Margaret plays soccer!

She likes to put cones on her head.

She likes to have an audience.

She likes her soccer jersey!

And she likes to run and kick the ball!

And who wouldn't like the snack? A whole bunch of corn syrup products! GO AMERICA!

Soccer Game

A Walk in the Snowy Mountains

A bear!

A view!

Siblings

Sleeping Beauty

Halloween Every Day

Part of Marga's outfit is an Indian Princess Halloween costume my mom made for me 30 years ago!

Cutest Captain Hook ever.

Ho Narro!

We try not to dress up as cowboys in public here, as not to offend the natives. But in the privacy of our own home...Hi-O Silver!

BOO!

Yes, it's only early October, but we've decided to celebrate Halloween for several weeks. We're used to being in costume that long anywy after living in South Germany... There is this tradition/marketing ploy here in which you "BOO" your friends. We got Boo'd a few nights ago, so we decided to pass it on. First, we developed a list of people we wanted to Boo.

Then we prepared the bags of treats. I tried to go mainly candy-free, but caved when I saw the gummy body parts...

We decorated skull necklaces.

And stuffed the bags.

Like the glasses?

I don't think there is a better picture of me in existance.

Oma helped with quality control.

Then, we went and Boo'd our friends! We dressed up in costume just because. We dropped the bags off on their porches, knocked on the door and RAN!

QUICK, before they see us!

HURRY HURRY!

To speed up the get-away, and for extra fun, we entered the van through the trunk!

Tapas in Denver

I'm in Denver for a medical conference. I've been learning a lot in my lectures and we got to hear the surgeon general speak (she was amazing!) but I have also had a chance to explore downtown Denver a bit. So far, my favorite find is The 9th Door tapas and wine bar www.theninthdoor.com . Really good slow food. Can't wait to go back.

William explains.

Two Little Monkeys

Olivia's Opposites

Marga Reads!

Margaret can read a few words, but mostly memorizes books - impressive in itself!

Making Carrot Cake

William peeled all of the carrots!

He helped grate the carrots!

Margaret took a break from mixing the dry ingredients to play doctor briefly.

William cracked the eggs.

Margaret can run the mixer all by herself! She likes the fastest setting.

Sweet rewards.

Cleaning the House!

Look at all the help I get cleaning the house!

Eric helps by not destroying anything and staying in one place.

William mops AND vacuums. Do you think it was okay that I taught him how to vacuum bread crumbs off the top of the table? It worked!

Sean puts the shoes back!

Go family group effort! The house looked really great for a few minutes. Then, we decided to bake a cake and William shattered a glass all over the floor. Wash, rinse, repeat!

Mrs. Pless

Here is a tidbit of part of our spontaneous lesson from Mrs. Pless! It was thrilling to see her in her creatively decorated room, using every form of media to infect students with her excitement for the subject "matter" and for learning. It was like watching a very intelligent and scientific Energizer Bunny rock the classroom. Inspirational!

Girlfriends!

Ebee and Lily cuddled in the garden while Andy, Gabe, and Emory were out beating the other neighborhood team of four-year olds in soccer!

We all sat on the stairs in the shade and talked.

Then we all went to a beautiful pedestrian mall and window-shopped.

We each bought one thing for ourselves to remind us of our weekend and our long-lasting friendship.
Ebee bought beautiful earrings. I bought the best scarf ever ( not pictured) to prepare me for the upcoming winter ( next week).

Ursi bought a statement ring.

Andy bought a journal and we each recommended a book for her to read.

Ebee bought a present for David as well. I wanted her to buy him "Greek Spice", but she purchased some yummy white pepper.

Ebee looked so happy I couldn't keep my eyes off her!

And then Andy took us to her very cool school to show us what Mrs. Pless does by day!

We were all so excited and proud to see Mrs. Pless in her "element". We even demanded and got a mini-lecture on the most interesting topic in the middle school biology text. We all learned something! It was twice exceptional ! It was amazing AND wonderful!