With Our Five Grand-kids!

Daughter Jentry, son-in-law Joe & the girls drove up from Astoria on Fri. evening.  Joe went to visit his grandmother.  Jentry & the girls were looking forward to seeing Cousin Mason!  Excited doesn't half describe how happy I was to have all five Grandkids together in one place!  (We all missed having Papa with us though.)

Ben, Grammy, Cassidy, Mason, Skyla & Josie

It was another bright, warm, beautiful day.  Perfect for a walk to one of the neighborhood parks!  I took the camera & made the rounds as the kids played.

Josie the acrobat!

Someone left a wiggle board at the park & it only took Ben once to figure out how to use it!

Ben~

Skyla, the fastest girl at her school, is now outrunning the boys!

Skyla on the bars~

Cassidy was designated as our guide & leader - Luna came along too! As with any Beagle, the last thing she wanted to do was go down the slide :-)

Cassidy & Luna~

Josie was willing to try anything, anyway that worked :-)

Josie on the wiggle board~

Skyla about to have a tree fall on her :-)

I could never get enough of this bunch... When I think of how fast the years have gone since Ben was born. Then - Mason & Cassidy in the next three-years following.  Eleven-years after Ben; Skyla, the following year, Josie, blessed us with their arrival!  Almost a second generation of Grandkids!   It was difficult for us all - when the Wright family moved to OR.  Now, we all keep in touch through real-time media.

Josie, Skyla, brother Ben, Luna & cousin Cassidy~

We missed having Mason with us too, but the kids had played video games earlier.  I'd made another double batch of cookies, they were consumed! Josie drew two works of art that now hang on our refrigerator.  I'm looking forward to my visit with them all again next month!  Mason has just started his third chemo session - staying strong & brave throughout.  We're all so proud of him!  I'll be there in time for the fourth & final round - to see him Finish!  He's inviting everyone to the party he's planning!

Home Sweet Home~

Fall, one of the two most beautiful season's anywhere.  I'd missed the first couple weeks & the changes seemed swift.  The weather these early October days, has been beautiful for the third year in a row.  Mid-60's, a light breeze & only a couple nights when the temperatures have dropped below freezing.

Backyard - 10-4-2018

My first week home, I felt like I was in a daze.  Linus said to expect one day for each hour of time difference.  I found that to be true.  I had to fight my way through the afternoon, when the urge to go to bed hit full force!  About 2 a.m. I'd wake up & be ready for the day :-)  I've decided that moving forward in time is relatively easy. Going back though, seemed difficult for me.

10-9 Mr. Squirrel in his fall colors~

Before leaving, I hadn't even begun decorating for fall.  But now, I was motivated to get it done.  My favorite time of year & I wanted to enjoy it - both inside & out.

10-13 Back Deck~

The deck has become everyone's favorite hangout.  Sitting high over the rest of the yard, we were oh so lucky to get the view & privacy.  Not as much in the winter months, when we can see across to the neighbors on the far side, but enough.

Lights on~

I'd ordered more of my favorite fall lights from Ben Franklin in Monroe last year.  They sent me four boxes & I hope they last a long while.  I can't even find them on-line.  There're a combination of brown, gold & orange.  The plant, lasted one more week before it's leaves started falling off.

Hoot~

Hoot - almost didn't make it.  He was one of the last things to come out of the woods.  He'd just been wrapped in a black bag.  He was also one of the last items to be taken out of storage.  A little the worse for wear, with a broken ear & the tip off his nose.  I used super glue & decided that his days of being out in the weather are over.  The deck is more protected & I can enjoy him from the family room too.

Hoot with Mason & Cassidy, 4-11-2010

Hoot's job was to keep Mason & Cassidy on the correct trail in the Homestead's woods.  :-)  One day the two of them were lost.  Butch & I were hiding to see what they'd do.  Mason to Cassidy;  "Cassidy...  There's Hoot!  We've been this way before!"  Cassidy younger but oh so much wiser than her brother replied;  "I Know Mason!"  Neither of them did - but they weren't in the slightest worried about it.

East end of the deck~

It kept my mind somewhat occupied finishing up the Italy stories.  With this weather, Butch & I are working on the old shed.  Time for the tarp we put over the roof last year to go!  Now, it's a rush to get a new roof on before the rain comes!  I'm already looking forward to February.  My winter visit with those five special Grand-kids, their parents too of course :-) & my special mare!