Halloween

Halloween - can you tell which ones are real??

The Hammer head shark made by Karen Lieb - lives on!!  Love that Drew just assumed it was his year to wear it.  I really want him to wear it AGAIN next year - but we will see.

We tried to keep the additional halloween to a minimum - it should be about that night trick or treating - not trunk or treating, not grabbing candy at the local stores.  Just one night!!  It was perfect that roaring brooke was having the Hob Goblin event that day - and since my mom is a local celebrity there, we were excited to go.  

I was AMAZED at how focused these 2 became at the bat craft.

Shocking that the 'decorate the cupcake' was also a hit.

The nature hike was wonderful and the highlight of the day (for me)  they had an old tree, a skunk, a fire fly, a spider and this owl (I finally took a photo!!)

A mildly crafty veggie spread for dinner.

We finally nabbed a photo of the kiddos that night.  We loved having the Asmar's over to run through the neighborhood with us.  Nick was Bill Belichek, Shane ditched most of his lobster costume, Drew the shark, Grace - Laura ingles Wild and Noah was Luke Skywalker.

Pumpkins

Ah, this day - we had just tried a new church (which was VERY promising) and decided to grab some pumpkins - 

Super simple, super cute - that's it, just the pumpkins folks.  No hay ride, no petting zoo, just the pumpkins for these pumpkins.

An than for whatever reason the day went down hill.  lately the kiddos have been just at each other  Ticking each other off (in turn ticking me off)  Punching, pushing, deliberately disagreeing, hurtful wrestling, the list goes on.  Boy stuff (so I am told)  that night Chris had soccer and I had the boys solo for dinner.  No big deal really right??  Something I have done countless times.  But for some reason that night was different.  I hadn't felt like I related or connected with them ALL DAY.  I may not have wanted to either - whatever it was, I lost it at dinner - just within myself.  Than I opted to search for 'support' or help on social media - rare for me.  But HUGE and honestly, the best words or support that came from the most distant reaches and was truly wonderful  - - 

for that I was thankful for putting my messy life out there - we have messy lives right?  Life isn't perfect pumpkins and kiddos - its yelling, pushing, punching and surviving.  We are stronger together and Sunday night I was thankful not for the phone call, but for the social media connection - it worked for me.  The next day - sure - I loved on these boys - but geesh, Sunday?  Not so much.

More Construction?

Why not - this one was SO needed, 

but not wanted (until it gets cold and the furnace stops working.  Over the summer we replaced the boiler - fun right?  

Its REAL pretty.  

Almost as pretty as the propane tank we dragged our sett about putting in.

Estimates, schedules and on Friday, time to install.

See, isn't she pretty?!?!

I asked if we could use the fill from the tank on our flower bed

Not my best idea, I went out 5 minutes later to see ALL THIS ROCK!  

A little trenching for the gas line.

The tank all set.

Time to 'pretty it up' 

Only hitch, where is the inspector?  Its Friday and guess what, they call it quits at 12 - sweet right?!?!  No inspection no gas.  NOT HEAT.  Our fault for stalling.  But who would have thought it would be that cold this weekend.  NO ONE.  20 degrees BOTH nights.

Here is our house Monday morning

Pauli is a smart girl.

Inspector arrived at 9AM Monday morning  - everything passed and the contractors where back within minutes to connect it all - just in time for 60 degree and sunny weather.  At least we will have PLENTY of heat for the winter!

Truth be told, this is the kind of construction I prefer this days.  Wow factor

Drew had a birthday party to attend while we had to 'do something' with all the rocks.  Planning that this is the ONLY behind bars photo we will have to take of this cute kiddo.

Only my husband can turn a pile FULL of rocks into a rock wall in 3 hours.  

LOVE HIM

Soccer star to puppies

On Sunday we went to Chris's Soccer game to watch our Soccer star!  He played great  - a couple shots on goal - but no goals and a rib injury that stuck with him for a few weeks.  Stinks to get old - hugely impressed watching him spent across the field.

The boys attention got a bit diverted.  Honestly it was the CUTEST afternoon ever.

These 2 girls foster puppies (before I let the boys play with them I had the girls PROMISE they would not tell my boys these dogs were adoptable.!  - To me too!!  As I was quickly getting suckered)

Watching the boys romp with these 2 puppies as absolutely the CUTEST thing ever.  They giggles, the puppies true interest.

These puppies were found in South Carolina and shipped up here for adoption - (apparently there are LOTS of puppies in need of home in the south - so its common that they ship them up here)  There are foster families that host these puppies until the right family is found.  Yes, the thought crossed my mind MANY times.  Pauli deserves to enjoy these years as the solo dog.

But the boys LOVED this time.

Love this photo as Shane is literally saying - 'Why are they tackling each other?!?!"  to which I immediately responded it is EXACTLY what brothers do - ALL THE TIME!

They literally wore each other out.

Picture perfect these two

I mean, these 2 - 

The puppies literally got tired!!  and chilly - so the boys offered to sit down and snuggle.

So cute right?

The boys LOVED it - all 5 of them.  Happy to say we didn't come home with them, but loved being able to play like that and can totally appreciate why boys should all grow up with dogs - So sweet.

Chris - Great game!!  A win too!

Fun Run

Cherry Brooke does an awesome little Fun Run as a fund raiser - we are happy to participate and this is year 2 - Nick was fired up to speed through both laps.  Shane, was excited to participate

Drew was excited to beat Shane - 

Watch out Cherry Brooke - We got a fire cracker headed your way!

New gig!

In this photo I am walking in to interview to work at Skin Sundown this winter - Somehow.  And of course I had to snap a photo of the fall foliage as this winter it will look MUCH different.

I am excited to be part of the ski sundown community, to bring the kids here OFTEN and to enjoy winter at the slope that is literally 3 miles away.  Thankful for the more family focus timelines our lives have.   No crazy commutes, timelines, deadlines - For those reasons I am able to do this (honestly I hope I like it!!)

Winter photos to come

Grandpa comes!!

Grandpa was his way home from a hike in Maine and was able to pop in for a bit - We loved hosting him and he brought a bit of Grandma with him - in the from of birthday cards and books!

Babara is a HUGE connoisseur of books and the boys LOVE it - she captures them instantly by reading.

Instantly!

Looking through all the books, I know she selected each one deliberately having remembered the story, appreciated the illustrations or just valued the tale.  A HUGE thankful for such a thoughtful gift for them all!

Grandpa was doing his best to fill in for Grandma!

Thank you Barbara - the books are so loved - by Mom and Dad too!! 

Bed time just got so much more enjoyable.  

Can you capture Connecticut Fall??

It is SO beautiful - the trees, the colors the weather - We did our best to take hikes, be outside and literally just soak it all in.  Here we are behind Ethel Walker

Roaring Brook with Charlie

Interesting outfit choice Drew man

Seconds later Charlie got soaked - at least it wasn't too cold out

Had to stop and grab this one.

Totally different spot - not as colorful, but very new England

Stratton Brooke

Very warm run and bike.

The lake that I enjoyed so much over the summer.

I took the back way on the way home the other day - made all the difference.

Winding Trails in Farmington - On the way to watch Chris play soccer and had to take this photo

See, Beautiful!

More walking with Drew and Pauli on Ethel walker

The horse jumps are a bit more entertaining than the hike - I would have to agree.

Trying to get artistic  - here is Heublin Tower

Hold on leaves - hold on - maybe I just need to keep taking photos - keep walking outside.