Halloween

Its hard to say that our boys love one holiday more than the other in our house -- each one brings such excitement.  With that said, our boys LOVE Halloween.  We go out all with kid decorations and we host a fun family party in our backyard.  Mike makes turkey chili, I make some sides (and our friends bring something to share)....I order a jumpy and plan out some party games....we throw on costumes and turn on the ipod....  Pretty simple, pretty laid back -- just our style.  :)

bob/my father-in-law, shannon/my sister-in-law, miles and his cousin mason.  shannon's cigar-man costume (google him if you don't know who his is) still cracks me up. 


me and my fun neighbor, blake (aka sue sylvestor from glee)


mike makes this awesome sheet/design/cut-out thing every year.  didn't due it justice w/ my partial picture.


we had cute, baby pumpkins in attendance.



my mother-in-law painted miles' face (her's and mason's too).  he was a vampire and loved it.  (i don't have ONE picture of Noah from the party.  If you were here and have one, can you send it to me?)



(mason in her creepy cat disguise -- with a gummy worm for lips)

(like father-like-son....mike went for the creepy costume this year too)

we played some funny games.  one was "eat the donut off the string without using your hands".  sweet kate looked around for about 10 seconds, then just grabbed the donut with her hands.  i still laugh when i think about her just standing there, casually eating it, while the other kids wrestled with theirs.














It was fun (and funny)! More pics here. :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37361469@N08/sets/72157625185484091/with/5145119376/

Hallelujah

Just have to document some of Noah's comments/questions throughout the day today...my emotional guy with a heart full of faith. 


***
Noah: Mom, I don't love you the most. I love God and Jesus most. Then you.
Me: Well, Noah. That's the way it should be. First God and Jesus, then family, then friends.
Noah: Then neighbors, mom. That means everyone that we know a little bit or don't know too. And robbers, mom. We have to love even the robbers.

***
Noah: Mom, some people don't know Jesus and God. Some people don't have God and Jesus in their heart. I do. I have Jesus in my heart.

***
Noah: Mom, I hope that Jesus loves even the Devil. I wish that the Devil didn't turn bad after he was an angel. I wish that he was still good. I hope that Jesus loves him.

***
Noah: Mom, after the Devil turned evil, is that when he got his red suit?
Me: I don't know, Noah. I don't know if he has a red suit or if that's just how people draw him.
Noah: Mom, how about when Dad gets to heaven he can ask God. And if Dad doesn't want to ask Him, you can ask God. And, when I get to heaven, I'll come and find you, and you can tell me what He said.

***
Griffin: Mommy, God doesn't love bad people.
Noah: Yes he does, Griffin. God loves ALL people.
Griffin: No he doesn't. Not bad people.
Me: Griffin, Noah's right. God might not like bad things that people do, but God loves all people.
Griffin: but, but....
Me: Griffin, God loves all people.
(poor Griffin curled up his bottom lip and started crying huge tears)
Griffin: but I don't like bad people. that makes me sad.
(it took much reassurance that mike and i would always protect him from the bad people for griffin to calm down. so sad. he's only 3...felt like a lot for him to just tear up about "bad people"??)

***
I got this video from my dad tonight (by way of my aunt fran). Not sure if it was my conversation with Noah, or the video on its own, or both combined - but it it made me teary. I'm officially thankful for so much and am suddenly ready to celebrate the miracle of Christmas (maybe that will finally get me to stop eating halloween candy and transition to the next holiday?? :).  Hallelujah!

Griffin

Griffin: Mommy, why you marry daddy?
Me: Because I love daddy.
Griffin: But I love you. I want to marry you.
Me: (melt)


I broke out my camera this afternoon and called Griffin's name.  He immediately squeezed his eyes shut, wrapped his arms around his body (rapper style), and cocked his head to the side.  He kills me.  

Griffin & Aston

Griffin had his first official play date today.  He's been asking to have his friend Aston come over for weeks.  Kate and I scheduled one a couple of weeks ago -- then when the day came we both kind of forgot -- and wouldn't you know, Griffin remembered!  He gave me a big, sad face and said, "mom...what about my playdate with Aston?"  I called Kate immediately and we rescheduled.  :)

The boys were so cute together.  And, Griffin couldn't have been more proud/giddy when Kate dropped Aston off.  I see many more playdates in their future. 





(I'm not sure Aston realized how much love was coming his way...and Griffin was not holding back on his feelings!)

Brooke Brown Photography

At the beginning of October I casually opened a photography business. It all started with a rehearsal dinner I agreed to shoot for my friend Kelly -- a power hour instructor at the Y/my swim stroke coach. Then, another friend asked if I'd take Christmas card pictures for her/her friends (13 families over 5 afternoons). Since the mini-sessions I've received additional referrals for more sessions -- including several regular (60-90 min) family shoots and another rehearsal dinner this Friday night (turns out one of the girls/moms from one of my mini-shoots coordinates all events for Sonoma Restaurant Uptown as well as Founders Hall and referred me to one of her customers).

Its been fun! I'm s-l-o-w-l-y working on a website. Until its up and running, here's a photo from each of my October sessions. No rhyme or reason which photo I picked from each session - just wanted to be sure that I didn't use someone's Christmas card picture so I picked a bunch of single child shots and just a few family shots. :)

Adelaide

I'm way behind in posting cute, cute pics of my sweet, brand-spanking new niece Adelaide. The boys are I traveled to VA when she was born to hang out for a few days. They were rock stars on the trip, in the hotel, at their new cousin's pad. They are so excited for a new cousin. Adelaide stole our hearts while we were there. She is perfect. She is beautiful. She is family. We love her. So much.

they were all in awe of her.

griffin climbed up on the counter so he could watch adelaide's bath.




Lindsey, Jason, and I went outside for some pictures. Nacho has been a great big bro.











Can't wait to go back and visit next week!