Even though we were away from family, we were adopted for Thanksgiving by some friends from church. Charissa made an amazing feast for nine people and we had a lot of fun. We have a lot to be thankful for even though some things that are easy to cling to in the world are failing: Shinobi is healing up well, I can see thanks to my free Lasik surgery, we were good little stewards and saved so we don't have to panic that I am getting laid-off at the end of January, we live in a country where we are not persecuted for being Christians, we have good health, good friends, and good family, and we know our hope is in heaven.

Shinobi had knee surgery because he had a luxating patella. When he would run and play his knee would get stuck and it got so bad that it would get stuck even if he was just standing around. Here he is with his cast on and his cast off. Yikes!

He is healing up well and is putting pressure on it now. Now we just have to get him to be good so it can heal. He's already trying to play and be a rascal. He is extra snuggly when he doesn't feel well though.

For our October Furry Friends visit, the dogs were supposed to wear costumes. Shinobi wore a pirate costume (but refused to wear the hat). There was a bumble bee, a cop, a devil, and lots of bandanas with pumpkins and bats on them.

Shinobi belongs to a club called Furry Friends. He visits elderly people one Saturday a month and cheers them up. He wears a special bandana that says he is a therapist. We are very proud of him.

We went back to Oregon in September to visit friends and family. We went to Sunriver, Portland, Corvallis, and Eugene all in a week's time. We got to meet some new additions to our group of friends while we were there. This is Moriah Grace at 6 weeks old. She is a very sweet little lady with tons of hair. Her mom and dad are very proud.Toby is almost 10 months old. He likes playing with dirt. Shinobi also likes playing with dirt. They are pretty good friends.