Pumpkin Carving

We carved some pumpkins. We listened to halloween music. Lucia’s pumpkin was rotten so we had to run to the store to get another one. We roasted pumpkin seeds. Lucia’s new pumpkin had seeds inside that were sprouting.

Labor Day Weekend

We had a fun, busy Labor Day Weekend. The Mary and Casey were in town and it was the last weekend to have our pool up. On Friday we had everyone over for pizza and to watch the Valley vs Dowling football game. On Saturday we did our own thing during the day and then Mary and Casey hosted dinner at the Rafferty’s (their friends’ house). Sunday was the closing party for the pool.

Friday night dinner
Kids’ table
Susan and I headed to the Connor dinner.
Supply organizing to get ready for another year of homeschooling for Lucia and Rose.
Elliot has been working hard this summer to save money to buy a new bike.
Kids in the pool.
Tube flip
See you next year, pool!

4th of July Festivities

This year we hosted a 4th of July pool party! Gary, Kathie, and the Reagens (sans Nate) came over in the afternoon to hang out, eat dinner, and then enjoy a fireworks display presented by Ian. Having the pool available was fun because it reminded me of 4th of July in Cincinnati, where there was always a pool. Sadly, there was no Chex mix.

Mari’s Cake
pre-fireworks

Happy Mother’s Day

It may have been one of the colder Mother’s Days on record but today we celebrated in what has become the traditional ways. Susan joined Kathie and Erin for a walk in the early afternoon and then when she got home we did some planting and had salads.

Liess Family Christmas

This year we celebrated Liess Family Christmas on New Year’s Day. Where are our NYE pictures, you might be wondering? Rose ended up being sick on New Years, so we didn’t take many pictures. We did have the Connors and the Reagens over.

The Liess Clan

Christmas 2020

Our Christmas was a little different this year than in years past. Normally we do our thing in the morning and then join the Reagens and Liesses in the afternoon to celebrate Nate’s birthday. This year the Reagens were traveling, so we did our thing most of the day and then join Mimi & Papa at Perkins for dinner, before driving around to look at some Christmas lights.

The little girls had a blast with all of their new things.
The big kids opened some presents, too.
Also, it was really warm.

Solstice Hike

Warming by the fire after the hike.

This evening we celebrated Solstice by going for a night hike at Jester Park. They lined a short trail with lanterns and luminaries and then had hot chocolate and smores afterward.

Saturday Happenings

This afternoon we paid a visit to Greenwood Park, where the kids used to come every Monday during homeschooling. The pond was awesomely frozen and we enjoyed the lower access. Elliot also saw a big mammal swimming under the ice.
In the evening we went to the mall to hang out and walk around for a bit. Rose wanted to visit Santa, so we did just that.