Conner is a tween???

Happy Halloween/Conner's b-day!  Can't believe this young fella is eleven years old.  But he is definitely growing up and fitting in to his oldest-sibling role as super reliable, trustworthy and flexible.

Conner spent the first half of his b-day with Carson and Daddy at scout camp.  He got to fish from a canoe and do lots of other cool scouting stuff.  He is a Weblos II, which means boy scouts next year! 

The week after his b-day, he was chosen as one of six St. John's students that best represented the virtue of "charity." Way to go, kiddo!

Remember the baby snapping turtle Carson found in New York?  The boys found another one in Angel Falls, which is the wooded area behind Grandma's house.  Click on the picture to get a closer look.

And here they are at the falls, looking for more turtles.  And fish.  And fossils.  And gold nuggets.

A week after our cross country endeavers were thwarted by a deer on the highway, we braved intense fog to do another race in Kansas City.  Carson enjoyed the cross country season, and finished in the top ten of this race, despite the limited visibility.

Sadly, Carson contracted hand, foot and mouth disease the day before Halloween.  We all felt bad for him, lying on the couch during trick or treating.  Thneed felt so bad that she cuddled up with him!

Meanwhile, Conner got to go out into the neighborhood with his "mounted fish costume." It was a big hit, and had several neighbors claiming him as the winner of best costume.  On command, he would sing, "give me back that filet-o-fish...give me that fish...oooo!"

When people heard that younger bro was in bed sick, they all offered extra candy to Conner to share.  And true to form, Conner dumped his candy out and divided it.  That got a smile out of our sick little boy.

This is also the time of year we go visit our Kras Connection, the Parracks, for their annual bonfire.  Even though Carson was sick (didn't yet know the diagnosis), we camped on their rural property and had a wonderful time.  It has been a memorable fall season!