Thankful

In the spirit of Thanksgiving - I am reminded of my many blessings.  My family tops the list.  Below are a few pictures from this past week.

Morning coffee and snuggles.  Two of my favorite things.

Henry's spot on the patio.

30 days of gifts for my 30th birthday.  My parents are the most thoughtful people I know.  

My dad illustrated my packages.

Bunk beds arrive from Culver!  My dad drove them back to Richmond so Berkley could sleep in his childhood bed.  It doesn't get much sweeter than that.

11 months

Nancy Elizabeth is 11 months today.  I can't believe she is nearly one.  Each day with her is a gift.  She lights up our world.  Nan is funny (instigating peek a boo), adventurous (she will climb the stairs all the way to the playroom), cuddly, content, and lovely.  I could go on.  I love you  sweet girl of mine.

Playing in the bath with Berkley.  We dyed the water yellow.

Trick or Treat!

Pictures before our trick or treating adventures.

Traditions

This year we didn't make it to the pumpkin patch.  We didn't carve pumpkins.  And we didn't even purchase any.  For a moment, I felt like a bad mom.  Carving pumpkins has been a tradition in this house.  Brandon and I carve pumpkins and roast the seeds.  Brandon carves something artistic and uses special tools to create delicate faces or spooky creatures.  I carve the most basic jack o' lantern you can imagine.  Every year he pronounces that I am the winner of our carving contest.  We both know he is, but we celebrate my victory with gimlets.  It is fun.  We just didn't get to it this year.  He was traveling.  We have been sick.  There was Sandy.  But then I don't need to justify myself... or do I?  I've realized it is all changing.  Traditions change.  Things that were important last year aren't as important this year.  And as we grow and our children do too... we adapt and create new traditions.  Ones that fit us now.  That is exciting.  At least to me.

FPP Annual Halloween Parade!

Fall Play

Playroom pretend

Gingersnaps

Girl friends

Daddy and Berks making pumpkin bread in anticipation of Sandy

Cleaning gutters

Final walk before Hurricane Sandy

Indoor smores

Weekend Bliss

Daddy came home in time for the weekend.  So nice to be a family of four again.  We ate pizza margarita at the farmers market, made a fire in the pit outside, and walked by the river.

Berkley is growing up and reminds me so much of myself.  Every morning he asks, "what we do today mama?"  He needs to know.  His world is somehow easier if he can predict it or find a rhythm in the craziness.  He has questions too.  Like, "how birds eat?"  or "where bats live?"  She is such a special little boy.  This morning for picture day, we went through three changes of clothes until he found the perfect 'fancy ' shirt.

Nan is climbing.  Climbing stairs.  Climbing on anything to stand.  The girl wants to walk run with her brother.  They are a fun loud duo.  I adore them.  And I adore hearing Nan laugh.  If you kiss the part of her neck right under her chin... she will laugh and laugh.

This morning at preschool drop off.... "Mama, don't let sissy cry when I leave.  She will miss me."  And you know what? She will.

Beautiful girls

Can you find the baby?

Trying to get a Christmas photo.  Lighting wasn't right.  Our poor attempts.

Sweet smiles.