Happy Halloween!

We have a little tradition at Halloween to go to Grammy & Grandpa's house first to trick or treat, then it's back to the neighborhood to pillage for candy.

This year, Mom was particularly proud of her striped tights. She pointed it out. Several Times.

"Did you see my tights??"

Yes! They're cute.

"Pretty cute, huh??"

Yes! Really cute!

"I thought they were pretty cute."

Adorable!

The kids love going over there, and it was really fun this year to see Celeste and Olivia all dressed up. And I got a good picture of Mom, Emily and I.

I was surprised that Adison chose Super Girl, although her first choice was a Duck. Maybe next year I'll think about making her costume. The best part about Cole wanting to be a hockey player, is that we had all the gear. Talk about an easy costume.

I have to admit...I found myself pushing the kids to go to "one more street?" when we were in the neighborhood. They still haven't figured out that we loot their candy supply after they got bed. Although Cole may be getting a whiff of it...

Opening Night!

Kevin and I haven't missed an Opening Night for the Carolina Hurricanes since they played their first game in Raleigh. This year, it looked like it just wasn't going to happen. At the last minute, though, we decided we could not break tradition and got tickets in the nosebleeds just to be there.

Well, you get what you pay for. We were in the very last row. You can't get any higher. Adison just isn't into hockey, and she did as well as she could for as long as she could. But the we all a great time, despite a loss to the Capitals...

A Picture Paints a Thousand Words

The Preschool has a fundraiser every year where the kids make some art and then it's put on anything you can think of (totes, notebooks, flags, tiles...) for you to order. Typically I don't love these. The teachers usually do most of it themselves and then put the kids handprint on it. It's too perfect. So this year I forgot about it until the last day and wasn't planning on even looking at her art. On a whim I went and looked at it and I'm so glad I did. All the other kids smiling faces are propped on too of their little bodies. But not Adison. I love this look. I don't know the story behind it but it seems as if on this particular day, smiling was not on the agenda.

Supper Club Costume Party

Kevin and I joined a supper club this year with 6 other couples. As soon as sign ups went around, I knew I wanted October. I have been trying for years. YEARS. to get Kevin host a costume party here at the house around Halloween. Kevin isn't keen on dressing up, so I never got the green light. Until this year.

By far, the hardest part of hosting a costume party with you and 12 of your closest friends is this: choosing your couples costume.

We went through several drafts, and there were some tense moments. In the end, we went with Sonny & Cher. Predictable? Yes. But I found an authentic Hawaiian Mumu at the Goodwill, shortened it, and a couples costume was born.

I love to think about putting a party together, specifically the decor. I wanted to go even over the top with decorations, but time didn't really permit. Overall, I was really happy with the way it turned out. On of my favorite parts was these hanging walls of lights we got at Ikea. We used them outside on the deck and it put off a nice glow.

Every couple had such fun costumes on, it was a great night. I'm hoping I can do it again next year. But I need to start thinking costumes now......

Pumpkin Carving

Kevin is the Master Carver. Every year he finds a design online and prints it out. Usually some intricate and chock-full of effort. Things I typically shy away from...

Here are he and the kids working on their pumpkins. They turned out great, as usual.

NYC - Day 4

This was our last day in the city. Kevin found a park that was built from an old, raised rail-road track/station called the High Line. It is a 3-stage renovation, and the first stage was completed when we were there. They were opening the 2nd stage a few weeks after we left with one more left to complete. When it's finished it will be a mile and a half long elevated park. It was simply amazing. Near Chelsea, it was so cool just to get off the beaten path of the city and imagine what it would be like to live there. I won't lie, I looked for apartments in the area.

There was so much to look at, and this super cook retro hotel towered over it. There was also lots of artwork, below the park where the freight would have been stored.

NYCC - Day 3

Today we started our day at MoMA. This is by far one of my favorite museums. Last time I was here, Starry Night by VanGogh was on tour and we missed it. This time it was there, with one particular patron who appeared to be attempting to physically step into the painting.



After a gentle talk from the man in the blazer.....


The disappointment this time was the whole wing with Jackson Pollack's work was closed off, so that was a bit of a bummer. But they had a mid-century-modern furniture exhibit up and that was really cool.

We decided to head back to Central Park after that, and just leisurely stroll through there and grab lunch at the park. A few artsy shots by Kevin:



After that we strolled around and noticed a big crowd. We went to check it out and it turns out it was Madonna, directing a movie. She was less than happy (which I don't find surprising at all). She's the one in the white hat.



We finished the stroll by visiting the Castle at the park. It never ceases to amazing me how quiet and peaceful it can be in the middle of the big city.




We finished the night with another amazing meal. (Note: I ate tons, walked tons, and came home a few pounds lighter from this trip. True story.)

NYC - Day 2

Today's first stop was a nice leisurely walk to Washington Square Park. Another beautiful day. Sunny and just a tiny bit cool.




