Pumpkin Carving

Halloween was so exciting this year, being Molly's first time to Trick or Treat and Faith really started to understand what trick or treat was all about. Prior to the big day, we all participated in carving the pumpkins for Halloween night. Mike's artistic side came out in his Jack Skellington pumpkin face. Nathan also did a nice job with his freehand pumpkin. Molly loved cleaning out the "guts" and the seeds, but Faith was not so sure about it. She tried with a spoon, but couldn't get much on each pass. We roasted the pumpkin seeds, but both girls were not much interested. The loved seeing the lit pumpkins when they trick or treated on Halloween. Our funny moment of Halloween: Molly was walking with Mike and Faith and stopped dead in her tracks, pointing to a large maple tree, and asking Mike if it was the "Trick or Trees". It was all he could do to keep from bursting into laughter. I guess our holidays are a little strange to her!

Boo at the Zoo

Faith as Minnie Mouse and Molly as Cinderella

Molly has a friend from Wuzhou, JoJo, that lives nearby in Westerville. Our family is so very fortunate to have met his family and to have the chance to get the kids together. They were friends in the orphanage and even shared a bed (although we have mixed messages on this). Lisa, JoJo's mom, and I can't believe how well the kids get along. It is a miracle that they live so close to one another and will be able to share their thoughts and memories. We met at Boo at the Zoo and spent most of the afternoon and early evening observing the animals and trick or treating. JoJo and Molly loved it! Faith and Sam, JoJo's brother had a good time too! When Lisa and I compare notes, we are amazed at some of the similarities we are finding. Like both hate loud noises and neither of them want to talk about Wuzhou. But mostly, we are just amazed at how well they seem to be adjusting.

Tina, Faith, Molly, Sam, Lisa and JoJo

Molly isn't too sure about these goats!

The kids all together

Faith just can't make it!

Molly takes a break

(I'm lost for words)

Two wonderful friends

Our newest Cheerleaders!

The drumline (AKD)

The marching band season in Gahanna ends with an indoor concert of all the marching band music with some special performances by the soloists and the drumline. It is always a great night. Since Molly and Faith love to watch the cheerleaders, we bought them a couple of Gahanna Lions cheer outfits - which they loved having on!

Homecoming 2007

Nathan's Homecoming weekend was October 13. He and his new girlfriend, Jenny, looked great! They had a wonderful time at the dance, and we found out later that 1700 kids attended it! Wow! Faith and Molly were very impressed with how Nathan looked all dressed up and had to have their pictures taken with him. We got some very beautiful pictures of the three of them. Hope you enjoy them.

Tying on the wrist corsage

Don't they look great!

Just had to get a goofy picture of the gang.

Apples and Pumpkins!

We had a wonderful visit from Cheryl and Jack this weekend. Molly was so excited to see her Aunt KuKu and meet Uncle Jack. We decided that even though the weather was still unseasonably warm, we wanted to go and pick apples and get our pumpkins for Halloween. The apple crop this year was not the best, and most of the apples that were left were up quite high (after just one day of picking!) But they still tasted delicious as we picked and we certainly enjoyed the company. I just love the picture of Nathan and the girls from behind. He was really not into the apple picking, but did come along with the family. We were thankful, as he could get up high in some of the trees to get the biggest apples!

Molly's first taste of her apple!

Our pumpkin picking went much better. In fact, we had too many to choose from. Faith was quite tired by that time and just went along with whatever we said. Molly was very curious as to how we were going to eat the pumpkins. We tried to explain carving them, but figured she was going to have to wait until we actually carved them to understand.




I like this picture with just the orange tones.

Introducing Blake Daniel Hoffman!

My sister Karen and her husband Rick welcomed home a sweet little boy, Blake Daniel on September 25. I travelled down to Cincinnati after work (thanks so much Mike for taking care of everything at home!) and was there with Karen and Rick for the evening. Just as I was getting ready to leave, the doctor came in to talk to Karen about a C-section. She had been laboring for quite some time with great contractions but no progression, so they felt that she should deliver by C-section. Little Blake was so blessed that they made that decision! Once he was delivered, a large knot was found in his umbilical cord. I thank God that he wasn't delivered naturally and that knot wasn't pulled tight, cutting off circulation to him during delivery. I had visited the chapel on my way up to see Karen to say a little prayer, as it was her first baby and I wanted everything to go well. Needless to say, I drove home with tears of thankfulness in my eyes that God put His hand on Blake and blessed him.

Here are pictures of Karen during labor (don't kill me - I think you are beautiful!) and then mom and her new gift from God.

Massilon Marching Band Festival

Nathan's fall is always busy with marching band, of course we never hear him complain! He is in his element, and loves to be involved with AKD, the drumline at school. AKD stands for All Kinds of Drums - although I have heard there may be another meaning (-;

The Gahanna Lincoln Marching Band traveled to Massilon, Ohio to march in a festival at Paul Brown Stadium. They were so impressive! We were the band from "down south" and the kids got a standing ovation! We heard so many positive comments about them from the people that surrounded us. They were very impressed with our drum major, the sound of the band, and with the drumline. Molly and Faith are getting used to being in the stands for long periods of time, and really enjoy dancing along with the music. They are so proud of their big brother!

Backwoods Fest

For years we have been going to the Backwoods Fest in Thornville, Ohio. It is always a relaxing drive and we have fun browsing the craft booths set up among the woods like little cabins and shacks. We also enjoy the food - beans cooked over an open fire in gigantic black kettles, fried bologna sandwiches cooked on a grill, chicken and noodles made homemade, funnel cakes, and many more yummy goodies. We thought that Faith and Molly would love walking around outdoors - and it was actually one of our cooler weekends in September (in the 60s and low 70s). We bought Molly her handmade Ohio Christmas tree ornament (a little family tradition). Here are some pictures of the girls enjoying the day.