Roanoke

I knew we would not be seeing the Laymons for the holidays this year, so last summer I promised Joshua I would fly out and take him trick-or-treating.  Gregg came with me and so did Cyndie, Seamus and Tim.  The Fall scenery was beautiful.  We just don't have the four seasons in Arizona.  We just have hot, very hot, and just right.  But, I like it that way because it helps my Ehlers Danlos pain.  Everytime I go visit Virginia when it's cold, I'm miserable and achey until I can get back where the sun can penetrate through to my muscles.  Melissa has a really hard time with it too, that's one reason they are trying to move back here.

This was Seamus's first trip, and it was a long one.  Four hours to fly into Raleigh (there are no direct flights into Roanoke) then a three hour drive to Melissa's house.  Seamus did really well, he's a real trooper.

Joshua was so excited to see us (he loves his grammy and grandpa so much).  Before this trip I had always felt it difficult to bond with Miriam because she was so young and always so busy, but we bonded this time.  She is a real girly girl - every morning she would bring my make up case to me so that I could put make up on her and do her hair.  Then I polished her fingernails and toenails.  She sat still the whole time - that is unusual for her.

Joshua was a Hamburger for Halloween. (Note the Halloween socks I'm wearing in
the background - Joshua bought those for me so my feet wouldn't get cold.

We had a Halloween party with the missionaries since they came for dinner.  Joshua picked out
the pinata.

Not sure if that plastic bat was going to do the trick, but it eventually worked.

We played pin the nose on the Jack-O-Lantern

And this is the end result of the game

Miriam was a ladybug, but she was a little grumpy until she caught onto what Halloween
was about, then she cheered up.

Seamus and Tim in Missy's front yard.

Went for a drive on the Blueridge Parkway

So much to see and so much to do

I was able to snap this picture of Miriam sitting for about 1/2 second.

Just try and make Miriam sit still!

She is exactly like her mother was at that age - always on the go.

Love this picture

This is my favorite.

Still working on the diet - 15 - 20 more pounds.

Joshua and Grandpa - note that Miriam is off and running.

Joshua is growing up so fast - he's quite articulate for a four year old.



I will miss not having them here for Christmas, but I guess they just bought tickets to come here in February, so I won't have to wait too long.