It's Kiki here and don't tell me I haven't written since Easter! Golly, Gosh, and Gooseberries that's a long time! Well, there is a lot going on around here now. We have been reorganizing our rooms and houses and doing all kinds of new things. It will take time to catch everyone up on the activities around here, but I'm going to do my bestest!!!
First I want to fill you in on what has been going on in the Montoya family. Josefina and her older sister, Esperanza, and younger sister, Adelita, have been getting ready for the annual Harvest Festival...
Esperanza: "¡Mira, Josefina! Look! Isn't my new dress lovely? And look at my hair. It took Mamá three hours to get it the way I wanted. I just know I will be the prettiest girl at the Harvest Festival. Don't you agree?"
Josefina said, "Claro. Of course," while she rolled her eyes with a smile. She knew that her big sister was always thinking about her looks, which Josefina found to be a bit silly.
Then Esperanza said, "Where is Adelita? I don't want to be late. Or, maybe it is more fashionable to make a grand entrance a bit late. But, by then everyone will be talking in groups and I won't know how to fit in. Oh dear! I think we should hurry and get there early so I can be sure and find my friends right away. Josefina just shook her head and went to find their little sister.
Josefina found Adelita outside practicing her weaving. She loved to do anything artistic and was already showing promise as a weaver. "Adelita! You don't have shoes on and it's time to leave."
Adelita replied, "Okay, I'm coming. I wish I could finish this blanket, but I'll hurry and get my shoes. I know there will be lots of yummy treats at the festival.
It was a beautiful and warm afternoon for the fiesta. On the way there they girls saw farmers bringing in the hay bales for winter and one was constructing a shelter to keep the hay dry when it snows. They were glad to be early to the fiesta and saw some scary sights there.
One of the best parts of the day was the hayride. The hay wagon is pulled by horses in the Montoyas time, but today it was pulled by a tractor. The kids and adults climb aboard and sing songs as the wagon goes through the fields of pumpkins and corn. There were still other vegetables growing, too: eggplant and tomatoes and the scent of herbs filled the air.
The girls had apple cider and candy apples and roasted corn to eat. Josefina found the perfect pumpkin to bring home. "This will make lots of pies!" she exclaimed.
When it was finally time to go the tired sisters posed for one last photo to remember their wonderful day.
Meanwhile, at the rancho, Josefina is preparing to celebrate El Día de Los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. Most of this food is for the ancestors, but the kids get to eat calaveras de azucar, or sugar skulls! 
