Hey everybody, hope you all had a decent Monday. I’m glad it’s over with because Mondays are a rough day for me. We finally got some much needed rain today so that was nice. I got to watch “Desperate Housewives” last night even though Austin wasn’t in bed yet. He seems to be able to stay up later here lately, at least until closer to 9:00. I sometimes let him stay up because otherwise he is up at 6:00 A.M. for good and I don’t want him up that soon even on a work/school day. Anyways the episode was good and as always, over too quick. Sunday during the day we went to Centralia and had a picnic lunch with my mom and dad at Foundation Park. We had fried chicken, slaw, deviled eggs(my mom makes the BEST),potato wedges, hot rolls and finally cupcakes for dessert. It was delicious ! After we ate lunch, we went hiking on a few trails before heading back to their house for a while. Austin didn’t take a nap ALL DAY which I am thinking he has NEVER done before. He was really tired all afternoon but he didn’t want to miss any action of course. On Saturday, Mike, Austin, and I went to Verizon in Shiloh and I got a new pink Motorazr phone for 59.99 with an additional 50.00 rebate. So my new phone was only 13.00 and that’s tax and all !! I am really excited about that. My old phone was not keeping a charge too long and my contract was up anyway so the timing was perfect. The guy who helped us was really nice so I am sure we will be going back there when it’s time for Mike to upgrade. Austin wanted a phone too but we said no. LOL !! Then we went to walk around the mall and I found Austin a pair of school shoes at Payless that were marked 12.99 but they rang up for only 8.00 at the register so we lucked out again ! When we went to eat supper at Ponderosa, the sign said ages 5-12 are 5.99 and ages under 5 are 3.99. We figured we would have to pay 3.99 and Austin would probably eat like a bird but the girl said he was no charge because he wasn’t even 2 yet. People probably think we are lying when we say that because he is SO TALL ! We lucked out again by him eating free there. All in all it was a really good day. We went to Wal-Mart and found some more things for Austin for Christmas or his Birthday-whenever we decide to give it to him. I remember when I used to have so much fun picking out new clothes and “toys” for myself but now it is even more fun to get them for him. His new things he is saying now is “Pumpkin” and “Water cold” and “Water hot”. He can say just about anything he wants to at this point. He is gonna be Superman for Halloween and his costume is too cute !!! He tried it on the other night and he was pretending to fly around the house ! He loves costumes and pretending. He is always parading around the house in the frog towel that Aunt Pam got him this past Easter. Speaking of parades, we are planning to go to the big Centralia Halloween Parade on Saturday October 27th this year. When I was little we went every year so I want to start that tradition with Austin. We are going with Nana and Papa Stowers and I am sure we will have fun. Well I will try to write some more later but now the news is coming on so I am gonna go catch that. That’s it for now ;)
Love,
~Eleshia

Click on photos for better viewing
Photos of our hiking trip through Foundation Park at Centralia:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjkelk28/sets/72157602425665353/detail/

Photos of Austin's Halloween costume:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjkelk28/1479280377/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjkelk28/1479276157/

Photo of our Fall decor located on our back patio:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjkelk28/1520527564/

Photos of Austin goofing around in his frog bath towel:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjkelk28/1479254841/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjkelk28/1479254585/

Photos of Austin and Eleshia before going to church:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjkelk28/1519685539/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjkelk28/1520545114/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjkelk28/1519676529/

Now for you bug lovers, here are a few photos of some insects eating sap from a tree:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjkelk28/1573008325/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjkelk28/1573896602/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjkelk28/1573900976/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjkelk28/1573902344/

And for the finally, Mike’s recent train hunting trip to Centralia:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/trnbuf/