Happy Halloween!

 

Halloween morning began with cinnamon roll mummies made by David for breakfast. 

In the late afternoon the girls and I carved pumpkins. It was such a gorgeous day and a perfect way to welcome Halloween night. 

Grace painted her adorable nails herself. It took her three hours but it was definitely time well spent! 

Once the pumpkins were finished, Emma got ready to go trick-or-treating with her friend Lucy.

 Emma's costume is inspired by a character in a game she plays. She knitted the giant hairbow. 

After dropping Emma off, I made dinner (turkey chili as per usual) and then Grace and I went over to the farm to check out their annual pumpkin display. We have had such an illness filled October that, sadly, Grace was not able to hekp carve pumpkins for it. It was such a beautiful night made even more magical by the gorgeous display! 

When we returned home, Grace and I enjoyed our turkey chili and watched Ptactical Magic. From start to finish this might have been one of the best Halloween's ever! xo 

About This Month

 This month was an unusal one for us, as it seemed that some combination of the girls and I were sick for the entirety of it. As a result we didn't do all the things on our "October to-do list" and other events or projects or activities (or dissertation writting) was put on hold or not able to take place all together. At the start of this month (given that it's our most fave) I had all intentions of posting in this space each day. Alas, our bodies had other plans. 

And so, in an attempt to share some of what we were able to experience or do as our bodies allowed here are some pictures from what actually happened in between/during illnesses. 

We added these sweet Halloween houses to our decorations. 

Picked up this gorgeous dahlia bouquet (from Broken Pot Farm) during a recent trip to the co-op market. 

October 16th was so chilly that I had the heater under my desk  on. Clover and Violet wasted no time finding a spot near the heat! 

On Saturday October 19th we had tickets to Phantoms by Firelight at Old Sturbridge Village, Grace was still so sick and  not feeling up to going (though she really wanted to) and Emma was worn out from a very busy day at the orchard. Not wanting all four tickets to go to waste Dave and I decided that we'd leave the girls home and go just us two! 

It was a rather chilly night, and I took very few pictures, but we did get to see the comet on our way there (and once we arrived) which was pretty magical too. 

Lucy invited Emma to come to the Keefe Tech Homecoming dance with her. Thankfully, Emma was feeling much, much better by then, but due to Grace and I being so sick we were not able to go dress shopping with her. Thankfully, David is such an awesome girl dad and didn't mind being the one to go with her at all! 

The day after HoCo, Emma took her drivers test that morning and then the four of us attended Morgan and Justin's wedding that evening. It was another gorgeous October day and easily one of the most beautiful ceremonies ever. 

Earlier this week was very chilly, but since the end of the week was destin to be much, much warmer we held off on turning on the heat. Instead we wore cozy sweaters/hoodies, snuggled under blankets and enjoyed warm milk, tea or hot chocolate.

It's hard to believe that October comes to an end tommorrow and that there's only a couple of months left of 2024. This year sure went by fast! Fingers crossed it ends on a very, very, very good note! xo 

The Final Rose of the Season

It was quite a surprise on Sunday to discover that a rose had bloomed! 

My constant battle with rose sawflies seems to be never ending. They have done such a number on the leaves and I cannot seem to find anything that works to deter them. xo
 

Dorothy and Glinda Go To Church

 

In which the girls dress up as Dorothy and Glinda for church (followd immediately by trunk-or-treat after). Violet filled hte role of Toto, though we left her home since it was so chilly you today! xo 

Mission Accomplished!

 

Early this morning we added another driver to the family! Emma passed her test with flying colors and our days of driving lessons are now over! Well done, Emma! We are so proud! Be safe out there, sweet girl! xo 

And So Begins Halloween Week at Dance

 

In which the elf and Nostalgia head to dance. And so begins Grace's "last first" Halloween week at the studio (and yes she crocheted her glasses chain). 

The seniors all dressed up as the characters from Inside Out 2. They totally slayed! xo 

Tonight

 

The Northern Lights paid us a visit tonight! The sky was simply magical and totally took me back to my childhood when they appeared in our backyard in Bethany. The colors and clarity of the stars and planets are something that will just never get old. Thank you Mother Nature for sending such beauty our way! xo

Welcome, October!

 

Picture taken in 2015 when Grace was nine and Emma was seven-and-a-half. One of my most favorites of them ever. xo