From there we walked to Gramercy Park, the last private park in NYC. It was so fun to just really not have a concrete plan, and stroll around and get a sense of the city. This park was like a Secret Garden to me. I can only imagine how wonderful it is to be inside there, quiet and mostly alone!



We took the subway across town to the box office near the water. Kevin had done plenty of research on this particular one and how it often had more access to tickets than the one off of Broadway. So in line we got, and sure enough! We scored two tickets to the show Promises, Promises at a great price and the seats were great!



After another delicious lunch, we decided to go to Rockerfeller Center and go to the Top of the Rock where you can go to the top of the building and take in the sights. This is one of my favorite stops in NYC. I had gone here a few years ago with some girlfriends for the first time and I loved it more than the Empire State Building. The day had started to cloud over, but we still had amazing view; my favorite being the view of Central Park.




We spontaneously decided to take a tour of the NBC Studios and of course there were no camera's allowed. We got to see Dr. Oz's studio (snoozefest. Sorry Dr. Oz.) and then the Saturday Night Live Studio. THAT was something else. Just amazing. It was much much smaller than I ever would have imagined. They told us all sorts of cool facts about it and it was definitely the highlight of the tour.

After that it was back to the hotel to get ready for the show. Promises, Promises was a really interesting show. It was set in the 50's and they had the coolest furniture.

Of course it was pouring after the show and we had to walk blocks and blocks in the rain, but we hailed a cab! It was even across the street at a red light. I like to think my hand went up first and got it....

NYC - Day 1

We took the early flight out, dropped our bags at the Hampton Inn & Suites in SoHo (great hotel!) and headed out the door.

Our first stop was Zabar's Grocer, a NYC Staple full of all sorts of groceries, baked goods, and kitchen wares. We picked up some bread, jam, and honey and headed to Central Park where we rented bikes.

We thought we could bike all through the park, but turns out you can only walk your bike through on the inside paths. So we stuck mostly to the road that circles the park entirely. It was a gorgeous day and there was still plenty to see.

Our first stop was the Bethseda Fountain. Wearing our dorky helmets, and ignoring the snickers from passers-by, we took in this beautiful fountain.





Next was lunch in front of the lake. We were starving at that point, and I don't think bread and jam have ever tasted so good.



By the time we circled the entire park, we were ready for some down time, so we returned the bikes and headed to the hotel to see if our room was ready. It was! And we had the most incredible view of the Empire State Building.



After a nap, some tv time and getting cleaned up, we got dressed to go to a restaurant we had made reservations for 2 months in advance. Artisnal. Their masterpiece? Fondue.

And boy did they deliver. It was probably the best we've had since switzerland. Perfect temperature, perfect consistency, and wonderful taste. I think it went down in our recordbook as our most expensive meal ever as a couple (including dessert. How can you not get dessert?). And it was worth every penny.

10th Anniversary, New York City Trip

Kevin and I went to the Biltmore early in the summer for a 10th Anniversary celebration, but then he got an email on some amazingly cheap flights to NYC. Never to be one to pass up a good opportunity, we quickly checked our airline miles, transferred them to hotel points and voila! A trip to the City was born.

Most of our pictures are via camera-phone. We brought the 'big 'camera, but just didn't feel like lugging it around the entire time. Our goal was to go explore the city with a little less of an agenda as before. Of course this did not stop Kevin from pouring plenty of time over plans for the trip.

Our trip started off with Kevin trying to find the app he had downloaded that reminded him where our car was parked. While he was looking for that....I snapped a picture of our area name & number, and then of him. :)

A Moment in the Day

Video Chat with cousins. I don't know what's funnier, seeing them wear a big head set, or listening to them talk and laugh to each other.

Labor Day Weekend

After an entire summer full of 95+ temperatures, we are more than ready for the arrival of fall. But because we live in the south we have a bit more time before we start to see that actually happening. So it should come as no surprise that we decided to head up to the mountains for a long weekend. Temperatures there were in the mid 70's with the lows hovering in at the high 40's. It was glorious.

Leading up to this trip, we decided to reserve a canoe and take the kids canoeing down the New River. The shortest trip is 3 hours and we had no idea how the kids would do, but figured you won't ever know until you try.

The morning of it was cool! But there was not a cloud in the sky. We got to the loading doc about 9:00 and got the kids loaded up, life jacketed up and settled. The water level was a little low, but every bump, and ever moment we worked to get un-stuck was part of the adventure. The kids did amazingly well. We finished the course in about 2 hours and were almost ready to ride around and do it again.

I couldn't have, though, as my arms were pretty much numb from paddling. When I told Kevin this, he was surprised and said he thought it was really relaxing....but then told me that since he was in the back he would often take a leisurely rest and let me paddle away....

Monarch Butterflies

The last time we went to the mountains we were on the look out for Monarch caterpillars because there was a lot of milk weed mixed in with the trees. We never saw any, but when Fletcher and Nancy took the kids up there for the week they came back with 5!

