31 October

Happy Halloween!

They were so much fun this year:)

30 October

Today.......Josh finished the Marine Corps Marathon in 3:38, a personal best, I mean a smashing personal best by at least 10 mins. (photos to come).

I so wish I wasn't in the middle of a power outage, dealing with snow and cold (inside and out) so I could fully focus in following the race, Oh well.

I did however, take out my "teach yourself to knit book" and some cheap free yarn I got and taught myself. I didn't know a thing about it before today. The repetitive nature of it is just so soothing, I can find myself really getting into this. It has been on my bucket list for years. I will have to rely on the knitting experts (I hope to see one on Thanksgiving!) for a few more pointers, however, if I hope to ever graduate to making more than a potholder with a few holes in it:)

29 October

It's snowing ! 19 Days ago it was 85 degrees. It's magical, it really is, the first snowfall (especially before Halloween). The kids were out making snow angels, having snowball fights and catching the giant flakes on their tongues until bedtime (and I know I won't be using the word magical to describe it come April:))

28 October

This morning we woke up to a microscopic dusting of snow. Ice covered the front steps and the winter coats, hats and mittens came out. More snow (inches this time!) is on the way for the weekend. Even though we know it's coming, it's just such a shock when winter gets here:) Josh and Kevin left on their plane for Washington DC to meet Jeff for the the Marine Corps marathon this weekend, we are wishing them all the best!

27 October

The scariest little guy at the preschool Halloween party.

26 October

We're getting crazy with our pumpkin designs. They are getting better (and more complex ) every year! Lucas: Scary ghost with a big mouth Bre: Lightning Mcqueen, Trevor: Gremlin. I love how they picked out their own designs. J is the pumpkin carving master, crazy good.

25 October

What's for dinner these fall days when it''s getting dark before 6? We're putting the grill to rest and having:

Shepard's pie

rotisserie chicken

Chicken Parm

homemade pizza

Pot Roast

Meatloaf

Fish sticks and alphabet Fries

Hunter's stew

Guiness Beef Stew

Chicken soup and biscuits

.....and for the picky eaters: 1 bite of everything plus Chocolate milk with a variety of fruit (hey there's always breakfast!)

24 October

These days.......

late afternoon activities are moving closer and closer to our cozy fire :)

23 October

Love this shot.

You at seven.......

Are in first grade

Are reading, everything and anything you can get your hands on.

Love Dance class and Dance Party: Favorite Songs are "Rock it" and "tonight, Tonight"

Love playing games, Cars trouble, football guys hide and seek and Memory are your favorites

Are going to Be lightning Mcqueen for Halloween

Love it when your teacher or anyone tells you, Nice Job"

Love movie night and will always ask for Cars or Mater's tall tales

Love Girl Scouts

Get hot lunch every day and eat just about everything (especially anything dipped in ketchup)

Best friends are Anna, Emily,Sam and Rory although you like and play with everyone

You say "hi" to everyone you see and call them by name if you know it

Say"goodnight Mom" every night and are sounding so much more grown up these days

Are constantly asking, What are you doing?" or "where are we going?"

Hate coming in from recess

Have homework every week

Like shopping, and clothes, and boots

Have two loose teeth on the bottom

Have a positive effect on everyone you meet

Love playing with the dog and your brothers

Are beautiful, sweet and have your own opinion about everything:)

22 October

We've been doing some house cleaning around here, getting ready for winter and holidays and tucking in our gardens and yard for the many cold months ahead. Kitchen cabinets one by one, toys, and closets. We've slowly been letting go of baby "stuff" aside from a few special boxes of things in storage. Here we are with our new big kid swing. I think we may need one more, although the girl rather enjoys pushing:)

21 October

Because when you are four all that matters about soccer is the trophy and the snacks after the games :)

If I had an iPhone......

I would totally be snagging myself one of these.

20 October

I can’t repay the lessons That you taught when I was small.

Or give you gift for gift The daily treasures I recall...

I can’t return encouragement And loving words of praise.

In quite the way you did for me Through all my childhood days.

But there is one gift that I can give, It’s all the love you’ve earned.

For love is what you always taught... And love is what I learned.

Happy 38th Anniversary Mom and Dad!!!

19 October

Loving.....

::The fact that you aren't ready to give up those shorts quite yet. "After Halloween" you say.

::Listening to the quiet at home that a Wednesday extended day preschool brings (9-1), and thinking a dreaming of all the "me" projects that this little block of time affords me (but missing them all at the same time).

18 October

Loving....

That this girl is so into everything sports right now, and that we are untertaking a major fall "cleanout" so as to rediscover just the few things the things that we love playing with over and over again (and get rid of the rest).

17 October

this is So sad, yet so inspiring all at the same time. We could learn so much from her.

And this.....oh my very inspiring also.

17 October

Loving.......little projects that are popping up all over the house totally unknown to the grownups before hand. :)

16 October

Fall Love (part 3).

