Penni in a paper bag

While I was updating my blog this evening, I looked over and found Penni in a paper bag with some tissue paper that I had brought upstairs to put away. I thought it was so cute that she crawled in the paper bag. She slept there for a while!

Trick or Treat

Last night was Trick or Treat! We all converged at the Alvarez's! Corie, Caleb, Ben, Wendie, Benny, Matty, and the Bucher's. Matty and I stayed at the house to hand out candy.


Corie and Caleb and Andrew, Caleb, Benny, and Austin
Matty waits for trick or treaters

Helping those less fortunate

My church is participating in "40 Days of Community," the 'sequel' to "40 Days of Purpose." For our churh-wide project, we collected food for New Hope Ministries as well as loose change in coffee cups. Additionally, "40 Days" small groups did projects for New Hope clients. We collected 275 boxes of food and $1,405 in loose change! What a blessing the food boxes and money is to New Hope, as well as the projects. We are so blessed!


Passing the boxes to the truck, the loaded truck, and some of the 'crazy' youth!

A green thumb?

For Administrative Professional's Week, Susan got each of us an African Violet. I put mine on my windowsill at work and would water it every once in a while. I tend to kill plants. In fact, I 'planted' plastic/silk flowers in my front yard this past summer! Anyway, I went to water my African Violet the other day, and this is what I found:

Isn't it pretty?! It's purple and white!

A nice surprise

On Wednesday, October 19th, state Representatives Teresa Forcier, Daryl Metcalfe, and Kathy Rapp stopped by our office with a gift for Susan. When Susan finished opening her gift, Rep. Forcier said, "Behind every great woman is another great woman!" And she handed me a gift as well! Susan and I both received hand-made pottery bowls. They're really unique. A few days later, Rep. Forcier brought one for Mom, too!

Manchester Parade - 10/16/05

Ben and Wendie invited us to their house to watch the Manchester Parade. We ate lunch before the parade. Unfortunately, the Penny Carnival, sponsored by a local church, was canceled because the lady who organizes it has cancer and no one volunteered to do it this year. Caleb and Austin had fun, even though they fought a little bit over who had the most, picking up candy as parade participants threw it out to the 'audience.' Benny and one of his other cousins, Carrie, also raked in a bunch of candy!


Let the parade begin! Austin, Caleb, Carrie, and Benny are ready!

Matty is on the porch with Oma. It's nap time! He did fall asleep for a while!

Farmer's Fair - 10/15/05

The 90th Annual Farmer's Fair was held in Dillsburg (Dad's hometown) on Saturday, October 15, 2005. We all converged at Mame's house for the afternoon and evening. We had fun going downtown to see some exhibits, taste some food (the bloomin' onion was gross!), and buy some stuff. I picked up Austin Saturday afternoon, so he came too, then spent the night.
Caleb and Austin wait for their turn in the moon walk.
Matty in the stroller while downtown.
Caleb and Austin check out the baby peeps.
Benny is ready for the parade to start!

Camping - 10/1-3/05

So, I came up with the bright idea to go camping as a family over Columbus Day Weekend. Of course, I didn't know it would rain most of the weekend! Mom, Dad, and Tom took the camper to Pinchot on Friday afternoon because it was pouring, and we just let it sit there until Saturday morning. We set up the camper and tarps in the rain on Saturday. Mom and I stayed in the camper Saturday and Sunday nights. Corie, Caleb, Dad, and Tom went home each night, but came back the next day. Mom made plenty of food! It was a pretty nice day on Sunday and Monday, too.
We look like the Beverly Hillbillies!

Caleb stokes the camp fire!

Becky B. - 9/24/05

I babysat Becky on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2005. She was almost 14 months old.

Soccer Game - 9/24/05

I went to Caleb's soccer game on Saturday, September 24, 2005. He played goalie for a while then a full back. He kicked the ball for a goal, but the darn goal post got in the way!



Caleb as goalie


Caleb takes a break