Hi Everybody,

I really don't have many pictures this time ("You didn't last time either," you say. - Oh, be quiet, would you; I never promised long posts). I was scraping "the bottom of the folder" to come up with these. The problem isn't that nothing is happening in life - things seem to happen at a breathtaking rate these days. Either recent events have not been photogenic or I just have been too busy (or forgetful) to take a lot of pictures. Some of both is true.

We have the Jacksons over for Conrad's Birthday

It is almost a tradition for our two families to play

Dictionary (Balderdash) whenever we get together!

The complete Webster's dictionary! -
Mr. Jackson couldn't find any words that he didn't know

in our abridged dictionary!

What does the word osculate present to your mind?


Our ideas roll in.
Nobody other than Mr. Jackson would be able to keep a straight
face with such definitions as those were!


Dictionary has got to be one of the funniest games existing!
We go into convulsions over some people's outlandish ideas.

*doubtfully*

"To kiss? - I don't think so. Imagine the minister saying,

'You may now osculate the bride'!"

Believe it or not, to kiss is really the definition of the
word osculate! Michael said that he always uses that word,

and it has never failed him (in other words, it always tricks
everyone).

Debate

Time for the cake.

(Michael, who shares a birthday with Conrad, has been
celebrating his birthday with our family for the past nine years.)

Dad said, "I never saw anyone cut a cake in that way before."

Conrad Doing "Girl's Work"

I am posting this series of photos as a birthday favor for Conrad. Apparently, one of his friends is always giving him a hard time about not working in the kitchen. Conrad begged me to post these pictures to prove to him that he can cook. :-)

Pour in the batter...

...don't take your eyes off them for a second...

...and Voila! Pancakes!

(Conrad they were delicious! Keep up the good work.)

My brother even sews, though - I'll let you in on a little secret - it was a slingshot for his fort. ;-)

The Girls Take Over the Kitchen

Take a look! When the boys are in the kitchen, this is what
we put up with.

"...A pause for rest, a rest for paws..."

~ from "Motto for a Dog" by Arthur Guiterman

The site of a major lasagna operation.

Her sentiments regarding the job ahead are obvious!

Outdoor Stuff

Conrad informed me: "Now there is real dish-washing!"

This copper kettle is Dad's latest acquisition. It is a prop for, what
could be entitled, his "Dreams for the Future." :-) (Someday he wants to cook our own pear butter just like Mom's family does. Check out this post.)

Inspector

When Dad and I were in the hardware store getting the necessary supplies to scrub the kettle, the cashier commented, "It looks like you don't have a very fun job ahead of you today." Without remorse Dad replied, "Actually, my son is going to do it!"

Fall will soon be over everyone, but, if you didn't do it yet, there is still time to have one of those good old parties out in the leaves!

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Have a great day and God Bless!

~Carmen~