Black Diamond Mines

 

 

 

 

Yesterday we took the kids to the Black Diamond Mines regional park in Antioch. We weren't sure what to expect, we just needed to stretch our legs. It turned out to be a worthwhile drive -- the park was had six small coal towns and railroads for sand and coal mining. We weren't able to enter any of the tunnels since they are closed for winter & repair, but we climbed up rocky slopes and dug for artifacts and interesting rocks.

New Passions

Nate now loves to play, among other things, handball, Connect 4, and yikes! games on Michael's iPod. I am closely monitoring the latter situation so I don't lose two Dawson boys to that darn machine.

Horsing Around with Daddy (he's the horse)

Birthday Girl or Indian Princess?

Yes! Julie's birthday...she got to wear a birthday crown at school and also enjoy a Thanksgiving feast with her class and their "big buddies" from 3rd grade. The Kindergartners were Indians and big buddies dressed as pilgrims. Julie displayed her full handmade regalia along with other Friday Folder goodies... When Nate got back from school, we enjoyed cake, present unwrapping, and being with our now five! and six year olds.

Julie's Birthday Tea Party

We had a tea party lunch to celebrate Julie's birthday with some of her friends on Thursday. Big brother Nate was still in school so was spared the girlie scene. The girls enjoyed heart shaped jam sandwiches, cheese puffs, berries, rasberry tea, and other small delicacies served by an impeccable wait staff. They decorated doilies, painted fans, and created some lovely tea hats before enjoying mini cupcakes and brownie bites. Whew - a real power (girl power) lunch! Isn't she lovely?!

More Library Photos

 

 

 

 

Lafayette Library Grand Opening

 

 

 

 

November 14 was a big day in Lafayette -- the gorgeous new $42 million library opened up to the public. As part of my volunteer efforts with Sustainable Lafayette, I was able plan our participation for the event on Saturday. We collected enough donations to purchase 50 new environmental films for the collection, handed out bookmarks, and had my "green building feature" signs placed around the inside. (Julie helped put them in frames and looked pretty pleased seeing them inside.)

Visiting

 

 

 

Another great visit from Nate and Julie's grandparents. (Thanks Mom and Dad!)

Costumes

 

 

I'm finally updating the blog with pictures of Nate & Julie's costume (scary vampire bat & cuddly white bunny, respectively.) After we closed down our street, had a little party in the road, we took the kids around the neighborhood along with friends and their two sons who recently moved nearby. Julie ended up with less candy than Nate, because as she says "I kept falling." Poor white bunny.

The leaves are falling