The Pumpkin Deal

First ya gotta go to the pumpkin patch to find some.

Then ya gotta cut 'em up and pull the guts out.

Then you're ready for Halloween.

Pictures of Trees and Weeds

The fall color has been spectacular this year. But the sun has been a rare sight. Not so today. I woke up early and decided to take a walk before the rest of the family was up. Thought the reds and golds in the early morning light would be a good test for the Nikon D-40. Here are the results.














So the camera did well. The photographer needs some work though. I saw a red headed woodpecker, a couple trumpeter swans, several cardinals and assorted sparrows, ducks, and geese. I tried to photograph them all, but i need to work on my timing.

I can photograph things that stay put though. And I think I do OK on the soccer field.

We'll see if practice helps with the bird thing. In the mean time, this'll have to do.

Now everyone's up and Alondra is eager to check out the pumpkin patch...

Another Season Ends

Hopefully it's not autumn that's ending. I'm not ready for snow yet. It's playoff week, but for us soccer is officially done. The girls worked hard but were overpowered by St. Vincent this afternoon.
Yesterday the boys just couldn't figure out how to beat their nemesis Meadow Creek.
So now I can take the camera off of sports mode and get some bird pictures like Ranger Paul. Or maybe I could try to do something more artsy.
Janine, I did get the tire fixed. The guy at the shop got the wheel off by hitting it a few times with a rubber mallet. He said there's no way you can yank it off when the metal sticks like that. You need to pound it loose. Who knew?

A Goal and a Flat

Sorry - no pictures, but I just had to brag on my eldest daughter a bit. Lauren scored her first ever soccer goal in yesterday's game against Calvin Christian. They won 4-3, the first victory of the season.

The goal was all practice and skill, but my witness to it was a little on the lucky side. See, it's been raining lately. A lot. And yesterday Deanna noticed a flat on the Mazda. Put some air in it and was getting where I needed to, but I wanted to get that taken care of. So we got to the field 30 minutes before game time (coach's rule) and there's a break in the rain. I decide this is a good time to put the spare on so I can drop the tire off for repair between Lauren's game and Matt's practice. I have the lugs off, car jacked up, and spare ready to go. Odd thing is, the wheel won't budge. There are no lugs holding it on, but I pull and pull (to the point that the car moves). The wheel will not come off. Jeremy (teammate's older brother) walked over to see if I need any help. He's got nothing.

It's been raining remember. Well, Ridge Crest field is too wet so the game is moving to Alpine Park. While Lauren catches a ride with the Herzogs, I pull out the manual to see what the heck is up with the wheels on this car. You know it's trouble when I resort to checking the manual. Kurt, the athletic director, and I are the only ones left at Ridge Crest. He stuck around to make sure any stragglers make it over to Alpine for the game. Kurt gives the tire a few yanks and scratches his head. No idea. The manual said nothing about the magic that holds the rear passenger wheel to the axle with no lugs. So I do the only logical thing, put the lug nuts back on and head over to Alpine.

By the time I arrive it's raining hard again and the game is in progress. No score according to Kathy. You already know how the game came out. I'm headed to the tire repair place this morning. Let's see if they can get the stupid tire off.

Buddy Walk 2007

It's Buddy Walk day. The weather reports threatened rain all week. We were fearful of a soggy one, like the school marathon last weekend. But we lucked out and stayed dry. Well, sweaty from the humidity, but not dripping wet anyway.
Before the walk there were fun activities. A bouncy castle, dancing, and the big slide. It was a little too big for Alondra, so we just watched the big kids on it.

Team Alondra included Matt, Lauren, Becca, Grandma, Mom, and Dad.
Once the walk got started, this is what it looked like. There were a lot of people. We went around Como Lake. Alondra decided to pace herself for a strong finish.
And finish strong she did.
Thanks everyone who donated. We really appreciate the support.