Living in the moment

It definitely looks like November is coming! It was overcast and the trees were full of color as I drove to work this morning. It made me think of something I read not too long ago. 

In the end, when we reflect back on our journey, it won't be the days we remember...It will be the moments with those we love. 

If you are reading this, I pray that you are living in one of those moments today.

Weekend at Ben's

It's hard to believe, but Ben & Monica have been married for 10 years! I went up to watch the kiddos so they could get away for the day. I went up the afternoon before to join Monica & the kids for a night of fun.

We started the evening off watching Alex swim. I think he has found his sweet spot! He just starting swimming since summer and he is already blowing those other Guppies out of the water!

Our next stop was the County Line Orchard where the kiddos got to eat fresh warm pumpkin donuts.

Is this not the cutest kid ever???

We stopped by Walmart and when we were walking down the Halloween aisle, Monica put on a wolf mask when Grant wasn't looking. At first, he looked at her cautiously , but then expressed his disproval!

Our last stop for the night was the Haunted Hayride. It was a hoot!  I thought this picture was awesome until I noticed the power strip. Really?

Saturday, I spent the day just hanging out with the kiddos. We played outside, took a bike ride, played Halloween Bingo too many times to count and watched a movie. We had a blast, the weekend flew by, and it was over much too soon!

A Day in the Life of this Family

One thing led to another...Daylen was playing with my exercise ball and we were trying to balance on it, and it wasn't going so well. However, Daylen used his little noggin and wedged the ball between the futon and Annie's chair so as I said...one thing led to another, and Annie told Daylen if he could balance on the ball and not talk for 30 minutes, she would give him $1 That boy loves to earn money and today was the day.

When Emilie was little, Marlin used to pay her to scratch his back so he told Daylen he would pay him if he wants to take over that job, and he was more than happy to do so.

For Daylen's birthday, I got a set of bow's.  I gave Alex a bow for his birthday in August and Daylen said he wanted the same thing.  I found this set that cost the same thing and there were two bows plus the back of the box was a target.  When Daylen opened it, I knew immediately why it was the same money for two.  The bows were half the size of Alex's bow.  It worked out fine, though, because the size was more suited for Daylen and Ari could use the extra bow to play with Daylen. June had to get into the act by walking around with the extra arrows.

Poppe trying to teach Ari how to hold the bow.

There's nothing like time spent together with the family!

...and the day is not complete without feeding Kiwi and Puddin' their apples.

...or picking leaves out of the tree to feed the calves.

Oh No! says June...my feet aren't Schrock feet.  It hurts to walk across these rocks.

Finding Treasures at the Mart

It must be Daylen's birthday week...he's got the sombrero...Now we're just waiting on the Mariachi's to show up to sing!

Whoops! It's too late! He's already moved on to football.

Or maybe he'll be a fireman someday!

Kokomo Opalescent Glass Company Tour

Joyce, Jerry & Annie were here visiting this week so I played hooky from work to have a day of fun.  Since Daylen is on fall break and his birthday is this coming week, I brought him along.  We started out the day with a tour of the Kokomo Opalescent Glass Factory. 

Learning How Glass is Made

Blowing Glass a Lost Art

Door to NoWhere

Names of Employees from as far back as the 1800's

Poppe shows Daylen how to weigh himself.

Annie & Daylen discussing how glass is made.

Mac for short

This gorgeous gal is my Aunt Maxine.  Apparently my mother called her Mac for short since that is how she wrote her name under most of her pictures. My aunt is a quiet sort with fiery red hair, and always a pleasure to be around. I talked to her tonight relaying the latest stories of my mother's fading memory.

She married Glen Brown who was my uncle before I was born, and remains so today! He was a corker as some would say...very lively and full of life and never without a story to tell.

Red Hair runs in our family on both the Railsback side and the Brunner side, but the genes were never passed down through my line.  That's too bad, because I would have gladly welcomed a red haired child.

From left to right, we have Imogene, Maxine, Verlyn, and Kate. I wish I knew the story behind these pajamas, but sadly I do not.

This is Maxine and my mom in front of Uncle Bill & Aunt Ila's Motel. I've heard a lot of stories about their Motel over the years, but none that I recall right now.

I love this picture of my Aunt Maxine.  I think it is stunning and captures who she is perfectly. She has such a gentle sweet spirit which remains a part of who she is even to this day!

I almost forgot to include this awesome photo of Dort, Mavis, & Mac. Again, I don't know the story behind this. Perhaps someone will enlighten me!