Autumn Get-Away and Family Update

Mid semester. . . and it worked out that a trip to Pennsylvania for me was in order. Erin has been a trooper working at nights full time, being a full-time mom and at home, but we could tell she needed a little sleep and Avery needed a Nanna for a few days. It had been planned into my semester calendar, if needed, to get to the mainland if need be, and I think it was appreciated by Erin, Wil, and Avery to spend time with them in Lock Haven for Halloween and the week after.

Thanks to Bill for supporting this, and to Jenny and Lindsey who made sure dad had some company and meals to share! Flying is always relaxing for me, especially the serendipitous finds...autumn colors over Dulles as I flew in, and the pleasant fall weather in PA for most of the week. However, I did have memories refreshed about chipping at frosted windshields! Didn't have a scraper, so used the plastic ID card one morning...it worked fine!

I loved assisting Erin by playing with Avery so she could attempt to catch up on sleep! We watched all kinds of dvd's...he's a Micky Mouse fan, but we also enjoyed Backyardigans, Little Einsteins, and some others, too. I'm still humming the songs from Little Einsteins. "You can do it, Carmine, you can win the race, for you are an amazing music car." Funny was this week I heard some of those songs as I drove along to BYUH. :D We also enjoyed a Pizza Hut lunch day, and a few visits to feed the many ducks in Mill Hall. See Erin's blog for the photos and video. Lots of trips to Walmart for me which is just 10 minutes from her house--such a rare experience compared to our hour-long Hawaii treks planned there! Enjoyed the rides in the PA countryside, cooking some favorite dishes, and a quick shopping trip to State College on Erin's day off. Some of my favorite stores!! Mostly, just loved being with Aves, playing and cuddling, and visiting with his folks who also got to escape on a date together and see a movie--they said that was a real treat!

Erin seemed to appreciate the sorting and organizing that I can't resist when I'm around, so that was nice, too. I like to keep busy, so she helped me occupy time during Avery's and her naps in their lovely home. Wil works at Rest Haven Cemetery in sales and events. Also works at Radio Shack, but just part time. He likes that one and would love to work into full time eventually.

On Halloween I accompanied the family andtheir friend, Asha, around the block with Mickey-Avery. He was a CUTE Mickey, but he'll enjoy this all much better as he gets older. Aaron's folks, Ed and Colleen Jensen, stopped by to deliver treats to us all. Loved the popcorn balls and donuts!!! It was so COLLEEN!!! Some houses we visited were really decorated in the season' s theme so it was fun to be a part of LH's celebration.

The semester is moving along. It's hard to get 14 weeks of learning into 13 weeks now! I had decided earlier that I would give up the individual/family mgmt. class to devote more time to the homeschooling and grandkids. This class was time intensive with both planning and grading, so feel it will be better for us all starting in January with only the family history class to teach. That sounds better already!!

Soccer season has ended, it's basketball time! We like that. November has all kinds of busy for Bill...first the Leadership Summit, classes, stake, SIFE, then the regional conference, and then Thanksgiving. Which means, Christmas is not that far away!

Jenny and Aaron have made a great transition here. Their home is lovely. Compact, yet lovely. Their time together has really increased since taking the PA post at the BYUH Health Center. This commute of 5 min. works out SOOO much better for them all! J is finishing up grad classes online and Kylee is now sleeping through the night. It's been a big year of change for them. A is now serving in a campus bishopric and J will serve in YW.

Lindsey's family just returned from an outer island escape to Kauai--Bryson's first trip. The Hawaii Pierce Clan enjoyed their stays there; L's blog has great photos and summary. Now it's back to the home scene for awhile.

Megan is into semester life and we see her through the week sometimes, here and there, and usually for Wednesday's "Subway Night" since Bill has meetings on campus then--SIFE and BYUH 2nd Stake. We also hear from her when she needs the car!! A highlight for mom and dad was hearing her play trumpet in a campus devotional recently. What a confident and lovely young lady she is. It had been a year and a half since we heard her play, and this arrangement with the brass ensemble and university concert choir truly was a precious "mom moment" for me. It filled the arena with a great sound, but filled the heart with precious, tender ones. :D

This is the monthly catch-up for now. Glad to see/hear from people on facebook, and see some Logan friends, the Wegeners, this week. GR A T E F U L for many things, so am writing one a day in FB status. It's nice to focus on the season in this way. It's been a good and filled month! Looking forward to more fun-filled days ahead.