Fun Fall Pics

Notice Denver still has no hips to hold her pants up:)
Leaf Angels!

Fall Birthdays

Since getting together for individual birthdays would tax everyone's schedule to the max, our family gets together 4 times a year for Birthdays. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Altogether there were 5 Birthdays and one Anniversary to be celebrated. Denver being one of them as she turns 7 this November. Also my brother Kurt, my Uncle Paul, my nephew and Godson Tyler, my niece Mikayla(Happy Sweet 16!) and also my Parents Anniversary. Here is our gang, minus Wayne's folks who were there but had to leave before the photo was taken:(

Family is Good.

Garden Factory

Last Friday we took Possum to a one of our local nurseries for a doggie Halloween party. So many pups in costume. Possum was a Hula Dog, although the skirt really wouldn't even stay long enough for a picture. The girls had a blast because they got to dress up in costumes and Possum got a little stimulation. Wayne and I got to feel a little less guilt over our dog, who does not get nearly enough exercise during v-ball season. They had a very clever Bobbing for Weiners, which Possum became VERY good at VERY fast!

I have one more week left to my season. Then comes Post season, which is another ride altogether. I have only had one other year when I felt at the end of the season, like I would like it to go a bit longer. Crazy enough, I would like a little more time. I feel I could get them just that much better if only there were time...Oh I will be plenty glad to have a spare moment to breathe and I know my family will be glad to have me back to my regular duties. But I love this sport. The more I coach it the more I love it. The more I wish I could find a competitive way to keep playing. On the chance days when I am needed to fill a drill at the varsity practice I am always struck at how cathartic it feels to play, not just stand around like gym class ball, but really play with intensity. It's hard to feel more alive than when you are doing something you absolutely love that requires so much effort from you physically and mentally. That, and I think I've mentioned it before, but Nazareth has GREAT kids. They are the kind of girls I hope my kids look up to.

(Sigh) Volleyball is dreamy.

What Tree Is This?

I have long admired some of the trees around our neighborhood. Every Fall I just Fall in love with the way this particular tree changes its' leaves. But I have no idea what tree this is. I took the picture and some fallen leaves into our local Garden Center but to no avail. For you locals, there are many of them planted along the street on Pamona. So if anyone out there can give me a clue, that'd be great! I did try knocking on a few doors to see if maybe the owners knew, but no one was home and I started to feel a bit like a stalker. So if anyone has any suggestions...