Savannah had a rough week. She started feeling ill last week and it continued into this week. She missed almost half of the week! It was her last week of Cross Country, too, so she was really sad. We also felt chagrined that the timing of her sickness was so unfortunate. But, what can you do? The kids actually only had three days of school last week, so by the weekend, Savannah was feeling better. Yea! She will have to be a cross country star next year.

The weather this week was glorious! Look at that fall color right outside my front door!


Since the kids didn't have school and the weather was so nice, they did a lot of playing at the leaf hotel across the street. Actually, this week, it got changed to a magical school for girls. This is a picture of some of them across the street at their favorite autumn haunt. I have such patient neighbors!

Here is Sarah giving a tour if you are interested:

On Friday, we decided to go to the zoo! "This is the place" where we had lunch (heh, heh):

Here's everybody in front of the giraffes! When I went to buy tickets, I said, "One adult and six children," and the ticket lady said, "One adult and SIX children??!?" I counted back really quickly in my head, "Uh, yeah?" I replied a little less confidently. "Wow!" said the ticket gal, "You are one brave lady!" Funny, huh? As if they're tough to take to the zoo! The older ones take care of the younger ones. Mariah took pictures. I hardly had to do anything! It was great.

Cali and Cheyenne were so excited to see the zebras!

Even Beth found a friend!

By the time we made it to the gorillas (which are pretty much last), we'd been at the zoo a little over an hour and a half. The girls were saying, "When are we going back to the car?? My feet are going to fall off!" Whimps, huh? I told them it was a good thing Hogle Zoo is so small, they'd never make it in San Diego!

Friday night, Kevin's dad came and went out to eat with us and stayed the night. It was great fun to have a visit from Grandpa Skinner!