Autumn Catchup, and Visit from Kate and Her Girls

We have a few fun pics to share, and then the chronicle of Kate's most recent visit. We had such a good time with Kate, Mercedes and Evangeline. Enjoy.

 We have been blessed with some late summer and early fall rains, and the flowers that survived our Texas summer think it's another spring season.

 I admit that Wes has done most of the gardening, but I sure enjoy having the tall zinnias for fresh cut flower arrangements.

Like the song, these are a few of my favorite things.

And my goofy, bird-crazy hubby, thinking he might lure a hummingbird in for a kiss! 

He didn't have any takers!

 Kate and her girls blew in for an 'unscheduled' visit, just like a Kansas tornado. It was a welcome storm at our house! Evangeline is 'reading' to us from the Bible.

 Heart melt!

Love me some granddaughter time!

 One of our first stops was Dahlia Cafe. Kate claims their Philly cheese steak is the best anywhere!

 We get special treatment from all the staff at Dahlia, but especially special from our very special friend, Karen Vague.

This one goes down as the definition of childhood delight.

 Kate and I headed out on a Saturday morning shopping spree, knowing the girls were in good hands with Papa Wes taking them on a nature adventure.

How could we tell they would be o.k.? Just check out Evie's posture, ready for a road nap!

Train up a child; that does include doing the dishes, right?!

 Some of Wes's family was getting together at the Old Pecan Street Cafe. Wes's mom's cousin Janice write's children's history books that are illustrated by her architect husband Tom Shefelman. They are on the right. Then Wes's brother David and his wife Bridgette, Wes's mom Sylvia, and Kate and her girls.

 Mawmaw Sylvia really enjoyed seeing her granddaughter Kate and two of her 13 great-grands.

Mercedes engrossed in Tom's journal of sketches and accounts of his travels and projects.

My grands in their aprons sweeping the porch. Looks like Evie is more interested in using the broom as a weapon!

We finally had a cool evening so we could inaugurate the fire pit Wes built for my birthday.

Nice to have the girls there so we would have an excuse for S'mores.

Loved having Kate and the girls for a visit.

Kate pulled out the old sewing machine the last night of their visit and whipped these dresses out for their trip to a worship conference in North Carolina. She's a crafty mama!