Great Nieces!

Amelia Awesome. My niece Stephanie and her husband Erik's daughter. My sister Susie and brother-in-law Bob are two happy grands

If these little girlies are not the cutest ever! Sisters Morgan and Peyton my nephew Christopher and his wife Tammy's daughters.

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The Shovel from the OTO group

I have had this photo and I just remembered to post it. This is my Going Away Gift from Oto. Gareth, one of the oto crew who has since depated, was came to us via South Africa and was freaked out that we were moving to the "snow belt". Well after some talking, hashing, maneuvering, scheming, etc my dear friend Shelley Witt managed to get YOHO "branded" with the Logo. (No mean feat). Then after another huge effort the YOHO was shipped to us here in Geneseo, where it now has a place of honor in my office. Now do not tell facilities services, as I am most likely in violation of several rules, but there it is, on my office wall. THANK YOU ALL in Oto. The card and greetings were so sweet and I miss you all.

Published again !

http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/features/first_person/2008/10/16_spencer.shtml

Rich blue autumn sky infused with sunshine
Warm, dry air radiates into my being
Leaves of scarlet and golden yellow with green mixed in
Paint a tapestry as a dog barks off in the distance

An airplane’s engine reminds me of my childhood
Out west the Black Hills will tremble under a snowy blanket tonight
And part of me will pine away for a secret life there
That of a poet, alone and without an obligation whatsoever

But the song of Western New York pulls me back to my reality
One filled with family ties
Excitement and challenges abound
As I dream of PahaSapa

About the Author: It is beautiful here in the Genesee Valley of Western NY and I do love being a professor. I'll aways be a Black Hills girl, however.

Nathan is affeared.

Once we were up on that railroad tressel, Nathan looked down and from then on, he was in trouble. I forgot how bad his fear of heights can be! It was kind of a long way down.....

The Falls at Letchworth

See the railroad bridge? We climbed up to it and walked on it. Then we found out that was illegal. Whoops. Luckily the 20 or so people that were up there with us didn't get a citation.

More sights

Gee these men make it difficult to keep a straight face. Trevor's cool-man joe attitude just floors me. And he used to be such a sweet child.....

A day at Letchworth

Ohhhhh what a beautiful morning and ohhh what a beautiful day. The boys were less than thrilled, but that is life. I found the sights to be spectacular!

Stella and Rudy

A pretty autumn day, Stella had her nails done, and Rudy got trimmed. He looks like a whole different dog now!

Rudy...Post-you-know-what

Dahling, do you have a light?

The Mister ...intense at the net

This is that clay court and look at how pretty the suroundings are.

TENNIS, anyone?

Nathan found a wonderful group here in Geneseo. There are several families in this town where the anscesters still live on "estates". One man, whose alter-ego is named "Biff" actually built a clay court on his property and runs the Geneseo Volley Tennis club, of which the Spencers are now members. This is such a fun group. I played mixed-doubles last Saturday and had a blast. See my partner? He was a riot! Syd. He rode up on his bike, hopped off and kept us all laughing for the better part of an hour. Patricia and Shelley...guess what? Syd has read the STARBRIDGE series! The only person in the WORLD I have ever found who has read them without coersion from myself. Hmmmm. Geneseo is quite a place. Turns out Syd is one of the "estate" folks, and he is a democrat (I think his grandfater or someone was Senator Symington). No wonder we played well together!

Rockers

After soccer, a bit of ROCK BAND! Connor's birthday present was a "hit!"

Trevor kicks!

I love this shot because: 1. My handsome son is in it 2. He is actually kicking the ball 3. See the Genesee Valley in the distance? When I am homesick for my Black Hills I can pretend that this is the view right outside of Mom's place on Sheridan Lake drive.

Trev had a "physical" week. He now has a black eye and is recovering from a high ankle sprain. No soccer for YOU Trev until you can first WALK again. He is actually doing a bit better.

Where is this boy from?

Connor dons his new uniform! At the end of the week the BLUE DEVILS have won 2 and lost 1. Connor has taken several to the stomach (about right where that soccer ball is on his shirt) this week but he is holding firm.

September Sad Song

The leaves of September begin their journey into the flaming reds, the pumpkin oranges and the amber hues of sunny days gone. This September the transition hurts like never before, symbolizing the beginning of the end of a season that began with excitement, hope and no certain knowledge of the end of my mother’s life. I have an urge to run up to those leaves and yell “Halt!” Perhaps if they do not change and do not fall away, dry and crackling, the supple textures will linger for just a few more months and I will not have to face the permanency of the loss. Perhaps I can pretend that I can run back to my Black Hills and she will be there as always, with her arms open and her gentle wit as sharp as ever, ready for a new day.

And they're ny cousins!

One of the BEST things about moving to western New York. Some of my three most favorite and beautiful ladies EVER are right around the corner! Jackie, Mary and Kathy. I LOVE these three and guess what? I get to see them now whenever I want.

FLASH Dancers

This one says it all. ABBA! Unbridled enthusiasm from Dale and Neil.
The one below this is my cousin JR who really let it go as well. He was so funny. JR would make the funniest faces, do the moves, then as quick as that, he'd be done and exit the dance floor. Needless to say with all these three engaging men, the ladies were begging for more!

Even More

More Wedding Pictures

Wedding and Dance

Neil and Ginny Nathan bonds with my cousin Rich

My Godparents, Judy and Jack and my Uncle Neil
Trying to keep up with Dale

A really cool thing about being here is that we are close to family. I have been missing my mother so very much and there are still times when I'll rush to the phone to tell her something and then I'll just burst into tears.That happend a bit this last weekend when we went to the wedding of my cousin's son. My cousin Virginia or Ginny was named after my mother and her son Donny was married to Char his girl. Read this cute story of thier match. http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/437063.html We had such a wonderful time with all my mom's kin and it somehow seemed to bring her back and I do know she wold have loved this event. Picts will be forthcoming!