Lots going on

Lots going on around here!

Last Wednesday was Lori's birthday.  I sent her this picture at work to brighten her day.

In the evening we went to Luna II, a coal-fired pizza place, to celebrate.

This was the new facial expression Hunter kept trying out that day, hahaha!

Anthony and Austin had a hot pepper flakes-on-the-tongue competition!

One evening last week I noticed an orange hue as I looked out my sink window, so I knew that there must be a great sunset in the other direction.

When I went outside to take a picture of it, I decided to take a walk around our house for some more pictures.

Every day I am so thankful we took a chance on those pathetic little impatiens and a few blue salvia that were on clearance,  looking almost dead.

The elephant ears from Dad Stauffer really took off this year too.

On Saturday morning Dick and I had a rare morning at home.  He always works Saturday mornings unless we are away, but this was a holiday weekend and we were home.  Amazing!  I decided to resurrect our family picture wall, which had been boxed up ever since we moved from our Lititz house in 2010.  I've been told that framed pictures on walls are a decorating no-no anymore, but I don't care.  These pictures always brought lots of enjoyment and amusement to anyone who came to our home.  Lori encouraged me to put them up again.

Now I can look up and pray for our kids while I play piano!

These are high school senior pictures.  They are in age order.  Left to right, top row:  Miki, Lisa, Anthony.  Middle row:  Sam, Frank.  Bottom row:  Jeremy, Ray.  The picture of us in the middle was taken in 1991.  The bottom group picture was taken last Thanksgiving.

I stayed home all day Saturday and cleaned the whole house for the first time in a while.  One time when I walked into our bedroom I decided to take a little break and lie on the bed for a while.  I had the drapes open and realized we have quite a lovely view from our bed in the daytime.  I decided I should take breaks there more often!

On Sunday morning the Fillmore choir sang an easy, but fun favorite, "You Are Holy."  Here's a video.  There were three women missing, but the men carried the melody most of the time, so it was ok.  Have I said how much I enjoy working with these guys?

We found out that Austin had a birthday party to go to on Sunday afternoon, so we offered to babysit Hunter so that Anthony and Lori could go out on a date.   I took this picture after Hunter had woken up from his nap and was waiting for his bottle to be warmed.  I can't get over how BIG he looks!!  He'll be turning six months old on Thursday!

The weather was just perfect for sitting on the porch after they came back home.

There go those toes into the mouth again!

I went down under the porch to check out the new seating area they are creating with pallets!

Monday was Labor Day.  Dick spent the day at their place trimming bushes, cleaning up some areas, and helping Anthony to do some electrical wiring for lights.

I baked some more cookies and did some successful shopping.  A very good day!

I was delighted to see this picture on FB today!  Miki and two of her friends flew from Sweden to Washington DC last Thursday.  They spent two nights at Jeremy and Mike's, then drove to Lancaster County where they are staying until Thursday.  Then they'll come up here for a few days.  I can hardly wait!  Today she showed up at Witmer Automotive (my brother and nephew's car repair business).  My sister Mary Ellen works in the office there and took some pictures!  Miki, always the clown!

Miki and Mary Ellen.

Have a good rest of the week!