Other Happenings in October

I made an unexpected trip to California to attend the funeral of a dear friend of mine who lost the battle to cancer after six hard years of fighting. The up-side of being in California was visiting six adorable little people. Here they are.  

Nora

Tracy

Sara

Gary

Theo

Mia

The kids always want to be the photographer, so this is the result. 

We also went to the beach while I was there, and that was a blast! I sure love these kids! 

Building the mandatory sand castle

Gary was dragging seaweed around all day. His final pile was impressive. 

Theo fed more of his lunch to the seagulls than he fed to himself. 

Cuteness overload! 

Agnes' Baptism Day

I have a couple other posts that I should have put up before this one, but sometimes you just can't go in "order."

Agnes, just before getting baptized

Agnes and Nick

Nana and Agnes

Sugar cookies- this might be by all-time favorite recipe. I'll blog it "soon." 

Cream puffs or "circular" eclairs

chocolate mousse and panna cotta 

focus on the "8" and the picture window, and ignore the bulletin board in the background

another picture window

red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting with the gorgeous gum paste flowers that Laura made

chow time! 

Olive loves strawberries! 

the chocolate mousse with its cherry

Each table had artwork and photos of Agnes. I like the easels Laura made from tongue depressors (also known as craft sticks)

Agnes' great-grandma. She really is great! 

Cameron and his wife, Selena

friends

more friends (and Olive)

Eliot finishes off the leftover fruit salad

Hallie gives her daddy, Seth a big hug.

Cohen's tongue matches his vest!

Hallie wanted to take a picture. She focused, I snapped. Great combination. Cute Katie!

Family picture #1

#2

#3

#4

#5

Agnes with her Grandpa Michael

Agnes with Nana and Poppy

It was a great day. Congratulations Agnes!

Agnes Is Eight!

 It's Agnes' turn to have a birthday today~ and she is 8 years old! I'm so excited for her! I have a very special relationship with this lovely young lady. I'm so happy she is nearby so I can see her often. She is a precious angel!

A donut for her first birthday! 

A fondue party for her second birthday! 

See what I mean about her being an angel? Totally.

Happy Birthday, Agnes! I love you more than you can imagine!