reindeer games

 A tradition was started long before I moved here of the staff kids taking candy to the dorm kids around Halloween time.  We're up to a pretty sizable group.  These are all of the elementary-age and younger kids, minus Milo Baughman.

 Ryan hauled Claire around in her reindeer outfit.  Jaclyn got it for her on clearance after last Christmas, thinking that it would fit her this Christmas.  Since she's such a chunk, there's no hope of that happening, so it became a good costume to wear this time of year.

Anastasia, Olivia, Carson, and Samantha with Kelly, our assistant dean

a walk around campus

Since our October home leave started today, I actually had time to walk around campus and take pictures of the leaves that are starting to change colors.

This maple tree is always bright in the fall and stands out from the others in the woods behind the music building.

one of many bees swarming these flowers

acorns, hickory nuts, and walnuts are all over the ground (and picnic tables)

jewelweed - has an active ingredient that's in Preparation H and is a natural remedy to poison ivy 

the trees that line the field below the gym are always a dazzling array of colors in fall

leaf monster

When I saw that the grounds crew (Michael and Bryce) had raked together a respectable amount of leaves, I grabbed Carson and Billy and headed out for the last minutes of daylight yesterday.

Hollie's visit

Today Hollie came to see me!

I gave her a tour of campus after lunch...

And we threw leaves!

fallish

Ryan's mandatory post-church shot

Ryan told the "3 clowns" to pose . . .

Gabby & me

Moose

A big flock of turkeys ran through Mathis's back yard as we were walking past. Ryan said they wouldn't be as fun to chase as Canada geese.

My "Leaves of 3, let it be" public service announcement

Ryan defies the laws of physics by swinging on a smallish branch

Bobtail finally let Ryan get close to her. He's calling her Shredder now.

Sabbath

My morning started out by sitting with Bobtail for a while before my walk. She's always dressed up for fall, and looks red instead of black in the sun.

The colors are really starting to come out on some of the trees here.

We celebrated Anita's (Chadd's mom) birthday at lunch. She has the plate that says "I'm special today."

Nikie made her Olive Garden's chocolate lasagna.

Chadd tries to hold up Nikie's belly. She's due on December 23.

Gabby, Olivia, and Becky came over on the golf cart for a visit. Olivia was tired, but didn't want to admit it. She only rested briefly in the window.

Wes lost a bet to Tyler playing ping pong and had to get his hair cut. Renee was the one who did the cutting and it turned out pretty good!

Olivia and Gabby had to hang onto the edge while Tyler jumped. They really flew high!

Olivia heard it was time to go. This isn't even their cart.