Familes are like fudge, mostly sweet with a few nuts







In "tune" with the season

We had a Halloween Recital/party for all the family that was around last night. Our costumes were all just amazing ;-) In Kyle's family we had three fairies, an elephant, 2 cats and the grim reaper. Brett's family featured two ducks, a duck hunter and the Fish and Game warden. Josh brought a family of Supers. Raggedy Andy, aka Dad, was the MC for the program. Everyone was involved in the recital - piano or voice or scary surprise. Grandpa and Grandma came for the fun too. I think Grandma is doing super well with her new hip! After the program we played the donut-on
-the-string game and Grandma brought Halloween owl treats for the kids. Enjoy all the videos of the fun talents. Some are not complete but you get the idea. Just for your information, Elden did NOT play "Three Black Bears". He played "Three Black Spiderman Cats"! James was too stage shy to perform with the family but he did it for us later by himself. Hailey sang a song from her Primary Program and she really likes to sing!. Katelyn and Addie are doing excellent with their piano and Josh and Shanalee had fun doing their duet. The last video is Grandpa, Mark, Brett and Hailey doing the donuts. Brett always finds the short cut, but the others were much more entertaining. I just wish I had a gotten a video of Dad telling his great Halloween jokes... such as: Why didn't the skeleton go to the prom? He had noBODY to go with! or What game do ghosts like best? Hide and go Shriek! He had some great ones!






Winter Already?

I was really hoping for a long drawn out fall. I guess it proves that hope is not enough, and obviously I did not have enough faith. The storm started Thursday and hasn't let up yet. These pictures of the yard were taken Thursday afternoon. We were told to expect a frost, but nothing about snow for 3 days. Our garden is ruined, we lost the plums just as they were ripened, and now no more raspberries. So sad.



One week later: Happy day - the snow insulated everything so we didn't lose the plums, the raspberries, or the garden! Maybe we will have a long fall after all.

Charlie we will always LOVE you

Charles Montgomery Schwieder

July 24, 1999 - October 4, 2011









Yesterday we did one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. We took Charlie to the vet for the last time.
I will remember Charlie as a wonderful dog, a loving friend, and a wonderful companion for my children. Thank you Charlie for everything. See you in heaven.