Cathy and Scarlett came this weekend and we had a nice time. We went to Flavor Fruit Farms where Scarlett especially enjoyed the animals. She rode on a pony and was able to see a new litter of piglets. We had mild weather for late October so it was a lovely weekend.

Scarlett enjoyed trying on a unicorn costume:


The farm has a perfect spot for picture taking:


Scarlett especially loved the black horse and waited for a turn on him:



Scarlett's hair had a little trimming:


The baby pigs were so cute!



Here's Scarlett having her bangs trimmed on the back patio.

Matt and Tyler eating dinner:

Last weekend Tom, Kelly, Matthew, and Tyler plus Cathy and Scarlett visited. It was a busy time with many activities: going to the park, shopping, football game, eating, and going to the apple farm. It was so much fun and the weekend passed very quickly. Now our house is too quiet!

At the apple farm:

At the football game:

Pumpkins at the apple farm:

Enjoying the animals:

Grandma reads to the boys:

Scarlett and Tyler:

Three generations of football lovers:

The runner:

Cousins at the park:

Here is Tony in his new jacket. There is a story about this jacket. Please ask me!

We had such a wonderful Labor Day weekend when Steve, Marta, Gabe, Ale, Cathy, and Scarlett came. It was a very busy weekend!
Friday we went to Michigan State, had lunch with Carole and Keith at the International Center, and went to the museum.



Saturday the guys watched Michigan State Football, Cathy ran 20 miles, and Marta and I took the kids to Domino Farms in Ann Arbor to pet the animals. Then in the evening we went to the Chinese buffet.

Sunday was such a beautiful end of summer kind of day, with just a little chill in the air (finally after so many hot and humid days!) We were invited to the lake by Dee and Walt and enjoyed a wonderful ride on their new pontoon boat. Some of the little people got in the driver's seat and took a turn (with a little help) navigating the waters!














So much fun!!!

Here is my student Michika who is moving back to Japan this week. She is lovely and kind, a very good student, and we will miss her. Good luck to Michika and her family!

We just spent a few days in Northern Michigan. First we went to Mackinaw City where you can see the beautiful Mackinaw Bridge.




Then we went up to Munising and Marquette to spend some time at Lake Superior.



Then we went to St. Ignace where we like to go to Mackinaw Island and hike the 8 mile perimeter of the island.




It was a wonderfully relaxing few days away.

More pictures of Scarlett from this weekend:


Good news! Steve, Marta, Gabriel, and Ale will visit us Labor Day weekend!! I can hardly wait.

Here are three princesses: Scarlett, Anne Marie, and Mary Jo.

Chicken video

Mary Jo, Scarlett and Anne Marie do the chicken dance.

Today the mothers of two of my students plus a sister came to my house for a visit. Everyone was so kind. When the grandmothers of the world get together, there is no difference!
In this picture my student Sachiko is on the left. Next to her is her sister. Next to me is Sachiko's mother, and on the right is Sachiko's mother-in-law. Sachiko's husband is also my student.
We had a tour of my house, drank tea, and talked with Sachiko translating. She did a good job; translating is hard work!

The last few days we've had a visit from my sister-in-law Barb, my brother Dean's widow, who is originally from Michigan and now lives in Mississippi with her daughter Kim's family. We had not seen each other for several years so it was lovely to catch up, reminiscing, talking about lots of things. In addition we saw Barb's extended family, including Kim and Merle, Jessica and Ben, their baby Bella who has beautiful reddish blond hair and big blue eyes.

Five year old Scarlett enjoys the "Talking Tom" app on Grandma's IPad.

It looks like summer has arrived at our house.

Our side yard:



Our front entrance:




The circle around the tree in our front yard:

My student Sachie has studied the Japanese art of flower arranging, called Ikebana. Today Sachie cut and arranged some yellow irises that are growing near our front door. (Steve and Marta, you gave us these iris bulbs from your Michigan house!) I like the arrangement so much. It has simple pure lines.