Weekend at Stauffer Acres with Austin, Dad Stauffer, and Fred

I am finally finding a spot in my week to sit down and update this blog.  This is a very busy season for me with all my church-related jobs, plus a big family Thanksgiving coming up.  Lisa, George, and Sophie will be up here from Florida Monday through Friday next week!!  I just can't believe it.  We have so much catching up to do and fun to have!

Lori and Anthony had overlapping work trips this past weekend, so we stayed at their house with Austin.  Here are some pics from bath and bedtime on Saturday evening. 

His cuddle toys are a snake and a tarantula!!

 Puzzle time with Grandpa on Sunday.

 Dick's brother Fred and his dad came on Sunday afternoon.  Fred is an avid archery hunter, and Monday was the first day of bear season.  He was hoping to do something about the bear that has been wandering in the woods around Anthony and Lori's place.  Dick's dad has been eager for a chance to see Stauffer Acres, so this was his chance to do so.  We had wonderful chances to catch up and talk and laugh together. 

My brother Dick and his wife Nancy did a day trip to our area on Sunday and also stopped in!  Nancy took this picture of Dick Stauffer and Dick Witmer strolling down the road.  

The Monday morning view out over the valley from the family room. 

Austin was full of energy and tricks on Monday morning before school.  Greatgrandpa got to observe the real deal, haha!

Fred had left the house before daylight and spent most of the day in the woods.  Anthony's property is right next to state game lands.  Fred did not meet up with the bear.  But he did talk with someone who lives nearby.  They said the bear has at times stood up at their picture window and looked in!!! Yikes!

A contractor came to install insulation on the barn ceiling that day.  What a perfect opportunity for Dad Stauffer to feel useful!  He was out there to meet the contractor, advised him of the best place to park, helped to drag the packs of insulation into the barn, and then stayed with him the entire time, handing him each piece of insulation!   That totally made his day! 

The view from the deck Monday afternoon. 

Austin was my buddy after school.  He usually goes to the Y, but he didn't want to go that day.  So we went to my house for a while, then we headed home to his house.  We hung out with Great grandpa until he and Fred left around 6:00.  

Dick was hoping to be home from work to see them before they left, but unfortunately, he shut his toolbox lid on his hand and cut his thumb badly enough to need stitches.  So he was off to the urgent care facility right after work instead.   

Austin loves playing electronic games.   The promise of having time on a device is actually good motivation for getting other necessary things accomplished.  Necessary things like eating dinner, taking a bath, etc, haha!

At bath time that evening he wanted me to take a picture of his flat hair.  Is that not the cutest face?

We have been having an amazingly mild November.  Yes, there was frost and we have had occasional bouts of cold, windy weather.  But we keep going back to mild temps.  To the point that the grass is green again!

Remember this first colorful thing out front after our long winter?  Sam and Jenn gave it to me for Easter.  

Well, look at it now, haha!!  It is the only colorful thing out there after everything else died from frost weeks ago!  I love it!

I'm not sure if I'll have time to post again until after Thanksgiving.  If I don't, just know I'm too busy and loving every minute of it!