Cochranes visit from Mali

Steve getting introduced to Jessie


Becky... don't ask.


The boys on a tractor ride to the pumpkin patch


The whole family, plus a little extra!

Weekend views in Virginia

An approaching storm rolls over the mountains


The fall colors out our front door


Jessica watching UFOs flying over her crib


Jessie looking proud of herself

Jordan the artist

A few months ago Jordan changed his career choice -- "I've decided I don't want to be a rocket scientist anymore when I grow up. I want to be an artist." Here's today's demonstration of his artistic talent!

Cuter by the day

pumpkin carving..;'[][/,';'[=]

A few sleeping Jessie pics

Canadian Honored by Being Selected to Represent Virginia Republicans

I received this today, addressed to my mother:

Dear Ms. M. Hekman,

You have been selected to represent Republican voters in Virginia...

Your registered Census is one of a select few being mailed into Virginia's 10th Congressional District...

Because of your high level of political involvement and steadfast commitment to the Republican Party, your personal input on the questions presented in your Census Document is critical to our Party's future...

Ironically, my mother lives in Canada and has never had an address in Virginia. I can only guess that Amazon or one of the one or two other companies she has purchased items from and had shipped to my address sold her information to the Republican party.

A few more recent pics

Miscellaneous activities

Little Joey Run

Proverbs 26:3

All Jessie, all the time...

Jessie slept all the way in till 6:45am today, from about 8pm last night! Way to go, girl!

Here's her approximate routine these days (though it keeps evolving):
5:00am up for a bottle with Daddy
5:30-8:00am sleep
8:00-10:00am gurgle and smile at Mommy
10:00-12:00am morning nap
12:00-2:00pm gurgle and smile at Mommy
2:00-3:00pm early afternoon nap
3:00-4:30pm gurgle and smile at Mommy and Jordan
4:30-5:00pm late afternoon cat nap
5:00-8:00pm gurgle and smile at Mommy, Jordan and Daddy, but also complain about nasty stomach cramps which are eased by lots of holding
8:00-5:30am sleep

Jordans art games

Get a magnifying glass and find three flags.


Find out how many tiles there are put the answer under coments.

Sunday afternoon at the barn

Corners with color

Here are a few corners Claudia has livened up with fall colors this month.

Saturday morning

The Purcellville town-wide "Tag Sale" is an annual garage sale event the whole town turns out for. We had fun strolling and looking, despite the suddenly chilly weather, although we didn't find too much with the "garage sale prices" we were shopping for.


Jordan and Aunt Debby at the library book sale.


Back home, Claudia cooked up some delicious snacks... for the birds!

Saturday evening

At the Back Street Cafe, in Middleburg, VA

Random photos

Jordan and I, showing how tall one of our seedlings grew this summer. We have two types of trees that got this high already, starting as twigs about 6" tall. We're not sure what they are, but were told when we ordered them from the Audubon Society that they were flowering trees. We'll find out one of these springs what we got!


Claudia and Jordan


Bedtime story by Aunt Debby, this evening.

All Jessica, all the time...

All Jessie, all the time... take 2

All Jessie, all the time...

Enough! After three months of constant pressure from the public, I've finally decided it's no use fighting the issue any more. I will post four pictures of Jessie every day until I run out (four is the most Picasa allows me to blog with a single click). Thankfully Picasa 3.5 has a new feature which identifies faces in photos, and let's you filter by specific faces, making it easier to catalog my 140 photo (and growing) collection of Jessie pics.

Bear's Den hike

Country wedding

A couple weeks ago we attended this wedding of good friends of ours. Luke should like this part -- the reception was held in the bride's family's CoverAll. The wedding (at what we call "Cockerill's Creek") and reception were all beautifully done. Click on the picture to see the full size photo, and then look closely at the chandeliers -- they're actually wagon wheels with champagne glasses hanging from them. When it came time for the toast, they were lowered and everyone got to pick a champagne glass. The bride and groom rode off into the sunset on a tractor. And Jessie enjoyed all the sounds and lights safe in her Daddy's lap.

Evening walk

Jordan was at a friend's house after school, so Claudia went to pick him up on horseback, attracting the admiration of neighborhood girls on the way. I followed on foot with Jessie. I know everyone wants to see Jessie on the blog, but today you'll have to content yourself with her shadow.

Family feeding time