Out and About

We're enjoying the crisp, cool autumn weather. We ventured out this morning to run a few errands and admired the beautiful colors of the changing leaves up against a clear blue sky. Lovely.

So much has happened in one year. Last year when Phil started school, we were just getting settled into our new home, scouting out the area for good parks, searching for a new church and meeting new friends. The kids seem so big to me now! Last year most of our errands were of the drive-thru sort, but this year we're able to go to the grocery store, to the park or to the library with little or no drama. Refreshing.

A few surprises for us this morning:

:: a free Cinnamon Roll Latte from one of our favorite coffee spots ::

:: Dum Dum Lollipops from the friendly teller at the bank ::

One of our stops this morning was the Dollar Store. My Auntie Patty sent each of the kids a sweet card and $2 for Halloween. They each picked out two items. I wish I would have gotten a picture of Lily carrying her purse. She loves to go shopping with Mommy. Here's what the kids picked out from the Dollar Store:

Lily chose a Strawberry Shortcake sun catcher paint set and a purple Dora ball.

Caleb chose two race cars and a soccer ball.

Jared chose two mini circus play sets.

Gracie chose a Disney Princess foam puzzle and a foam bead necklace kit.

She worked so hard to make what she calls a "button string." Laura and Mary Ingalls made a button string for Baby Carrie in the book On the Banks of Plum Creek.

Lily loves to paint! She also loves the color purple. Notice the purple sweatshirt, purple paint, purple ball, and the purple Danimal.

Caleb is trying out his cars and one of Jared's circus toys.

And before I forget-- a recent blessing for our family:

:: Phil scored a 91% on his first Pathology exam last week ::