Leaves + Endorphins!

We've had some fall fun in the backyard.

The playset is some vehicle and Lily is the driver.

The passenger is quite handsome.

 Now down the slide.

 Lily doing a dance for Peter at the bottom.

 Daddy raked a pile for them to slide into :)

Getting a pile on her head and loving every minute of it.

Other fun happenings from this weekend:
Our friend and neighbor, Sara, completed the marathon two years post-chemo.  What an accomplishment!!  I am so impressed with her.  We went and cheered her on at 3 spots.  It was a gorgeous day and so fun to be out and see all of those runners!

 Saturday night we had some humor therapy with our 3rd annual murder mystery dinner with our old dear small group friends.  It was a western themed party.  Mike was the bar's karaoke leader.   We had so.much.fun. together and with friends!!

Dreams Unrealized

Craigslisted for $65.  

I'm trying not to cry. 

Perish every fond ambition.

Yet how rich is my condition.

Team Work

I've been impressed this week with my kids' growing abilities to do things that are helpful.  

And you always have to make note of that.

Pizza Night in front of a Movie

They carried the little chairs in and then

Peter carried their little table from the dining room.

#urbannaoysterfest... haha

Its been a sobering week as my dear sisterfriend's dad went home this week to be with Jesus.  Such a mix of sorrow and joy at the gift of a wonderful dad who knows Jesus 

but now days to be without him.  We are hugging each other tight over here & praying for you, Joy.  We love you.

Last weekend we gathered at the river house for Holly's birthday.  Her request was the Urbanna Oyster Festival.  I can't believe we haven't gone before this year.  It was a beautiful fall day/weekend and just fun to be together.  I thoroughly enjoyed the time with Holly and my Dad (& everyone & being at the river!).  They are hilarious together.  There was lots of laughing til we cried.  Good for the soul.

These two... are precious.

 We went around lunchtime so Peter needed to get his nap in.  :)

Lily was able to escape being Peter's pillow.

 Lily got her first taste of soda.

 And another please.

 We all had oyster fritter sandwiches and then headed over for the parade. 

Lily's legs just get me.  They are so sweet and cute.

 Peter continued on with his nap.

 We did wake him up to see all of the cars, motorcycles, etc in the parade.

The spectators...

 Then time seeing all of the festivities & eating kettle korn.  :)

 Orange cake for the birthday girl.  Isn't she pretty!

More of Paw's silliness 

Such a fun weekend!

Fresh Air

In their usual generous style, my parents hosted a fall gathering at their house last weekend (many, many more folks than this pic shows).  We were nervous heading down before Hurricane Sandy.  But the rain held off, without a drop til we got back home Sunday eve.  We had an awesome bonfire, hayride, and then campout.  Mike had decided to camp with Peter since the temperatures would be perfect (before we knew about Sandy).  Lily had to join in and they twisted my arm too.  It was a gorgeous night... full moon & overcast so the sky was bright.  The wind was picking up so the sound of it in the trees was so soothing, refreshing, and cleansing.  I only stayed a few hours and then the hard ground got the best of me.  But they all made it til morning.

 tent-take-down the next morning

Cuteness

I welcome the days that I can let go enough to embrace CUTE outfits and backwards shoes 

(they are often rare and my expectations are too high.  I'm wound a little too tight but lacking motivation at the same time b/c I feel defeated in having to re-do it all in 8 minutes)

Who would know they'll be only one year apart in school (but 3 clothes sizes)?

Its a little bittersweet that this is their last year together all day (I can hardly type it).

God, help me to love them more and think of them more than myself.

Halloween 2012

We had a Peter Pan and Princess Tiger Lily this year.

Sitting next to their kitty and puppy pumpkins.

(Notice Lily's bag, anyone?  I cleaned out a closet this week and found it... it was Big Lil's bag.  And Peter is carrying a bucket he got from Holly when he was born.)

 We went to our second annual neighborhood parade....

 ... with our two dalmatian friends :)

 Then we all had fun trick or treating together.

And there's WAY too much candy in the house!!