Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! I have so many wonderful pictures to share with you from all the fun-filled Halloween events we've been to but for today I will simply leave you with this one.  Regardless of if you are able to go trick-or-treating tonight or not we send many wishes your way for a magical Halloween day! 

Tuesday Morning. 7:40am.

What a storm!  Hurricane Sandy has come and gone.  No sooner did I post yesterday than our power went out.  We heard the transformer pop and that was that for roughly the next 26 hours.  I do have to say that we really had a fabulous time sans power.  Thankfully we are not a family that struggles to unplug.  Sure, we love to have light in the darkness, and we do love to check in with the world via Facebook, but it is lovely that we're able to unplug and take it for what it is too.

Dave and I were first up this morning thanks to the sound of a lone chainsaw in the early morning darkness.  They were working on the tree that had fallen at the end of our street, trying to make the road passable for the morning commute.  No such luck.  Traffic was blocked from that end of the street and rerouted a different way for the entire day (and the evening commute as well).  The girls were up next and there was much playing, laughing, snuggling and chatting before we went downstairs to see what destruction Sandy left in her path.  While Dave set up our outdoor kitchen, the girls walked around saying their good-byes to the fallen leaves, branches and trees.  "How will we fix them, Mama?"  "When will they come back?" were questions I spent the day fielding as we drove around town (and the neighboring towns too).  A library trip, complete with super heavy library bag, made the morning pass beautifully, lunch at Wegman's, a late afternoon play date with the neighbors and a lovely dinner with some of our dearest friends rounded out the day.  All in all, it was just another fabulously lovely Tuesday!

To those of you who experienced this storm too: we hope that you made it through safe and sound.  That you are finding light in the darkness to be lovely, and looking forward to having a completely normal day tomorrow.  To those of you still without power: we send many good vibes your way and hope that life is back to normal for you soon, too.  You will be in our thoughts and prayers.  

Storm Doins' In Instagram

We've hunkered down and are just beginning to see the true wrath of Hurricane Sandy.  A major branch in the backyard has sadly come down and we're sure that it won't be long before we loose power.  For those in Hurricane Sandy's path we pray that you stay safe and that the storm leaves little damage in it's wake for you.  We'll post when we can.  Stay safe, dear ones. 

Her Name

Yesterday while we were snacking on some very yummy cupcakes from Crumbs Bake Shop Emma took our her new blank book and crayons and proceeded to write her name for the very first time!  We were all  so proud!  In the time it took me to take the photo in Instagram she had added the extra A that you see at the end of her name, but I can assure you that it was correctly spelled when we all cheered for her! Good work, Em!  We are so very proud of you!

{This Moment} Preparing

{This Moment} - A SouleMama Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. We wish you a wonderful weekend!

Gathering Leaves

Yesterday we went out in search of leaves.  We collected lots of beautiful maple leaves and we collected some lovely evergreen needles too.  Once our buckets were full the leaves were sorted and then investigated with our super-cool ladybug magnifying glasses. 

After all our investigating we decided to press them between some wax paper sheets.

Such a sweet project and a lovely way to preserve a bit of this most gorgeous Autumn we are having!

Wordless Wednesday::The Fabulous Foursome

Forty Years, Three Kids and Two Granddaughters Later....

We gathered with my parents to celebrate their forty years of marriage this past weekend. It was a gorgeous October evening when we gathered and we started by presenting them with their gift in a very unique fashion. 

First up: the card. 

Confetti filled, of course. 

Then it was time for the gift.  We handed each of them a knife and told them that to get their gift they had to pop the balloons. Kaitlyn bravely volunteered to hold them for them.  

Pop! Only one more to go....

It's a gift certificate for glass blowing classes (something that has always fascinated them)!

I have a feeling they liked it.  :)

And afterward there was dinner, chatting by the fire pit, sparklers, and chocolate cake for dessert (and a Patriots win, too).  Seems like a good way to celebrate forty years and all that they have created.  Looking forward to seeing what the next decade has in store for them.  If nothing else, it's gonna take us the next ten years to figure out an even more fabulous gift and unique way to present it! 

Happy 40th Anniversary, Mom and Dad! May the next decade be your best yet!