November Downs

For the last 6 months Max's kidneys have been failing and the week before Election Day we took him in to the vet and learned that his red cell count was 11%. Although he seemed OK, it was clear that he was slowing down. Everyone was able to say goodbye over the next few days until one night, he ran out of gas. Two nights later the girls stayed up to watch the first female President fail to win the electoral vote. What a $#!!!^ week.

Clio could tell that her brother was dying. The day before Max died, she jumped up next to him

and lay down beside him

We held a funeral celebrating Max's life and the love and joy that he brought our family 

his remains were buried with pompoms, a toy mouse, some chicken, and blades of grass 

 The girls are going to lobby Congress to create a National Park site for Maxyboo

November Ups

Four pumpkins from the garden survived for carving this year 

Halloween trick or treating this year featured 2 vampires and 1 peacock fairy. The peacock fairy kept up remarkably well with the vampire pack and quickly filled her bag. The vampire pack's thirst for candy was not satisfied until their sacks were too heavy to carry. Their 13 pounds of loot was quite a haul.

Erin's fall season with the Rainbow Revolution came to end

 and then swim team meets began for both girls

 Wilson Farm's brilliant marketing brings cheeses into the lives its patrons

 Dad turned 42, almost as many hairs left on the top of his head

Tessie loves all playgrounds

Erin's birthday party was at an indoor trampoline park

Nice air, Erin

It was not a big party

but the cake could feed 30

Tessie relaxing with Max

One of Erin's gifts was face paint - ie makeup

The Boston Esplanade has a great playground, and we finally figured out to get there one beautiful Sunday morning

Caroline raced against 9 and 10 year olds 

Erin fared well in the 7-to-8 heats