HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Hope everyone had happy trick or treats.  We have all had lots of treats today.  Will just went to bed shy of 11:00pm, probably something to do with his candy dinner.  It was such a perfectly crispy and sunshiny Fall day, and we had so much fun! 

Clara=Pocahontas

Sam=Skeleton

Will=2 year old in black shirt & pants (opted out of a costume)

Apparently I took a lot of photos.  Here are just some of them...

THE YAYA SPECIAL

The "YaYa Special" is when my mom can't help herself and cuts my boy's hair when they are in her care.  Sure enough, we came home to some shortened bangs and some children who were sort of happy to see me, but more interested in whether or not I brought back some gifts.  By all accounts, they had a great time with their various caregivers.  Thank you again everyone for treasuring our treasures!

Will, before our trip, and before his YaYa Special:

#5, #10, #23

Jake and I went away this past weekend to visit our good friends (and their 4 boys) in Halfmoon Bay, California.  We even left our kids at home!  

Some of my highlights, besides being alone with my husband for 3 nights:

• Watching a movie on the airplane
• Being dropped of at Stanford Mall...just me and the mall and my baguette in the courtyard
• In & Out burger

• A visit to my favourite store

• Buying Clara an outfit at Crewcuts

• Reading magazines and writing in my journal on the beach

• Walking to the beach, running along the beach, playing on the beach and drinking at the beach

• 3 amazing dinners that lasted more than 10 minutes
• Laying in bed uninterrupted until 9:00am
• Buying 2 bras that do amazing things to my breasts
• An unexpected night at the Ritz

Thank you Josh and Gretch for everything.  We had such an amazing time.  I miss you guys!  See you in Palm Springs?

Jake...I'm already looking forward to our next weekend away.  I love being your wife.  I love you!

(more pictures tomorrow)

A NEW WORD

Dear William, today you added a new word to your vocabulary of 2.  You said "quack, quack" while pointing at a squirrel outside.  I wasn't sure if I should correct you or not, or just be excited and praise you for your attempt (at this point we will take anything), but then I wondered, what does a squirrel say anyway?

I love you Will, even though you kicked me in the face today while changing your diaper.

XO Mommy.

#20

20. Take Sheye Rosemeyer's Eye Candy Photography Workshop (from my list of 35 things to do before I turn 36)

A couple of weeks ago I started Sheye's Evolve workshop.  This means that in the evenings (when I would normally post on my blog), I have been reading my camera manual, learning to shoot manual all over again, conquering sun flare, figuring out colour balance, completing my mini tasks and weekly assignments, and this week...trying to understand what the heck is going on in photoshop.  

It has been awesome!  I even did my first official family photo shoot this past weekend (thanks Rhonda).

Week 1: a photo of something you would take with you if you could not come back to your house (pets and people excluded).  My journals... 

Week 2:  I randomly drew the words PINK, PAPER & WATER...

And why you should not bring your kids to photo shoots.  This was Will in the background. Very distracting I must say...

PICKING OUT OUR PUMPKINS

Picking out our pumpkins...featuring William and a whole lot of rain.

Will sucking on a tic tac

...and licking off the icing of the cupcake

It was a quick visit at the Pumpkin "field" this year.  After a pony ride, a ring toss game, some popcorn and a cupcake, we hurried home to dry off in front of the fire and make some hot chocolate.

THANKSGIVING

Back to Pasley with family for the Thanksgiving weekend.  The Drake Balmers opened at noon on Saturday for drinks at the beach.  

Besides and eating and drinking, there was a lot of UNO playing, as well as Fairy Snap, Go Maid, Chicken Out and Candyland.

The sun shone and the air was fresh and crisp.  We even have our turkey dinner outside on the deck.  

Here is Jake basting the turkey on the BBQ,

And lighting the candles for dinner.

We held hands and took turns saying what we were thankful for.  Sam said he was thankful for "turkey underpants" which he thought was hysterical. 

Will was very attached to this goose all weekend.

And I hardly saw Clara, who was at Grandma's cabin having sleepovers and rubs and treats.  She wore her pajamas all weekend and had this bed hair...

Thank you everyone for an amazing weekend!  And thank you Wholefoods for the delicious pre-made vegetables that we simply warmed up in the oven.  I am grateful.