Fall Roundup!

 Greetings!  I've been on a blogging hiatus for a few months, so I have a lot to catch up on!  Our family's schedule has changed quite a bit since Micah started his vicarage in August.  Hopefully I'll get a post done in the next few weeks with more details on that!  In the mean time, here's a bit of what we've been up to this fall.
 

In honor of the tenth anniversary of 9/11, a flag project was created in nearby Forest Park.  There were 3,000 flags on Art Hill, each one bearing the name and picture of someone who was lost that day.  It was very powerful and moving.
 

 September brings my favorite evening in St. Louis: the Balloon Glow!  Prior to a hot air balloon race the next day, all of the balloon pilots fire up their burners to the delight of everyone in the huge crowd.  We pack a picnic and grab some friends and head out for an always memorable evening.

 In October, we attended the Fall Festival at the Saxon Lutheran Memorial in Frohna, MO.  It's a day of old-fashioned fun.  The seven boys we had with us, and the one girl, all had a great time.  Here are all seven boys lined up in an old barn very patiently waiting for their turn on the rope swing. 

 We had the opportunity to attend the Missouri District Pastor's Conference at Lake of the Ozarks in mid-October.  It was a wonderful trip.  We rented a speed boat for a quick tour around the lake, went on a cave tour where we got to use the sluice to hunt for gemstones, and just enjoyed the scenery. 

 The kids and I took advantage of a warm November day to make our first visit to Powder Valley Nature Center.  They have several hiking trails and a cool nature center.  The kids especially enjoyed climbing on the giant frog.

 We get to visit historic Old Main St. in St. Charles regularly, since our vicarage church is just a few blocks away.  They have a really fun Christmas festival every weekend in December.  We've been there twice already, and probably will be back again before the end of the month.

Micah has been busy being part of the cast for the Boar's Head Festival at church.  It's a beautiful show that tells the story of Christ's birth through Victorian music and characters.  That's what's left of Boris the Boar on the table behind the kids.

We pray that you and your families will experience the joy of Christ's birth surrounded by friends and loved ones this season.  Blessings to you and yours!