WHAT'S GOING ON? (In the family.)

Halloween is one of most people's favorite holidays, especially if they have children. Of course, it gives the adults permission to dress up as well. These are some of my family's fun costumes from years past:

This year, my great grandson Phoenix was introduced as the White Bunny...

While his mom Audrey was Alice in Wonderland...

And his dad Erick was the Mad Hatter...

Daughter Carajean (Genie) and son-in-law Branch (Grandpa) should win some kind of prize! This is the Ouji lady and Houdini...

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It has been a long, long time since I last posted here. So much has occurred I wish I had not waited so long. In August my daughter and her husband treated their whole family and their significant others to a fantastic trip to Spain. This was a "reward" for those who had graduated from various institutions this year. (I think there were three in their family.) They even took our precious new addition, Phoenix, along with them. They took hundreds of photographs and videos to document the beautiful sites they visited. 

(The Crew - Spain, August 2022)

One of the most important family events happened while on this trip. Ashlyn not only received her PA degree this summer, but the love of her life, Erik, proposed -- and she accepted, to the delight of the whole family! Upon their return, they enjoyed a huge engagement party. A wedding date has not been set yet.

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My youngest grandchild, Kelly, has two exciting occurrences recently. She finally got her real driver's license! Not that it makes dad and mom  - Matthew and Amy - very happy. Driving in Austin traffic is an adventure at best! Maybe worst of all it means that their youngest is growing up way too fast!  

Kelly has spent many hours this year practicing for a monumental performance coming up next month. She will be going to New York City accompanied by her mom and the entire Vandegrift High School Band and Vision Dance Team that she performs with. They have won many first place awards and were invited to perform this year in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

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Daughter Carajean enlisted the help of her brother Matthew after a raccoon found its way into her home through the doggy door! It managed to open a drawer that held dog treats before exiting, leaving a trail behind. I asked her how many raccoons they have caught to date in the trap that Matthew furnished. I gasped when she told me SEVEN! 

I recall Matthew catching one when he was young and begging me to let him keep it. No way! Here is a photo he took of one recently caught (and he told me he thinks it's cute!)

Speaking of Matthew.. I recently asked him if he had any "harrowing" experiences lately. (Not including the catch and release of above-mentioned raccoons!) I referred to an article he wrote for me in 2008: I Don't Know Why I'm Not Gray This is the recent response I got: 

"I was down $28 heading into the 18th hole. Feeling confident, I went double or nothing, thinking I would make par and my opponent would choke." 

"I lost. That's the extent of my 'harrowing' experiences lately."

Creating this post with all of the photos (different sizes from different family members) and wondering if the creators of the "blogger" site have been toying around with new ways of using it has been my most "harrowing experience" in a while. I think I will sign off for now. 

I hope your family has been as creative and had as much fun as ours has!

Peace and love

Marilyn