Happy Halloween!

Lia trick-or-treated at school today so she was all excited about helping give out the candy vs going out for more (thankfully because she got PLENTY of candy at school!). 

Lia with Dad. 

This is Lia being "scary". 

We actually carved these pumpkins right before it was time for trick-or-treating.  I just got back into town last night and we wanted to do this as a family. 

Lia wanted Tinkerbell and bats so that is what I carved! 

Frank said he was carving scary pumpkins but we thought they were more silly than scary!  :)

Halloween Baby

Colleen and Andy had their baby today - June - a little girl!  Here's proud Grandpa Frank with the baby.  Lia and I unfortunately couldn't visit at the same time b/c Lia has a cough,

so I met the baby a little later.

Wizzard of Oz

Our friends Jason and Anna have a Halloween Party every year.  This year we went as the Scarecrow, Glinda the Good Witch and Dorothy.  Frank tried talking Lia into going as Dorothy but that was not nearly "princess" enough for her!  So I suggested Glinda.  :) 

Frank went a little crazy with Glinda's hat (about 2x bigger than it could have been) but he did an awesome job on his own costume!  And Lia LOVED the Ruby slippers he painted and glittered for me. 

 

I love this shot! 

Jason and Anna! 

Out of the Darkness Walk

Each year they begin the walk releasing hundreds of balloons with personalized notes in memory of those whom we lost to suicide.   I am so thankful for all of my friends and family who gave to such a worthy cause in memory of my brother, in order to help and educate others about suicide.  A person dies of suicide every 15 minutes here in the US.

Kelly supported Frank, me and Lia by joining us this year for the walk. 

After the walk we can make notes in memory of our loved ones.  Lia drew flowers for her Uncle Jim. 

Sunflower Festival!

For years now Lia and I have joined our friends Maya and Tami at the Gorman Heritage Farm's Sunflower Festival.  This year was especially fun, and the sun came out so it made it a great weather day!   

Here's MY sunflower!  ;) 

And pictures with Moms! 

 

 

 

 

Our girls are soooo sweet together! 

 

We had an especially interesting hay ride today, and had a real fearful moment when one of the mules got spooked!  Thankfully our driver kept it under control! 

Lia pretending to be the driver! 

 

I brought home some sunflowers and celosia that I picked at the festival.  It made a beautiful centerpiece.

ALS Walk

Today Lia and I went to support our friend Kelly's walk in memory of her dad.  Lia made friends on the awesome playground. 

Here's part of our group.  We felt good about walking for this great cause.