Three kids +one rake+one leaf pile=hours of fun (I love that they are still not too old for it!)

Bre came downstairs herself this morning and said "get dressed myself" (which she does sometimes, but rarely). Then she said "Tom Brady, football!" She has her football shirt on and was all set to go. She must have known it was Sunday. Love that.

15 October

Today, This boy finished the last book of the Harry Potter series. He read all 7 books, every last word. Now he says he's on to the movies and reading Diary of a Whimpy kid and then some more of the Percy Jackson Series (Rick Riordan). We're so proud of him!

14 October

Fall Love (Part 2)

Lucas: Today at school I did really good at pumping my legs on the swing......I'm going to skip all the grades and go straight to college.

J: Which college?

Lucas: Third or Fourth grade college.

13 October

Fall Love.

true.

12 October

This Girl's future will include something working with animals (I'm sure of it!)

11 October

Saturday night we were at two emergency vets (long story) with our dog Lucy. She got a laceration on her side and needed some stitches. Here she is with the cone (which she loves) , but she is feeling much better.

10-10-11

Today.......was just right for the 10th anniversary of my 27th birthday:)

I woke to hugs and kisses and cards

Bre pedaled her bike alone almost all the way around the circle.

Lucas perfected pumping his legs on the swing.

It was warm and summery!

We visited the corn maze and pumpkin patch

We ended the evening downtown at our very favorite pizza spot and we finished every drop (including 5 spoons for a divine hot fudge brownie sundae). I'll never forget how Bre said, "cheers!" and how wonderful it was watching the huge cruise ship leave port as we listened to the live soft acoustic guitar music by the fire.

Best Day Ever.

10 October

We played soccer all weekend at the Columbus day tournament. Apparently, painting our hair was "the thing" to do! To boys played great (and hard...it was 84 degrees!), it was a really fun weekend!

9 October

Gammie and Grampa gave Trevor the gift of time for his birthday back in August and this weekend they started the first phase of building their treehouse! Trevor learned all kinds of things like nailing, carrying boards, and how to place a board according to how it bends. I think it goes down as one on the top days of his life (besides his birthdays and when he caught his first fish).

8 October

Seven years ago, our lives were changed forever by a little girl who entered our lives, home and hearts. Little did we know that she would have to overcome so many challenges. Little did we know that she would smile her way through surgeries and many, many, hours of therapy. Little did we know how hard she would have to work to learn. Little did we know that she would be such an inspiration to her family, friends, teachers, classmates and anyone who knows her. You have come so far little girl, we are so blessed to have you in our lives. We love you, Bre, Bre! Happy Birthday!

7 October

Today.

Friday cozy. With Temps in the 50's the constant hum of the pellet stove blower was heard in our living room (and it will be for about the next seven months), as well as children's play being moved to right in front of it (just for moment, then play was moved back outside for a game of kickball-in shorts and a T-shirt!). It was a day to start thinking about the coming winter, to weed and rake out the garden, to FINALLY fully finish the deck and to prune back and weed out bushes as well as getting the last of the "new" (50% sale at the plant store!) trees and bushes planted. WE're looking forward to a weekend spent celebrating birthdays with family. I LOVE this time of year:)

6 October

Just another ordinary day waiting for the morning bus (sweatshirts needed!) and to go to preschool. Ordinary days are good.

Love.

Love, Love , Love this. I wonder where their dreams will take them......

5 October

:: Right Now ::

• Lucas was so excited about his first "extended day" of preschool and bringing his own lunch. He got to pick everything out for his lunch last night. He's just so excited to be "big" and to schedule playdates with all his "girl" friends.
• I'm having a little more time to pull some scrapbooking projects together that I haven't worked on in years. Pulling out all those old photos (from 2002-2008) makes me really miss those times, the baby and preschool days when I could just wrap my arms around them all at any moments notice. I miss it so much so I ache.
• Getting ready for a big 7th birthday party this weekend, wrapping, planning and helping little fingers make their "cards"
• the weather today, colder and windy, finally feeling "Octoberish"
• a hot cup of Chai tea, fall flowers and falling leaves
• preschool crafts and pumpkin bread baking in the oven (the smells are divine!)

4 October

Just because I Love this picture (blurry and all) and that Bre was going around asking for "High Fives....."

3 October

Even though the weekend was rainy......it was so nice to spend an afternoon at home... No where to go, nothing to do (but watch football!). I don't know how long it has been since we have done this. It was so refreshing.

2 October

Today....

A long 26.2 mile run in the pouring rain. 1 Fall marathon down 2 to go....... go, Daddy Go!

1 October

Hello October.

Today was all about Soccer, soccer and more soccer. Three games in the rain (and it poured for two of them.), and picking up his bib for the Maine Marathon tomorrow. We were soaked and cold when we got home, so we fired up the pellet stove and cooked up a big pasta dinner. Weekends just aren't for chores anymore:)