halloween, 2018

 Tonight I had to work, and these guys live across town--they trick or treat in their own neighborhood where participation is high.

So I wasn't there and neither were they, but that's fine.  It's perfect.

Some others went trick or treating at my parents.  We started going there a few years ago because participation in our own neighborhood was minimal.

Anyway, it was a great evening.  Maria and Heidi and Alicia sent pictures so I felt included even though I was here working.

This is my mama with Heidi's little peanut:

 She's waking up so much now, looking so intently.

I recognize Super Girl, but that one in the green has wings, and cat whiskers and ears.  It's intriguing and perplexing.  She looks super happy though.   It reminds me of when Kari was little and on Halloween complained that her tutu gave her a headache.

From 2004:

There's Julia as a little baby on Little Jay's lap, wearing the pumpkin costume from my mom.  I was so happy to see it reappear again this year on Alicia's brother's baby daughter. 

Aww.  I LOVE seeing old clothes reappear.  It just makes me so happy.

Look at that baby.  

Oh my goodness.

They're ready to hit it and GET SOME CANDY!

 And then later, all partied out:

What a great night.

Nothing but love, Grandma

julia's confirmation

 It was a lovely service, personal and sweet, wonderful music, and family all around.

Here's Julia with her Godparents, Alicia and Maria, and another picture with all of us.

Afterward, dinner--the usual crowd feast of ham and cheesy potatoes, seven-layer salad, cheese and crackers and fruit and cherry nut bars and Special K bars, and chips and beans and even though we've eaten this meal a million times, it was pretty delicious.

 There were plenty of leftovers brought along to the party today and the party goers from last night cleaned up very nicely for church this morning.

 There you go--that's beautiful, Heidi!

Cousins:

 That kid in the plaid shirt is her big brother, and he used to love these scary goblets when he was small.

Jay's parents met Heidi and Joe's new baby for the first time. 

This is cute of Julia and Suzanne, her Prayer Partner.  These two have a lot of fun together.

 And of course, one with the cake:

Congratulations, Julia!

And so much love, Mom and Dad and EVERYBODY

more party, 2018

 (Who gave that kid a kazoo?  They should really re-think their choices.)

And that brings to about the end of a fine and lovely evening.

So much love, Val, aka Grandma, aka MOM

mummy wrap, 2018

 It always kind of goes off the rails at some point, starts to seem more like a tee pee situation than wrapping of mummies, but that's okay.  We've seen it before.

I love you fine partying mummies!

Love, Grandma

halloween party, 2018

Dan and Alicia hosted this year.

 She was dressed as The Boss Baby, and it definitely suits her.

 All these Harry Potter guys:

 And more kids crowded in to pose:

 And then we had to move to a bigger spot.

 There they are!

My dad and Tim--

 Maria and Jule--

 Katherine and my niece's little baby:

Moving on to the Mummy Wrap--

love, Grandma