HALLOWEEN

Hoping everyone had a fantastic halloween.
Ours was simple and perfect and just what we needed after the previous week of sickness.  We loved spending time as a whole family.  Plus we are still "crying it out" getting a little better everyday... except that this morning he woke up at 5 and Daniel just decided to get up with him for the day.  YUCK.
Unfortunately this post is going to be long and full of pictures.... I just can't ever take enough.

We have loved all of the colors this fall and the beautiful weather.  We seriously spent as much time outside as possible soaking up every ounce of warmth.  We took a little walk collected leaves and found some great little cabins.  LOVING living so close to such beautiful places.

We started off all of our official festivities with the pumpkin walk.  I love THomas in most of these pictures.  He looks so happy to be there!

Friday night before Halloween we had a neighborhood trunk or treat.  Daniel painted Spidermans face and it looked awesome.  Thomas was scared of all cowboys... especially one on stilts.  Lewis was a cute little guitar and held on tight to a few pieces of candies and was content with that.  So sweet.

Sunday we had our annual harvest fest dinner.  Oh the menu salmon, asparagus, sweet potatoes, and homemade rolls.  Then carved our pumpkin.  This year a cat.  I did the carving for probably the first time in my life (without my dad finishing).  It was a proud moment.

And last but not least the actual holiday.  On Halloween night we went trick or treating around our apartment complex and to a small neighborhood of homes nearby.  Thomas loved knocking on the doors and by the end wouldn't let me come up to the doors with him.  Lewis hung out in the stroller and decided to be a fire chief.  Rented a spooky/lame movie and handed out candy to all of the trick or treaters, while checking out the goods.  So perfect for our small little family.

its my party and i'll cry if i want to

It is 1:31 AM Saturday Morning (friday night)

Still haven't gone to bed even though I have been in bed since 10.

WHY? you might ask after a long week of the stomach flu and a fabulous night trunk or treating with the darlings?

Because we are letting the youngest darling CRY in out.  UNFORTUNATELY.

We are going on hour 3 and he isn't seeming to let up.  2 hours and 44 minutes to be exact.  Cruel punishment on my part as parent?  SURE looks like it.  Pretty sure the upstairs neighbors hate us at this point.  As for Thomas he is 4 feet away in the same bedroom and still knocked out cold.

But,  I have got to get him sleeping through the night.  Cruel punishment on his part as a darling, by waking up to eat (snack) 3 times a night up to this point.  I AM DONE I TELL YOU.  He is 15 months and I AM DONE.  I am afraid this is the only way I know how at this point.

feelings on crying it out...
pure torture for the parents.
pure torture by the sounds of it, for the little darling.
if you do it when they are young you feel so sad and sympathetic for the little one.
if you wait until they are older you don't.... but they are stubborn and I am afraid it takes much longer.
it must work....because the little darling finally drifted off to sleep without a "snack" MIRACLES do happen I tell ya!

*Just realized that 1:30 really isn't all that late.  I used to stay up this late every night.  That is a true sign that I am getting old.  peace out I am off to get my beauty sleep.

PiCS that describe our day

On a day like today.....
We are eating jerky.
We are going to story time.
We took a lot of silly pictures with photo booth.
It is cold outside. So it begins.
We are going to eat a roast and potatoes for dinner.  At least I have that planned.
We have played with swords and lincoln logs.
We are embracing fall/winter in all of its glory.  Needless to say we are all feeling a little like this....

falling into fall

Our FUN IN THE SUN days have come... and gone.

no more lazy days by the water.
early morning walks.
or fun nights at the fair.  the food.  the rides.  the "mixing" music as Thomas says.

Now we are BUSY.....

going to football games and homecoming parades.
welcoming JAMES home from ARGENTINA.
playing indoors with dad.
dressing up for halloween.
wearing sweaters.
(among school and work and life.  Oh plus there was a birthday in there somewhere)

ONE QUESTION

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY?

MINE: holding my sons for the first time.

the love that I felt was overwhelming.

i don't ever want to forget it.