Halloween

The 2009 Sanford Family Pumpkins. We really enjoy this... the parents more than the kids I think. We were joking about how pumpkin carving is an important annual creative outlet for us. We take it very seriously. From Left to Right: Gregg's, Gretchen's, Hannah's, Emily's
Right before the Halloween parade at Gretchens preschool. She was the world's cutest giraffe. Other costume highlights: UPS man, blue lobster, Cat in the Hat (the dad) with Thing 1 and Thing 2 (complete with blue hair hairsprayed straight up in the air), and a little girl dressed up as Ironman (the superhero)
We walked up to Pierce's in a chaotic line and trick or treated at the check out and deli counters.

The trick or treating gang: Dorothy (Gretchen), Snow White (Hannah), Fairy (neighbor friend), Spiderman (cousin), Ballerina (cousin)
Snow White even has a poisoned apple.

The after shot. Smudged make-up, circles under the eyes, frazzled out on sugar. This cracks me up every time I look at it. Classic!

October

Hannah lost her first tooth in the car earlier this month, after a day of apple picking and apple eating. She was so excited she was crying.
Apple picking with the cousins. They were the taste testers. We went to Door Creek Orchard and I was very excited to collect the windfall apples for a discounted price for my apple butter.

This is a sweet picture from Papa's 30th birthday. Hannah made him a mushroom crown. I made Pakistani food (that I learned to prepare in my Pakistani cooking class!) and had a couple friends over for cake.

Yes, those are birthday cakes! Aren't they cute!

Conversation with Hannah

Today on the way to school Hannah said "Mama, when I am big like 15, or 14, I am just going to go out into the big world on my own. Don't worry, I will be able to find my home again."
This is what I am facing in the teen years I am afraid. She is going to want nothing to do with me! It's always been a challenge to find reasonable boundaries for her, she is such an independant spirit. She detests boundaries. I suppose this is a good trait to have, but it sure is a challenge to parent. :)

This statement followed a long discussion of how much she loves the earth, and nature, and animals. She told me she buried the dead bird (that we found in our yard last spring) because she loves animals SOOO much and wants them to go to heaven. She told me she likes to go into the woods all by herself because she is not even afraid.

I wish I had a tape recorder last night. She left the dinner table and said something like "I have to go clean my room right away." WOAH!! She has suddenly decided that she wants a clean room, but more importantly, and totally mermaid room. She keeps giving Gretchen things that are not "mermaid" for her room. She hung shreds of green and blue paper on her door as seaweed and put a sign on the door that says "Entrance to the Mermaid Room."

My camera is out of batteries, but as soon as I get it charged up I will post some pictures of the costumes from trick or treating. Happy day!

pictures to share

I found Gretchen doing this in the bathroom the other day, and she said "Mama, LOOK, I'm just like Grandad! She's been watching Grandad and his crazy hair combing skills, I guess.

Gregg and a coworker found this on a mushroom hunt. Chicken of the Woods, and it actually tastes like chicken! It's awesome!


Our little mushroom hunter. We have been on many mushroom forays this season. So far we have found (as far as edibles go): honey mushrooms, chicken of the woods, puffballs, and I think there is more, but you would have to ask Gregg.


Our carrots were beautiful this year! Photograph by Hannah.


Squirrel Moon Dance and Music Weekend at Folklore Village. SO fun! music and dancing non-stop all weekend, with wonderful people, in a beautiful place. what could be better?

obligatory first day of school pictures

Wow. I have a Kindergartener! Hannah is loving it, and we love her school (Emerson Elementary) and her teacher. We have officially entered the world of school: lunch boxes, PTO meetings, bake sales, early bedtimes. Hannah already has her first crush (what!?!?) My jaw dropped the floor when she told me that "I think I kind of love Aiden!" We in for trouble, I think.
Gretchen started 1/2 day preschool, 3 days a week, at Lakeview Cooperative Preschool. She feels pretty cool having her own school. Her teachers are always telling me she had a happy day, which is probably why she melts down as soon as we get home. release.......

Fall has been so beautiful this year. a little rainy. As i look out the window right this moment, I actually see tiny snowflakes! unbelievable. I had to scrape the windshield for the first time this morning.

Erik 1979-2009

To the memory of our dear friend Erik: someone who truly knew how to love and live, he believed in the goodness of people and the world and infected everyone he met with it. You will be greatly missed and always alive in our life. Thank you for the memories and adventures.



Erik always had some crazy skills. here he is showing us how to build a fire out of a stick and a piece of grass.

Hunting the buffalo in the wild wild west on a road trip our freshman year of college.

For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?

And what is it to cease breathing but to free the breath from its restless tides that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?

Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.

And when you have reached the mountaintop, then you shall begin to climb.

And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.

-Kahlil Gibran, on death from The Prophet

Outdoor Sculpture "The Awakening" at the National Harbor.

Hot sweaty girls. This was after our long run to catch the ferry boat.
One of the many highlights of our trip to visit the grandparents in DC. The slip and slide! It had a sharks mouth that you slid through!
This is at Grandma Sanfords in Viola, WI. pickin' and grinnin' on the front porch with Gregg's cousin Cody.
Just wanted to share some pictures, I will write more later when 2 girls are not clinging onto me begging me to do their "letters" on the computer. Anyone with kids: starfall.com. My kids love it. I do too.