I'm going to post the pictures from our pumpkin picking in Wilcox in an album, because there are so many...

 

Also from our Tucson trip... great fun!

 

 

 

 

Well, I guess he's more toddling around.  But he's doing great.  Think we need to get some video, haven't gotten any in quite a while.  Here are some pictures from Tucson two weeks ago when we went down to go pumpkin picking...

 

        

The world lost a good, sweet, man over the weekend.  A friend from high school, Owen Shelksohn, passed away on friday, unexpectedly.  While I hadn't spoken to him in quite some time, he was never forgotten.  He was always such a wonderful, caring person, always there to help others.  And with a great sense of humor.  It's amazing the outpouring of love that I've seen for him on Facebook from those who also knew him from high school.  I hope he knew how many people he had touched.  I will be setting up an account to collect money for his wife and family.  Please feel free to donate what you find appropriate.  I'm sure every little bit will help.  How tragic to lose someone so young, just at the beginning of his life.  I will post more info on the account after it's set up.

 

I can't even remember when I first heard about this organization, but I'm sure it was some time ago.  Then I kept hearing the name, and each time I thought "I should check that out."  Never got around to it until today.  I couldn't even remember what it was called - thank goodness for Google.  I went on and searched for something like "Give small loan company africa" or something similar.  Ha ha.  Anyway, if you have a few dollars lying around, it's amazing what good it can do.  Check out Kiva at http://www.kiva.org/app.php.  Their website says that "Kiva lets you lend to a specific entrepreneur, empowering them to lift themselves out of poverty."  You can invest as little as $25, and you do get paid back over time.  Today I lent $100 and gave a donation of $15.  Not much.  I challenge you to do the same.

Yes folks, Finley almost has his first two teeth.  I know you are as excited as I am.  Just like I'm ready for him to walk so I no longer have to carry him for my entire life, I'm excited for him to get teeth so that he can start actually chewing things rather than just gumming.  I can feel and barely see both bottom middle teeth, so they are working on coming out.  He is surprisingly good-natured about the whole thing.  I was wondering if maybe teething feels like when you got your braces tightened when you were a kid.... remember that feeling of not wanting to eat because it hurt to chew?

 

We had a fun weekend... Saturday Brie's friend Jade from her last school had a party at a bounce place, which was great fun.  Then the kids went straight from there to grandma and grandpa's house to spend the night.  I had a fun girls' wine party and Josh went out with a friend... first time I had thrown a "theme" party - complete with party games, tons of appy's, and decorations.  I'm usually not into that sort of thing but I thought it was fun, and hopefully everyone else had fun, too.  Who knows, I might get more into "theme" parties now.  It's kind of a lot of work, tho!

 

Today we went to help Katie move out of her place in Scottsdale and back to Fountain Hills.  After that we hung out at the 'rents for a while with all the family (J's parents, grandparents, kids, Katie, etc).  It was good and it's soooo nice that the weather is finally cool so we can go outdoors.  What a lovely change.  We also not only got a night away from the kids, but apparently get gifts for letting the grandparents watch them (LOL)... grandma had been shopping again and sent us home with a big bag of clothes for both kids.  I realized today that I'm very lucky that she has good taste... while my kids don't need all the stuff she buys them, it definitely saves me having to shop (whew!), and the stuff she gets is really cute.  I imagine that some people have grandparents that like to shop but buy hideous things, so at least we love the stuff she buys them.  Even though it's a bit in excess.  And Brianna, at least, really loves the stuff.  Who knows, Finley might be a fashionista when he gets a bit older.  You never know...