This Fall

This Fall, so far, lots of things have been happening here at Girasole Farm. 

We are patiently awaiting the arrival of Gran-baby #4- a BOY! 

I suspect he will make his grand entrance this week or next. 

We're still working on the back porch addition, finishing up the roof. We have the posts set and the cross beams up. It's been a work in progress that's for sure. 

Caveman's last day of work for the year is November 15th, and he will return to work on January 6th. 

This is the time of year when the long, long, work days of Summer really pay off. YAY! 

We've collected wood from the mountains, and officially had our first fire in the wood stove just a few days ago. 

 I spent a day baking a cake with Laci and Mia. 

I can cook a mean pie, but cake..well... 

I'm not so good. 

I can certainly make a tasty cake, but let's just say there is severe lack in presentation.  

In my cookbook obsession, I purchased this book on cakes...

Most of the recipes make nice small 6" cakes. 

The pans used are 6" round, 3" deep, although the only pans I could find were 2"deep. 

Isn't that cake on the cover lovely?

Simple, clean, and beautiful. 

That's what I tried to achieve...

but it didn't turn out so well...

Yummy none the less. 

I had positively adorable helpers...

Mia

Laci

We had a really great time together! 

That is what really mattered. 

Then there was Halloween...

 which consisted of a Butterfly
(Laci)

A Little Stinker Skunk

                                                                                                                    (Harper)

                                                                          A Ladybug

(Mia)

 Ryan, Tonya,

Laci and Mia

Kristina and Harper. 

In other non-pictured news-

Cousin Aletha came for a visit. 

I put up 3 batches of Pomegranate jam.

I painted  and re-decorated the Hall bathroom.

My sis and her boys came for a unexpected, Pre-Thanksgiving visit, this past weekend. 

My head is swirling with all sorts of ideas for Thanksgiving.

We are blessed enough to have some extra special family coming to be with us this year. 

My home will be full of family, friends, and LOTS of babies this year. 

Our hearts, as always, will be filled of  love, contentment, and peace. 

I see skies of blue, 
And clouds of white. 
The bright blessed day, 
The dark sacred night. 
And I think to myself, What a wonderful world. 

-Louis Armstrong-

The Girasole Lady

Sleep Over

On Saturday afternoon the girls came to Grammy & Papa's for a sleep over. 

It's the first time we have had both the girls here for a sleep over since Mia was born. 

When Mia was born with CDH,

 Laci lived with us for almost a month while her mommy and daddy were staying at UCD with baby Mia. 

I wasn't sure if the girls would really end up sleeping over, but they did, and everyone had a great time. 

We ALL slept on the living room floor on a makeshift bed.

The girls snuggled with Grammy and Papa and drifted off to sleep.

Mia woke up about 2AM, and was a little confused, but snuggled up with me and was fine. 

Although I might mention that she was awake off and on until after 4AM, at which point I fixed her a bottle and snuggled up with her on the reclining couch and we dozed together until morning. 

Yes, indeed, it is our job as Grammy & Papa to spoil the babies all we want. 

We spoiled them even more with a kid 'friendly' breakfast. 

Breakfast started with plain shaved ice

and cake pops! 

(aka- a donut hole with a toothpick inserted)

 Oh goodness- my kitchen is a mess. 

Special order pancakes....

a Puppy for Laci

(hand 'carved' by Papa)

and a heart for Mia

I love that our gran-babies are close enough to us to feel the comfort of 'home' here with us. 

I can't wait until Harper is old enough to join in on the fun as well. 

I have to admit I was exhausted by the time Laci & Mia went home Sunday afternoon,

But it was so worth it.

Spoiling is a tough job.

The Girasole Lady 

Harper Ann

We've been busy...

 HARPER ANN

Dec. 22, 2012

6Lb 9oz

18 1/2"

Momma & Baby are doing great...

Merry Christmas

*hugs*

The Girasole Lady