Happy New Year 2012 !

We have the whole family here from pre-Christmas to post New Year! Doesn't get better than that! Wishing you a happy new year, too.

Our Week-End in Leavenworth, Washington

We spent the most lovely weekend in this little town about 100 miles north of where we live. We gathered there with old friends going back more than 30 years. What a wonderful time we all together in this pristine setting.

A Birthday Party

We had a wonderful family get-together on Sunday for our daughter-in-law's 35th birthday. Her twin sister joined us with her family, as well as, their parents and grandparents and a few other in-laws. Here's the cake we all shared.

October at our House

I looked out the back of our house this morning just as the sun was rising and this is what I saw...

Harvest Time

We live in an agricultural area and it is never more evident now at this time of year. We can walk down our road in either direction and be in an apple and pear orchard. The fruit has been harvested, so we often gather up a piece or two that was left behind. Fresh fruit right off the tree! It just doesn't get any better than that. As a friend told me..... no little sticker to remove, either.

Here is a look at the orchards down the road from us right before the harvest.

Family Game Night

We had the whole family together for game night last night. Mark (far left) was here for the long week-end before heading back to Boston today. Drew and family live close by, so we see them often, but having us all together is a treat! Next get together will be Thanksgiving at our house!

Summer

Summer is almost gone......

The kids start back to school on the 31st. No more bike rides over here for a quick visit, no more calls in the middle of a hot afternoon asking "Can we go swimming?" and no more long walks after dinner ending with popsicles on the deck after sunset.

There are still a few weeks of golf, though. Sarah and I have had the best time playing golf together. The course here is beautiful!

One last fling before school will be a trip to the planetarium in Goldendale. We've been wanting to do this trip for a couple of years now, and it is finally on our calendars for next week.

What I love most about summer is warm temps, short sleeves, sandals, frapachinos, long daylight hours, and having the kids come by most every day. Life does not get better than this.