A few years ago we visited a local pioneer graveyard. We came to the headstone of Charles McKinnis, and one of the kids asked "Dad, are ghosts real?" I was agnostic at the time, and answered like a good scientist, "I don't know, let's do an experiment." So (gulp), I invited Mr. McKinnis to haunt us if he was real. 
Today my Dad turned 70 years old. For me this seems quite accomplishment. He has worked hard in his life and has been there for his children. We are happy to be able to share this day with him. We baked him an awesome pineapple upside cake. Ya that's right it was AWESOME!! --Linda
Joe decided to go all the way with his haircut today. He seems genuinely pleased with the new look - check out that smile. Actually, we all got haircuts this weekend. Anna took off 14", Lydi got a bob, and Amaya shortened hers up too. I went in the to the barber for mine. I like the warm-shaving-cream-on-the-neck treatment.
The Christmas season has officially started! We spent yesterday with Grandma T making cookies. We made russian teacakes, sugar cookies, and ricotta cookies. We learned that Grandma has two ovens, so she can handle all of the demand. 
Abby, age 12. 
Aunt Jan and Cousin Paul. Paul is recovering from a 15' fall he took last week from a roof.
Lydia and Elydia.
We've adopted a cat. It was a stray that the kids started feeding and petting. We've named her Mystery. She's already pulling her weight - she's caught two mice! 
I traveled this past week to teach an internal course about the mechanics of rubber to Cooper materials and product engineers. Our Melksham plant is only 20 miles away from Stonehenge! One of my colleagues here took me on a tour of the area. So much history. We saw world's largest man-made hill, and other stone formations. Did you know the stones here (which are massive) came from Wales, and were put together around 3000BC?! How did they get them here? Nobody knows who or how.
Joe and Izak hanging out in the DJ station. Joe did a great job with the music, and kept everyone dancing all night. 
Anna just turned 15, and we are gearing up for a big celebration on Saturday. Hope we see you there! 4 pm - ?
Kids making themselves into Mermaids, as viewed by Dad in his chair. Kids reading about how a glacier carved 3 acres of giant grooves into the limestone. View from the Ferry that carried our Suburban to and from the island. It was a great day.
Amaya showing off the garden's first cucumber. It didn't last any longer than it took to cut it up and take this picture.
I finished setting up the trampoline today, while the kids made 'Dad fan club' t-shirts, and Lydi watched Wall-e. For lunch we had veggie chili, and Amaya made corn bread. The chili featured fresh cilantro, which I failed to chop finely enough. So it was a little like seaweed in our chili. But the flavor was great.
