danielle & Walter

I guess next to watching "big men throwing stuff" the major entertainment of the day was to watch the ferret legging. Yes, that's right ferret legging. Below is a photo of the ferret participants in this extremely humorous pub sport. I can only imagine this actually occurring in a public place without it being a planned exhibition.

Ferrets on the field.

There were four volunteer contestants, three men and a woman. Which seemed a bit odd, but...to each his own. The ferret handlers presented each contestant with their very own ferret, which was promptly dropped down their pants. One contestant even volunteered to have two ferrets in his pants, but then again this man had already shown his bravery by wear a kilt for the day. After the ferrets had taken their places the fun really began, the ferret seemed to really enjoy traveling up and down the pants legs and trying to get out of the pants legs at the ankles.

Men with ferrets in their pants. The man in all black has two.

To the amazement of all, all of the contestants were able to keep the ferrets in their pants for three full minutes. What a hilarious way to end a day.

Ultrasound number 3

Danielle had her third ultrasound today. Everything is going well. Faith is growing and really moving around.

Faith

Walter's Camp Out

Word has come via the family jungle drums that Walter is enjoying himself at the company camp out. He has been put in charge of the fire. Talk turned to his new tent and it was said that he had himself a "Million Dollar Hotel" of a tent. Maybe we can get a picture of it sometime after he returns.

Republican Round Up

Congressman Eric Cantor speaking at the Republican Round Up.

Congressman Eric Cantor

Jerry Kilgore, candidate for Governor of Virginia.

Before all the speeches got under way, Sean enjoyed himself participating in several of the activities that were available. The climbed behind the wheel of the race car to and managed to scamper to the top of the rock wall like an old pro.

Slipping behind the wheel of a race car.

Climbing the "rock wall".


Sean masterfully reaches the top.

It's Gone...

Oh No, the McDonald's where I once worked has been torn down. But... not for long it will be back better than ever before the end of the year.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEAN!

Wow! Today is the BIG day. Sean turned 13. Now all our bunchkins are teenagers.

Sean reading a birthday card.


Showing off the 4x4 that his sister gave him for his birthday.


Time for a little bite of cake.


Treking through Rockwood Park.

Carla

Danielle and Walter had Carla acting up this afternoon. She was flipping and rolling on the floor like a puppy.

Carla acting strange.

Five Months Down

Another month down.

Rain

It has finally happened. The rain is falling consistently. Everything here has been so parched and the rain is most welcomed.

Sign Language Class

I have signed up for an Sign Language (ASL) class at Mom's church. It seems that the class will be really neat. Alice, Mom & Danielle are also attending. The hope is that we'll all be able to converse with Terry. Later....perhaps as time goes on we will be able to talk to one another without saying a word.

We all have homework to do before next weeks class, being able to finger spell 25 words. Wow. Yet that only averages a little over 3 words a day, so it isn't really that bad.

Ring Ceremony

The Juniors received their class rings this evening. The ceremony was held during the evening. Danielle participated with her chorus group singing the Star Spangled Banner at the beginning of the ceremony. Danielle's ring is silver with a mother of pearl stone. It looks lovely.

Danielle receiving her class ring during the Ring Ceremony at school.

Danielle and her "other brother" Carson.

Samuel's Birthday Party

The nephew turned six this week, and had his party this weekend. We had a nice time with cake and ice cream. The birthday boy spent lots of time playing and enjoying himself. The rest of the family had a nice time visiting and watching.

Uncle Dean helps out one of the nieces with her folding chair.

Mom taking pictures.

Sean attempting to start a fire the old fashioned way.

Neighborhood Block Party

A local church group put on a block party in our neighborhood this afternoon. We strolled down to have a look around. There was face painting, a moonwalk, and of course food.

Sean visits the face painting station at the neighborhood block party.