October 30 Outside my window

Sunday:  I have a few "phone" pictures to post of the little animals that come to my bird feeders almost every day. I love watching them come and go. I get a lot of really pretty finches, woodpeckers, swallows, sparrows ... as well as some very persistent chipmunks and squirrels, who find a way to get into almost any feeder I have outside!

This is my sneaky chipmunk--I actually think there are MANY of them that visit my feeders, but they all look alike to me! They somehow manage to run up this narrow metal pole and get to all of my feeders and stuff their little faces as fat as possible, jump off and unload the food into their secret hiding places and then scurry back for more!

I was super happy the first time I saw a little bird up on my window feeder. I wasn't sure they would be brave enough to come this close--but it is so much fun to watch them up close like this! Little Cal likes to watch them too. 

This little bird took a nap right on my window feeder this morning. So cute.

I contend that it's these little blessings of life that make living so RICH. And I am very thankful for each one of them.

October 28 with Kaity

Saturday:  Just a few photos of KT jumping at Altitude tonight. Her friend, Aiden, was away for a few days so Kaity was missing him. She got her jump time in though and did just fine.

It wasn't nearly as crowded as it was Thursday night when all of the parties were happening. Kaity was able to jump without other kids getting in her way.

Kaity is a really good jumper. She has good height and form, and she isn't afraid to try new stuff--however, she isn't reckless and I am thankful for that!

Before leaving my house for Altitude, we played a couple of games of "UNO". I think we each won TWO games. It sure was nice to see you tonight, Kaity!
 

October 28 Photo shoot (continued)

Saturday afternoon:  These next pictures are of the four kiddos together and then all of them together with Dylan and Kelly. Naturally, I am not in any of these photos! I will look forward to seeing the ones Marie took with me included.

I'm just going to run with posting ALL of them. I can't pick a favorite really. Some of them are hilarious. Others are pretty solid!

Brendan's smile! Cal's hands in his pockets! Aidan almost laughing! Erin's serious little expression. Super cute.

So I suppose you would like me to comment on Erin's hair? No. I will not. I love this little child to pieces, not at all based on whether I like her hair this way or not! Enough.

I was too far back to really get a good one of their faces ... but these will do for now.

I love some of these very much ... what a bunch of sweet people.

It was a super fun hour. Thankful, so thankful for the love of Dylan and Kelly. 

Please help them, Lord, to do this challenging job of parenting these four very unique little people. Help them work together--a more difficult task they will never have in this life, nor any higher calling, than to raise these children to know, love and fear You, Awesome God and Savior. How good you are, Lord!

October 28 Photo-op with Marie

Saturday Noon:  My Christmas gift from Dylan and Kelly is a family photo shoot with Marie! How nice is that?!?!? We met Marie over at one of her favorite outdoor spots at noon. I brought my camera, never thinking it might be rude of me to take pictures at the same time Marie was taking photos. Jeeps. What a moron. Anyway, I WAS careful not to get in Marie's way and I promise I wasn't obnoxious. My goal was to get a "few" of Brendan because I never ever get to photograph him (hardly ever!) because he is growing up so quickly ... I think it makes him feel uncomfortable if I am always pointing my camera at him! I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to sneak in a few pictures. 

So ... I ended up taking a LOT of pictures. Honestly, I am not a people photographer whatsoever. Give me a beautiful landscape any day and I will photograph the heck out of it. But people--not so much. My grand kiddos are used to me snapping pictures of them--but like I said, as they get older, they find it uncomfortable and I TRY to respect their wishes.

I'm going to have to break this up into TWO posts because ... I have too many pictures! Marie's will turn out 1000 times better because she is a professional (she is amazing) and her knows how to operate a camera. You should have seen her lens!

Since the oldest child is Brendan, Marie started with him--no one volunteered to go first--all were a little bit timid about this photo shoot. Understandably! Not because of Marie--she is marvelous with people. Probably just because none of us loves to be the center of attention, especially physical attention--do you know what I'm saying? I actually remember being SO self-conscious about having my picture taken that I would almost be sick (as a younger person). Anyway, Brendan was nominated by Marie to begin the session.

Most of these pictures should be considered "outtakes" because I am NOT professional in any way. I'm sure Marie will edit her photos beautifully.

Brendan has a hair cut that is difficult in that his hair falls in his eyes. So the request was for Brendan to keep his head somewhat UP and flip his hair back if it was in his face. He did a great job making that effort.

I love this beautiful child so much my heart aches with it. When he was a little tiny person, the Lord blessed my heart through him week after week after week. His dear heart. His chumminess. His smile.

NEXT, it was Aidan's turn. Dear, dear Aidan. It was cold outside. He was cold. I'm certain Dylan and Kelly reminded him to bring a jacket or coat. Mr. Aidan probably insisted he didn't need one! 

Aidan got a little bit more relaxed standing. Marie talks so kindly to everyone. She is a lot of fun and so easy to be with. She is like a mini-Karen (her mom) ... but in some ways even better (which is difficult to even imagine being possible). 

I didn't get as many pictures of Aidan and the other little ones because I truly did not want to be in Marie's way at all. I tried zooming in, but I didn't do well with that and needed to stay a good distance back so that Marie could interact with Aidan effectively.

And then it was Erin's turn! I got even less photos of Erin because I was distracted either with talking to Aidan or Cal or something. However, I did snap a few. Look at her sweet little face. I could eat her right up.

During Cal's photo shoot, I visited with these chilly little ones ...

Cal kills me. Look at his darling little face. His smile! His cheeks! His little flannel shirt! Could he be cuter? Nope!

Oh my word. Lord! How thankful I am that you let me be grandma to these beautiful children!

More pictures to come ...