Dear Sis,

Trick or Treat was alive and well in our neighborhood, despite the pandemic. We placed our treats in paper cups, lined up on our 8 foot folding table. Susan suggested it, as a more contact free way of enjoying the holiday. Our next door neighbor saw what we were up to, and came out with a stack of paper cups too:) We went through our 55 treats in half an hours. We put away our table and chairs in the garage, pulled out the wagon, and went trick-or-treating ourselves. (Josh was working, so we found a way to do it all, with just mom:)

Our Tiger Jack-o-Lantern, William made with Gran, turned out really neat!

William collected an astounding amount of candy in 1 hour and 2 dead end streets! I let him eat as much as he wanted until bedtime, but cautioned him that I didn’t want to hear any whining about tummy aches.

You guys should come next year to trick-or-treat with us. I can’t imagine much is going on in your rural neighborhood… haha.

Love,

b

Dear Sis,

Poor Papa Carmin spent some time in the hospital getting his ulcerative colitis diagnosed. We arrived, shortly after his discharge to help him get back to independent living. 

The trip was a whirlwind. We managed to create a kitchenette in Papa’s house truck, sort out a pinched nerve he acquired during his hospital stay with a few chiropractor visits, and make numerous stops at the grocery store while we discovered what foods worked for Papa, and then taught him to cook them:) 

We also went to the doctor, refilled prescriptions, undated a bunch of inoculations, and had a bunch of labs drawn. It was a crazy two weeks, that ended a day early because the kids fell ill and we didn’t want to share it with Papa, who is using steroids to manage his disease, and is thereby immune compromised.

October 18th

William had a day trip with Papa Jeff to Lake Arthur, at Moraine State Park. There was no fishing, just “going fast,” in the boat.

October 19th

Papa Carmin learned to make homemade chicken tenders in his new air frier. 

October 23rd

A surprise 80 degree day, ended in ice cream:)

October 26th

William carved his first pumpkin with Gran. He drew the tiger on himself!

Washing after dinner dishes with Gran’s boyfriend, Brian.

October 27th

The kids and I finally got to know Brain this visit:)

Love,

b

Dear Sis,

After a few batches of visitors, hosting a book club, and the kids and I getting ill. I finally got our life in order enough to do a 12 month photo shoot. Better late than never:)

Charlotte is wearing her birthday outfit🙂

Love,

b