Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Birthday, Eric!

For my awesome brother, Eric!

Quiet and creative, thoughtful and funny, and the greatest new daddy to little Alice!

I love you Eric! Happy Birthday!

Twilight

Yes, we saw the movie. Yes, we loved it! I really think it captured the spirit of the book in the way some of the better movie adaptations have. Of course it wasn't perfect, but it certainly gave the same feeling and I am very glad we saw it. The Washington scenery was amazing! And it was fun to be in a very responsive audience - gasping, sighing, giggling, laughing right out loud at "aren't people from Arizona supposed to be, like, tan?" Yeah, it was a ton of fun! Though David did notice that the female to male ratio in the audience was about 20:1!!

The picture above is an awesome sculpture my girls put together from things they found at Marshalls.

Amazing Ants!

This video blew me away! I keep thinking of the anthill by the barn at the cabin. It is about that same size on top...

Happy Birthday, Hanne!

For my amazing, creative, inspiring "baby" sister Hanne!!!
You are awesome, and always bring a smile to my face and cheer to my heart.
I love you Hanne, Happy Birthday!!!



















Beth & Hanne 1982

Autumn

I am enjoying these last few days of Fall, and thought I had better take a picture of my Autumn mantle before it all comes down and Christmas goes up in a couple of weeks...

I couldn't resist putting in a picture of the apple-berry pie Lucy made last week. It was so good!! She has definitely mastered the art of baking...

And before I eat it for breakfast....here is the last blueberry scone, made last night. They were so yummy that we are thinking of making them a Sunday night tradition...

Star Baby

Last week Elsa was learning about the number 5. To introduce the number we talked about the 5 pointed star shape, fingers and toes, and how we can make a star shape if we stretch out our arms and legs. Then I read her a sweet little story about an old couple who wish they had a child and find a star baby. Friday morning Elsa woke up so excited to find a star baby on her pillow! She says "it appeared in my hair and then fell on my pillow! I think the angels gave it to me...her mom and dad stars died and so the angels gave her to me because she wanted to come to me....This is the best morning of my whole life!!"

Such a sweet, magical view of the world!

Belated Happy Hallowe'en!

Here are a few pictures from our Hallowe'en party. We had a great turnout with tons of family and friends! Thanks everyone for making it a memorable night!!

Little witch Elsa with Aunt Susie in the Phantom of the Opera dress made by me!

One view of Lucy's amazing pumpkin.
It was a work of art!

Our little witch with the Jack-o-lantern princess she made!
Actually, Elsa informed everyone that she was a
"Dark Fairy Witch and BAD!"

Marching Band

I just have to brag on my girls! They are both in Marching Band at their high schools, and I am really proud of all the hard work they have done. Jill plays the clarinet for the Highland High School Marching Band and their band is well known for being one to watch! So, the Highland show this year is not doing as well at competitions her in AZ, but we think that is because it is a very inovative show that the judges just aren't ready for ;-) It is titled "A Tribute to the Brecker Brothers" and the music is very much "skunk funk"! Not the typical kind of marching music, but they do an awesome job of it and their marching is amazing! Check out how tidy their very complicated sets are!


















Below is the Williams Field Black Hawk Regiment which Lucy is part of. She is the Flag on the far left. As you can see in the video, they are amazing!

Williams Field High School Black Hawk Regiment

Here is Lucy's marching band in their 3rd and 4th movements. You can see why I am SO proud of this little band!! They are one of the smallest bands competing this year, but as you can see they are POWERFUL! We LOVE them!!!! Listen to the audience's excitement when that huge black flag covers the band - WOW! They are really making a name for themselves this year. Lucy is in the color guard and is just gorgeous!