Enjoying Fall in Minnesota

The weather is changing, and after living in summer-like weather for the past 18 months, I'm loving it! To be able to wear jeans and long sleeves and enjoy cool breezes, the leaves changing colors, and occasionally turn on the fireplace (or have Brian build his grand fires downstairs in the REAL fireplace). Those are things I've been enjoying. Also, getting to spend one-on-one time with my Zachy, at home, where there's plenty for a little boy to do, is GREAT! Well, unless he refuses to nap, and is just crabby-tired! Sacia is home every other day, so Zach enjoys playing with her on those days. She is growing up too!

Zach is now wearing big-boy pull-ups and keeping them dry 90% of the time! I'm so proud! He loves driving his 'vehicles', which include a John Deere gator and a kids' 4-wheeler that we picked up CHEAP at a yard sale a month back. And we have an outdoor cat now, who will hopefully help curb any mice or chipmunk-in-the-garage problems we may have.

Brian and I are preparing for our pack-up trip to Bangalore, and are pretty excited about it! More on that later...

a cool hammock picture... I think of relaxing in the hammock at Cicada, Kabini whenever I sit in it!


a nice Zachy-smile



my happy little dreamer



Brian built this huge sandbox, right outside my kitchen window, and the kids love it! It's almost complete, needs seats on the corners.

Our Niece's Baptism

Last Sunday, our niece, Ryla, was baptized. Our family went to my home church in Potsdam (1/4 mile long tiny town outside of Rochester) for the special day, then out to Nathan and Amanda's home for a nice meal and get-together. The girls (and all of us!) just adore Ryla, and what's not to adore?! She's a doll, beautiful and sweet! It's fun to see my brother and his wife as parents, with so much fun ahead of them! The Meyer cousins are growing in size and number, making family get-togethers more and more interesting all the time!

the Meyer grandchildren/cousins: Erik, Zach, Ella, Ryla, Sacia


the sleeping angel


the Meyer family (missing Katrina)


big helper and cousin Ella

Back to School!

The school year is in full swing in Byron, Minnesota. Ella has now started 3rd grade, with many old and some new friends, and Sacia is a Kindergartener! The girls both are very excited about school, and are loving it! It's a very different year and group of people from last year at Indus! We very much miss everyone back in India, but are also so happy to be home with family and friends here. Here are some photos from some school days...


Ella and Sacia climb aboard bus #9 with Chuck, their wonderful bus driver!


Ella's first day of school



The girls running down the driveway to go catch the bus



...posing for a picture on Sacia's first day of Kindergarten

Ella is "8"!!! Happy Birthday, Ella-gator!

We celebrated Ella's 8th birthday, almost non-stop for 3 days last week! Her big day was the 27th, then her friend camp-out slumber party was the 28th, and our Meyer family party was the following day. Cake, cake, and more cake and ice cream!!! We've definitely had our fill this August! It's our big month for birthdays in my family!

Anyway, we're very proud of Ella, as she is growing up into a bright and sweet, caring young girl. She started 3rd grade on Monday, and is enjoying seeing all of her friends from Byron, after missing them when we spent her 2nd grade in India. She has a great teacher, and is glad to see her bus driver, Chuck, again as well! Sacia will join her this week Monday for her first day of Kindergarten!


Ella thinking of her birthday wish...


She got the American girl doll she's been wanting, Kit.


a line-up of glowing friends at her party


Ella helping with her cousin Erik at the Meyers' Seeds 100 year celebration


Happy 8th, Ella! We love you!!!