We put them in our little butterfly habitat and watched them eat and eat and eat until one afternoon we were out for 3 or 4 hours only to come home and find they were all hanging tight in their chrysalis's. A little research told us that in about 10 days we would have Monarch butterflies.

Sure enough, on the 10th day exactly the kids and I were getting ready for school we discovered that one was out! I wish I had recorded their excitement on camera. They were truly beside themselves, just that no-hold-barred child-like wonder that kids express without shame. I love sharing with them in that.

By the time Cole was home from school they were all 4 out (one caterpillar was so small he kept escaping and so we let him grow out on the butterfly bush outside). Kevin got home and we went straight out to let them out near the bush. Everyone got a chance to let a butterfly out. Not one of them decided to stay on the bush, and I snapped a picture of one flying in the sky. These hatched late and that means that they should all begin their migration south. All of us enjoyed learning more about Monarch's through this and it is such a fascinating testimony to the intricate and complex way God created each living thing.

Adison-Ism

Her prayer at lunch today:

"Thank you Lord, for giving us whatever food we want. We LOVE shells & cheese. In Jesus name, Amen."

(note: I gave her Kraft macaroni today...and I got the hint).

Adison-ism

Driving home from church today, we were asking Adison about the lesson in her class, which was Daniel and the Lions Den.
So I'm quizzing her through the story of what happened:

Me: So what happened when the men found Daniel?

Adison: they put him in the cave with the Lions.

Me: Did they hurt Daniel?

Adison: nope

Me: why not?

Adison: Because that guy had sprayed them with bug spray and they didn't hurt him!

Looks like we still have some work to do.... :)

Our Sweetest Girl

Today we had to say goodbye to our sweet, wonderful Bou. We knew this day was coming, but it really did not make it any easier. A few months ago she was suddenly just out of it; not moving much, staring off into space, and it seemed like something was wrong with the left side of her. A visit with our vet confirmed that it was most likely a stroke or some other neurological issue. We knew then it would just be making her comfortable. Some medicine actually turned her into a new dog, and for weeks we were so thankful to have our vibrant, happy dog back. But a few weeks ago, the medicine seemed to not have as much effect, and this week she could hardly walk, would stumble and was unable to go up or down stairs. It was time, and it was so very hard, but this wasn't our Bou and it was not a good life for her.

In Boxer years, she lived a phenomenal life. 10 years! Almost unprecedented for the breed. When Kevin and I went to the breeders house years ago, we knew we loved this dog seconds after we met her. She was so FULL of life -- a little too full, as we were the "this is what you don't want your dog to do" example in puppy class. (A class we dropped out of shortly after that). She was hyper. I thought she would never calm down. But she was such a happy, happy, dog. Loved people, loved to run. We used to take her to the dog park and just let her off the leash on the field and she was so beautiful speeding around. She came from a champion background, and we like to say that she knew this. She would let you know if she was beneath certain things.Bou loved a walk, and when she was healthier she loved going out on one. Back in the day, when it was just Bou & I, I'd take her out twice a day. Anytime you grabbed her leash she'd snap up from a dead sleep and be ready to go.

When Irbe came and the kids after that, you couldn't ask for more. She never once snapped, never growled, never showed a hint of any kind of frustration. And when Irbe was gone, she was still the same good girl. She loved the mountains. The last few times we went she acted 5 years younger. Loved to sniff around and lay in the cool air.

It is oddly quiet around the house now. When Irbe died, we still had all the dog sounds (and smells...) and now I catch myself almost every day looking outside for her on the back deck, waiting to come in. I panic when I've been out running errands and think I need to get back and let her out. I still expect her to be laying in the family room when we walk in from the garage. Kevin and I are dog people. We get attached to our dogs, and someday we'll have a (big) dog again. No matter what, though, Bou - our first dog - will hold a very special place in our hearts.

Beach Trip

Kevin saw a Groupon (a kind of coupon for local companies) for a discount on an ocean fishing trip. He thought it would be fun for he and Cole, and his brother Scott and his son, Fletcher. They bought the trip - and then it fell through. Fortunately he found another guy at Carolina Beach who could take them and we decided to make a weekend at the beach out of it.

Our condo was right across the street from the beach, so it was an easy spot for us to get to and from with the kids. Upon arriving, I soon realized I had forgotten one key piece: the kids swim suits. Off to Wal-Mart we went, where Adison's neon plaid, and Cole's blue shark shorts were truly the best they had to offer. One thing was for sure: we would not lose sight of them at the beach, you could see those suits a mile away.

The waves were pretty rough, but the kids loved running in and out, jumping waves, digging holes in the sand and the weather was just perfect.

The fishing trip was a 4-hour turned 6-hour adventure for the boys. They didn't really catch much at all, but because of the kids they didn't venture out as deep into the ocean as they normally would. Cole absolutely loved the fishing trip and Kevin is thrilled and already thinking of booking another one.

All in all it was a nice family weekend of relaxing and enjoying each other.