Snow Day Photo Shoot

I don't know what most people do when they get 

several inches of snow

but around here we have photo shoots!

With a park behind us and a built in model, well,

it's easy to do.

Easy and always fun!

Stay warm!

Hugs,

Susie Q

A Special Chinese Visitor

This month we hosted another Chinese middles school student!

Gao, or Rebecca as she liked to be called, (All the students

choose what they think of as American names to use)

fit right into our family.

She loved all of our pets and they loved her in return.

She and Grace loved to cook and "Rebecca"

enjoyed cooking us Chinese specialties.

We took her to eat at various restaurants, to see movies, to tour

various college campuses, to the Science Center in Columbus, 

to see the Air Force Museum, to play Laser Tag and to try ice skating 

at Dayton's Riverscape Park.

She and Grace hit it off almost immediately and

has such a wonderful time together.

We all got a bit teary eyed when it was time for her to leave but

we will hold our sweet memories tightly and always consider this

special young lady a part of our family!

Warmly,

Susie Q

Beggar's Night Fun

Our Grace was beautifully

dressed as a 1950's sweetie...

...and our Winston went as his favorite snack!

The weather was rainy, cold and windy but we still had

over 100 little ones come Trick or Treating!

Hoping you are well, safe and enjoying the last days of October!

Can you believe November is knocking at our doors?

Warmly,

Susie Q

Of Braces, Cupcakes and Fashionistas

Last week Grace and I began our day with her orthodontist!

It was "Braces Off  Day"!

And because her strange Mom thinks we need to celebrate everything

we played hooky and had a Mom/Daughter day!

We started off with a great lunch at Central Perc Cafe and followed that with 

a stop at Moore Dessert Please for cupcake and caramel apples!

Hey, the braces are off folks! Caramel can now rule!

That afternoon we went window shopping at The Greene

and stayed for the big fashion show!

It was hosted by supermodel Emme who is as 

sweet and friendly as she is gorgeous!

She's been named one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful 

People" (1994 and 1999)

 and Glamour magazine's "Woman of the Year" (1997).

 Ladies' Home Journal selected her as one of it's "Most Fascinating 

Women of the Year" (1997) and as one of it's 

"Most Important Women in America" (1999).

Her first book, True Beauty—Positive Attitudes & 

Practical Tips from the World's

 Leading Plus Size Model, was published in 1997. 

Also in 1997, she was invited to speak before a

 Congressional subcommittee about eating disorders.

What a wonderful role model for young ladies! She spoke to the crowd

about loving ourselves, and being beautiful, no matter our size, age or color! 

It was quite the thrill for my fashionista daughter!

Emme lifted Grace up here so they could chat "eye to eye"!

I thought this was so cute.

She wrote the nicest things to Grace who will always

 treasure meeting her.

Emme has a beautiful web site 

at: http://www.emmenation.com/

Grace also got to meet one of our beautiful local 

celebrities, Marcia Bonhart. Ms. Bonhart is an anchor at

our NBC affiliate.

The lovely Marcia Bonhart

Fashion has been  inspired by The Hunger Games

 trilogy and movie.

After the show we found Grace a great pair of wedge shoes and then

had a delicious dinner at Mimi's Cafe where we talked and laughed for two hours.

Spending such times with my kids is something I cherish.

It was such a wonderful day and one both

 Grace and I will remember always.

Hoping your Fall is starting off with a bang! Ohio has been blessed

by sweet temperatures of late...oh how I am enjoying it!

Till next time...

Warmly,

Susie Q

On The Road Again...

...or, I should say, we were! We are home now after being away quite a bit in July, August and over the Labor Day weekend. Grace and I were able to follow Bill to some conferences and we had a fine time! Well, even if I should be red of face that I missed Mr. Dennehy's birthday again. Shame on me. *smirk*

School has begun again, in earnest, but it is sweet to look back at some of the Summer fun we all had!

Are you lookin' at me?

Dinner? Nope, he lived to tell the tale!

We enjoyed our second trip to the Destin/Fort Walton Beach area.

We love it there and also love visiting Seaside, Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach.

And just as we did last year, we were able to spend some time with Kat and George!

Many of you know our Kat through her blog! They are such a wonderful couple!

Labor Day weekend had us enjoying the sights and sounds (and tastes!) 

of one of our favorite cities, St. Louis!

      

The main reason we were in St. Louis was to enjoy a mini reunion with 2 of the

 families who were in China with us 7 years ago...

Our Gracie

Mike & Shelby

Ginny

We saw our favorite local band play at The Fraze Pavilion near

here...The Stumps always bring the crowd to their feet and it is always

such fun to share their music with so many friends and family!

Grace with her favorite rock and roll drummer, Gary!

We went to Hippiefest again (One of our Summer traditions!), also at The Fraze Pavilion!

We attended a family reunion in Kentucky near Natural Bridge State Park

which is also where Bill and I spent part of our honeymoon 33 years ago!

Grace and Bill with cousins Ivy and Pamela

Bill with his cousin Randy

Grace and her BFF spent a lot of time together this Summer and one of the fun things

they did was to take kayaking lessons!

I was honored to be asked to take photos at 3 weddings this Summer.

These are the flowers from Chelsea and Tony's big day...

These are our friends Melissa and Dave...

Melissa changed her shoes so she could dance the night away...

...with the music of our friends Mark, Kenny, Gary, John and Jim...The Stumps!

I was also honored and blessed to be asked to shoot this young family's photos.

The daddy just left for a tour of Afghanistan so I humbly ask you to keep them in your prayers.

We celebrated my Mother's 84th birthday with dinner out...

(and my brother Jim being a goofball as always!)

...and a cake with her favorite baseball player, The Red's Joey Votto!

A few days later we celebrated my brother's birthday...and yes. He was still being

goofy but Grace doesn't look too afraid does she? *grin*

There was lots of time for having fun in the pool... 

...and for being goofy when our friends Kate and Ginny came here to visit us!

Oh and there were other birthdays, visitors, anniversary celebrations...and church fun,

silly times, late night movie marathons, sleep overs, catching fire flies,

cook outs, fireworks...

It was a great Summer. Uh huh. Sweet memories were made.

I hope your Summer was filled with special moments and sunny smiles.

Much love to you all!