Halloween 2021

 This year we did a trunk for our church's trunk or treat. We did a shower curtain and had a bubble machine (a huge hit with the kids). We put verses on our shower curtain about Jesus making us clean. Anna was a minion, Kate was an Egyptian princess, and John was Harry Potter. Phil had a Braves shirt on (because they are his favorite and were playing in the World Series) and I wore my bedtime attire (hair bonnet, face mask, PJs, and robe). We then went over to Phil's sister's church for their trunk or treat. They had bounce houses and lots of fun activities there. 

Anna's friend, Abby

Kate's friend, Ava

Anna's cousin and minion twin (unplanned), Matt

2021 Volleyball Tournament

 Our niece is a senior in high school and was playing in her last volleyball tournament. The girls and I went to watch her play. We were able to stay with and visit some friends from our time in Delaware (who now live in SC) who we saw and stayed with last year. We also brought another niece along (who is almost the same age as Kate). We had a great time cheering on Izzy's team and also visiting with friends. 

ECS Fall Fair

 The kids' former school had a fall fair/fundraiser. Kate and John both loved the snakes! Yikes!

Kate's Rec Volleyball Game

 Anna and Kate have both been playing rec volleyball. Sometimes they scrimmage the school they used to attend last year. 

Kate and her BFF from her former school

Kate was reading her book while the teams were taking a time out.

The 14U team

My Cousin's Memorial Service

 My cousin, Lisa, died from Covid-19 complications after two months in the hospital. Her sister, Jessica, is the cousin that died in May, also from Covid. Lisa was my age, 38, and had no other health complications. Her sister Jessica had a lung transplant two years ago, so we knew if she contracted Covid, she would probably not do well. Our whole family was devastated at the loss of another cousin so soon! I was able to drive up to the memorial service in Charleston, WV, and spend a little bit of time with family. 

My mom, Wanda 

Brooklyn (Jessica's daughter), Emily (Mary's Daughter), Mary (my first cousin), Leah (my sister), Aunt Cindy (my mom's sister)

 Mary-my first cousin

Leah & Abbie (my sisters), Mary

My niece, Vera

My mom with three of her daughters

My mom & Aunt Cindy

My sister, Leah

My sister, Abbie

Schlabachs Visit SC

 Our friends from Baku are currently staying at our old house in North Carolina for a sabbatical. We had already promised one week in October to other friends when the Schlabachs asked if they could stay there, so they had to be somewhere else for that week. They decided to come see us! We were thrilled to see them and had such a good week. They stayed with Phil's parents because they have two extra bedrooms and a pool. Since it is October, we were not expecting the kids to swim, but they did every day (ours and theirs)! We were also able to surprise Krista for her 40th birthday and have a progressive dinner date and also a surprise (family) birthday party the next evening. Phil's family was so great to come celebrate Krista and even bring her gifts even though they didn't know her. We played lots of games and did some geocaching as well. Fun times! 

Fall Break/Beamers

We got to spend the second half of the week of fall break with some of Phil's extended family in Maryland. We had a great, relaxing week of sitting on the porch, talking, and playing games. The weather was cool and the company was fantastic! 

Phil's childhood home where he lived from age 8 until he went to college. 

Cousins

More cousins

Lots of game playing

Cookout with the family

Aunt Linda & Uncle Larry