Autumn (with summer leftovers on the side)

COW POOP
What wild weather!  We are all thankful that Carol,  Jimmy and family were spared damage in the major flooding caused by tropical storm Lee.  Their area (Binghamton) was declared a disaster area.  Nancy, Patty and I are attending another Allen Cousins get-together this Saturday.  Fantasy football is in full swing.  Very cool air is reminding us that winter is just around the corner.  Enjoy the pictures of the youngsters on their first day of school. 


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Andrew (above) is dapper in his school uniform.  At the end of the day (right) the shirt is out and he is smiling.  Looks like it was a great first day!!

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Kiera (Cathy's granddaughter) is also in uniform and ready for pre-K

 at the local parochial school.

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Andrew and Allison have six to send off to school! 

Jasmine, Patrick and Gregory . . .    and

Sean, Brendan, and Marissa.  They all look ready to roll!

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GOODBYE (sniff, sniff) Dean's Ice Cream Shop!  We will see you next year!


Nancy and I made a run to Wegman's today.  I dropped off my car for an oil change and she drove.  On the way back we made a farewell stop at Dean's for their yummy soft ice cream---a vanilla/chocolate twist.  Dean's also sells mums and apples (right from the growers). 

Nancy shares her ice cream with the great pumpkin.

We love fall in Western NYS!


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Tommy and Judy were in Fort Worth on the weekend of September 10th for the baptism of Lindsay and Jason's son, Colin.

Reece (5), Graham (2) and baby Colin.

A great family photo.  I remember being in this church for Alison and Andrew's wedding.

Tommy and Judy took the older boys back to their hotel for an overnight of swimming and reading.

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Mary Ann and Lin spent Labor Day weekend in the Binghamton area and got to spend some time with Carol and Jimmy (this was all before the storm).

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On an August afternoon, Nancy and I stopped by the Keuka Lake cottage owned by Christi's in laws.  Brett was also there with his dog.  We didn't stay long but it was a beautiful day on the lake!

 You are supposed to watering the flowers, not me!

"Ronin" loves the water!

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This is a cute doggie.  I think his/her name should be "spunky."  "Spunky" is German.  Jeff and his friend, Anne, visit the animal shelters in Munich and walk dogs there on a regular basis.  This is one of the smaller dogs they have walked.  I wonder how you say "bow-wow" in German?!

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CRAB LEG SEASON

Gregory and Patrick are finding their very first time eating crab legs quite interesting!

Andrew is burning the candle at both ends, trimming the bushes in the dark.  They have been readying their home for sale.  That's a big job, as I well know.

The house had lots of empty boxes this summer, just waiting to be filled with stuff headed for storage.  Until they were filled, the kids and "Cubby" the cat had a ball playing with them.  Allison said they may even consider getting empty boxes again next year just because everyone had so much fun with them!

"CUBBY" is King of the Boxes.

"Cubby" thinks he is invisible.

"Cubby" is thinking, "Oh yes, they will NEVER find me here!"

I thought the stockades were done away with YEARS ago!

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 above cartoon Compliments of Tommy
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Ancient Words . . . Ever True

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
   wisdom and power are his.
²¹ He changes times and seasons;
   he deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise
   and knowledge to the discerning.
²² He reveals deep and hidden things;
   he knows what lies in darkness,
   and light dwells with him.
                                                                               Daniel 2: 20-22

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Here are some nice photos of Tommy & Judy's family get together last summer.
 They were sent to them by the kids.

Ginger, Darren and their little miracle baby girl!

Lindsay, Samantha (Alison's daughter), Alison, and Kristen.  (I hope I got the twins' names right---think I did).

above:  Alison swimming with her kids and below: Lindsay with two of her boys.

Ah, summer is but a memory!





PLEASE SEND FALL NEWS AND PHOTOS!

SEPTEMBER!

COW POOP

The electric/generator project here continues.  It's been a busy time.  Steve and Claire escaped Irene with the inconvenience of losing power for a few days and a couple inches of water in their basement.

Nancy is as busy as ever.  Patty is working part time and canning, making jam, etc.  Linwood is back to work after several months off for shoulder surgery.  Carol B. calls me frequently to touch base and I also talk with Mary Ann.  The kinfolk are busy and also enjoying this season of harvest.  Here are some summer pictures.  Sorry it's been a while since the last post!

TIMMY AND KERRY'S first camping trip with their 5th wheel.  Now they are ready to roll, with the pets in tow, if a hurricane hits.

Relaxing   . . . !!

Carol is in a pickle---dill, to be exact!

Brett and "Ronin" taking on yet another of the Finger Lakes Trails

He's thirsty!

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Tommy and Judy recently returned from a vist to Colorado, where Tonia and family reside.

Sightseeing was in order, and the Air Force Academy was a highlight.

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Lacey ! 

A birthday celebration was held at SNUG HARBOR restaurant on Keuka Lake.  (note:  that is where our sisters' cookie exchange luncheon will be held this year).

Nancy's high school pal, Bonnie, joined them.  Nancy and Bonnie both have July birthdays and each year celebrate together.  However, the hot weather postponed their birthday date in July, so they combined it with Lacey's dinner.

Once again, Barry is surrounded by women!  He has developed the essential skill of tuning out many things while still looking interested.  It's called SURVIVAL:)

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Kittens's Chow Time

These cute kittens found their way up to Nancy's porch to sleep at night. She put out some kitten food.  One was so hungry it jumped into the dish!

The dish was slowly move out by the garage and the kittys followed,

You KNOW you live in redneck country when you dig a hole and find there had been a dump there (or the farmer just buried his JUNK, which is more likely).

We found tons of junk and had some hauled away.  Lots of broken bottles, too.  I did find this half pint jar from the Hopkins Dairy in Bath (it's no longer in business).  Barry took Nancy there for ice cream on one of their first dates.  (I am keeping it to put flowers in).

Here is our generator that still must be installed.  Nancy is already coveting it!!!!

Our basement is still a mess.  However, Lew carved out one area and put up walls so I could use our shelving for a pantry and kitchen items that I need but don't use a lot.  Nancy approved.



My very first laptop!  My desktop is getting very slow---less than 2GB RAM.  I pay our bills online and need something reliable.  Jeff gave me the info on a company based in California where I ordered it.  It is my first NON-Dell computer.  So far, so good!

"Carlie" is just as cute as a button!  Kerry's not bad, either:)

Tim Jr. plays with Reagan and Bennett.

Reagan organizes her stuffed animals and Bennett is all smiles.

It's been a fun summer for everyone!



FANTASY FOOTBALL, "Allen Family Feud" is done with its draft and matches are set.

The first matchups are getting personal:  mothers against sons:  Andrew/Cathy, Me/Jeff;  wives against husbands:  Nancy/Barry; brother against brother:  Matt/Tom Mayo.  LET THE GAMES BEGIN!  Thanks to our commish, Andrew, for all the work.