Happy Halloween!

What are the kids dressing up as this year?

Thanksgiving

Hi All...
Thanksgiving plans...
Mom talked to Matt and he & Lindsey will be going to the Quad Cities to have Thanksgiving with Lindsey's family on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday).
I need to head back to Chicago on Sunday.
How does Friday or Saturday look for the rest of you?
If Thursday works best for everyone else, Matt & Lindsey will be missing but will understand :) If Sunday works best, I will be missing, not sure about Matt & Lindsey.
Grandma has said that whatever works for all of us, works for them.
Mom said they shouldn't have any conflicts for either day because the Sidney kids will not be in Des Moines for Thanksgiving this year.
Thoughts?

Loving this fall weather!

How about this fall weather? It's been great!

Things have been busy here in Chicago. Had a friend from Des Moines and her mom come visit a couple weeks ago. We enjoyed a great warm Friday doing lots of Chicago sightseeing things and then Saturday when it was cold and rainy we went shopping. Man, they know how to shop!

I have agreed to be House Chair again for next year's Wright Plus - the one day special event that the FLW Preservation Trust holds in Oak Park where 8 private homes are opened up for the public who buy tickets. We have our first meeting next week to discuss house captains. I'm really looking forward to some of the houses on the tour!
I've also been asked to become a Volunteer Leader for the regular Home & Studio tours that I give one day a month. This means helping to coordinate the volunteers on my regular volunteer day, helping out the staff to keep things running smoothly.

Along with all the volunteering, I've been really busy with work (many projects going on at the same time) and I have added to all the above busyness by deciding to start the house hunt.

I know it's early for most of you, but are there any thoughts on Thanksgiving? I need to figure out the rest of my vacation time for the year and depending on the day we decide to get together may affect if I need to use a vacation day to drive back to Chicago.

Hope you are all doing well!

Well, we survived the big birthday party! This morning around 9:30, six of the kindergarten-and-under crowd descended on our house, thankfully many brought their parents with them.

Thankfully, the weather was nice enough that we could play outside for awhile before cake and snacks. Andrew had a great time and now that Mike and I have had a nap, I think we agree! :)

Tomorrow we're headed to a state park about 90 minutes from here to meet Marvin and Phyllis. Mike and I will camp tomorrow night with them (Mike has Monday off for Columbus Day), then leave Andrew with them for the bulk of the week. The weather looks great for a fall camping trip! "Back at the ranch," I'll be writing as much as possible and Mike will relish the opportunity to work in the bathroom without "help." Andrew has enjoyed working on the project with us, just isn't always the most helpful...Plus, he goes to bed early, so we can't clunk around in the bathroom most evenings without waking him up.

Enjoy this wonderful weekend!
heather