School Halloween Party

This was the first of five Halloween Parties. Once again myself and one other was in charge of getting the school Halloween party together. With some wonderful help with games, food, etc it went off without a hitch! 600 children and their families had a wonderful time! This year only Cai Lynn and Jared attend this school. WOW! Where does the time go?




Ready to go!





Yep, that's me on the right. I was on food an drink duty at the time.

Bryan's Birthday

On October 23 Bryan would have celebrated his 28th birthday. We met in the morning at his grave site and then we all went to lunch.


When we got there one of his friends had already been there with a card, flowers and a ping pong paddle. (Bryan loved ping pong and even won tournaments.)


We also brought flowers



Holding a picture of Bryan when he was 10







Cousins



Reading the writing on the paddle


Enjoying the flowers




Bryan is with us every day even though we cannot see him. He is forever in our hearts,

October Overture

For the first time I had two kids at this event in different schools. Every year by invitation the Honor choirs join up at Billinghurst Middle School. There is one Elementary (Jared's), one High School (not there yet) and one Middle school. (Now Michael's) Every year they do an amazing job and once again, I am bursting with pride as they sing wonderfully and sound absolutely professional.


AWWWWWWW



As usual we are there early...



Jared's group



Michael's group

Campfires at Grandma's

Let me start by saying I began this post over a month ago and it has been very difficult to finish.


Many years ago my Grandfather who has since passed away built this beautiful and very well used campfire pit in the backyard of the home he and my Grandmother shared. This pit is lit whenever we get together. Whether it is a small group of us or a larger group, it is always lit. We sit around it and talk and tell stories (scary or otherwise) and it is a wonderful memory each and every time.

This last time (a month ago) we went down there my Grandmother was no longer at the home. It became apparent that she needed more care than she could be given at her home she lived in for more than 30 years. It was not by any means an easy decision to be made, however a very necessary one. Safety became an issue, as well as the physical strain it was taking on her caregivers.

I have many memories at this fire pit and I hope to have more to come. However, nobody knows the future of this home.



Enjoying the ice cream Melinda made



Watching the stars







Let the scary stories begin





I just love this picture

The "Memory Walk"

Last weekend we got another opportunity to take part in the "Memory Walk". This is to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer's research. This is very close to my heart as I have a Grandmother and had a Great-Grandmother who have or had this debilitating disease.


Here's little Ruby who is able to come to work with me most days to help.




Warming up



Beginning our walk.







Part of the "Senior Helpers" team. (Michael is taking the picture)