Lately

Okay, so as a recap of August, September and October ......

We went away, along with my parents to a cabin on Moyie Lake for a week. It was gorgeous and we relished in the lack of TV and cell reception. We were completely cut off and it was glorious! We swam, relaxed on the dock in the sunshine, went for walks, did plenty of puzzles and read to our hearts content. We played cards at night and went to bed at ridiculously early times since we were exhausted from the fresh air and kids! It was a week to remember, and was enjoyed by all.

September brought the start of school and Emma going to grade 2 and Sophia beginning KINDERGARTEN! How did that happen? Where did the last 5 yrs go??? Dropping her off was hard but the excitement in her eyes and the promise of all she would learn was enough to stem the tears.

Halloween was a big event in our home. Anyone who knows me knows I have a love-hate relationship with this holiday. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Autumn and its two major holidays. Thanksgiving is one of the things I look forward to most each year. There is something so homey and comforting about it, with its food and smells and warm cozy atmosphere. Halloween is the opposite of that - cold and dark, with crazy costumes to boot. That being said, I love helping my kids plan out their costumes and look forward to our annual pizza and movie session after we put the blood-sugar crashed children to bed. This year our clan did a Star Wars theme (a theme is usually involved in most things I do!), complete with Darth Vader, Princess Leia, Queen Amidala, The evil Emperor and the cutest little Yoda-ette you have ever seen. It was a gorgeous night, warm and calm and light on children since everyone was too afraid of H1N1 to let their kids trick or treat! Here is our crew right before heading out:

Now it is November and we are inching closer to Christmas and a new year. Time is slipping through my fingers and I feel like I need to grab the rope to hold on and slow it down just a bit. A few other pictures of recent days and then we move on ....