A Week's Worth of Halloween Celebrations

The week kicked off with the arrival of our kids' storm trooper Halloween costumes. If you know me well, you know that I was, inside, secretly disappointed that they didn't want homemade Halloween costumes because I truly love the creative challenge, hands-on work, and cute results of a homemade costume! But, no, this is what they had their hearts set on this year:

Our Trick or Troopers.

Friday night, the week before Halloween, the elementary
school hosted a Harvest Dance. The kids were invited to
wear their costumes. Here's Ollie with his friends, Sammy (left)
and Graham (middle).

The dance was great. I was kinda blown away. I shot a couple of videos actually and texted them to my friend Dawn. She and I went to more than a few middle school dances. And I was like, "I don't remember our dances being anywhere THIS cool." And she was like, "Nope. No way." Check it out:

Mike was in NC for the weekend, so it was just the kids and I here at the house. After the dance Friday night, we just huddled up for a cozy, rainy weekend at home. We did set about carving up some pumpkins on Sunday afternoon while a big pot of chili simmered on the stove. Happy...

Ollie pretty much scooped out his pumpkin and then
I took over for him. You know, sharp knives and all that...

Another reason I love Halloween: Carving jack-o-lanterns with my fellas.

Merrit was into it this year. He drew out his design first
and then set about carving it up. I trusted him with his
own steak knife this year. He did great!

The pumpkin Ollie and I made.

Merrit's pumpkin on the top step.
Very elaborate teeth and eyelashes!

On Tuesday, the preschoolers wore their costumes to school, had a parade
through the hallways, and ate cupcakes in class. 

Ollie with his friend and classmate Margaret.

On Wednesday, Halloween day, we were invited to Sucker Punch
to trick-or-treat through the office. In the lounge, there was a
cauldron of smoking punch, crackers and cheese, desserts,
cupcakes for the kids, and wine for the grown ups. Great party!

More sugar! Just what the kids need! :)

All the Sucker Punch kids pose in their costumes for a pic.

The boys in full attire.

Posing with ninja warrior friends, Brennan and Gabe.

Lock, Stock, and 40 Smoking Candles

It's Mike's fortieth birthday and we (his family and I) have a super awesome birthday surprise planned for him. We went sorta low-key here at home since he'll be in...drum roll please...NORTH CAROLINA for his birthday on Sunday! Yep, it's true. Durenda, Rocky, and I went in on a plane ticket for him and surprised him with the trip details over Skype last week. His bags are packed, he's ready to go, but first... a little cake and ice cream with the kids...

The boys helping count out FORTY candles. 

Mike flies out first thing tomorrow for his birthday weekend with family. Bon voyage!

Erin's Quick Up-and-Back Visit from Corpus Christi, TX to Seattle, WA

I think the conversation went something like this:

Greg: "Hey, you know you said you were going to come visit us in Corpus Christi, and you never did?"

Me: "Yeah...I know, I suck."

Greg: "Why doesn't Erin come visit you guys? The kids are with my mom and I have a guys' weekend planned. Whaddya say?"

Well, I didn't have to think very long and hard about that one! The last time I saw Erin was sometime in 2008; Ollie wasn't even one yet. We were due for a visit for sure. 

She lives down in Texas now, but we met at NC State back in 1993-1994ish. We were both zoology majors. She is an absolute sweet girl, and I can't believe I get to show her around Seattle and treat her to a fun weekend in the Pacific Northwest. 

I picked up Erin late Thursday night from Sea-Tac. After we got the kids to
school on Friday and dropped Mike off at work, she and I hiked to the top
of Poo Poo Point. It's a 7.6 mile hike (round trip). Mike's been before but
this was my first time doing this hike. It was great! 

It was super foggy so, unfortunately, by the time we got to the top, we didn't
have much of a view. but it made for a moody and picturesque hike.
After the hike: pho for lunch. Then off to pick up the kids from school.

On Friday night, we treated ourselves to the ultimate night out in Seattle:
Dinner at the Space Needle.

On Saturday, Erin and I took the kids to the Seattle Aquarium.
Ollie, being a Great Pacific Octopus.

Merrit, trying on scuba gear.

Laughing. What we do best! Ever since Dr. Hentz's Chemistry 101 class! 

At the aquarium. 

Trying on goofy hats in the gift shop.

Erin is such a goof! I love her!! 

Waving to the scuba diver through the glass.

Merrit checking out the diver. Very cool. 

We grabbed some lunch at Ivar's waterfront cafe. 

Then we walked around Pike's Place Market. 

Sort of spontaneously, we decided to buy mussels for dinner.

Back at home, Erin scrubbed and de-bearded all the
mussels while I browsed around online for a good
broth recipe.

She did the dirty work. But the meal was definitely worth
it! We had steamed mussels in broth, crusty bread, salad,
and whipped celeriac root. It was yum yum.

After just two days, it was time to say goodbye. Erin's flight left out around noon on Sunday so we just took her out for bagels in the morning and then headed on in to the airport after that. Erin, I'm so glad you could come visit us!! Next time bring the hubs and kiddos! And, I promise, I'll get to Corpus Christi one of these days! :) xo

Happy 1st Birthday, Baby Jack... Family Reunion... And Groton Long Point, CT

When we were in England, one of the most difficult things to swallow was that Baby Jack arrived and I couldn't BE THERE! So, heck no, I was not about to miss his first birthday...even if I did have to fly to Connecticut to be there. :)

To add the cherry on top, it just so happened that the party was happening only five miles from where my grandparents used to live, where I spent many childhood summers, and where my aunt and uncle and one of my cousins still live. 

So, I was definitely hoping to get in some good family time and re-visit some of the places where I have so many good memories...

I flew in sort of late on Friday night. Early Saturday morning, my
brother-in-law, Tom, and I went for a run in Groton Long Point. As we
jogged, I kept taking out my iPhone and snapping pictures of the beaches
and streets I remembered so well. This is the beach across the street from
where my grandparents lived.

Kiddie beach, where my cousin and I used to collect mussels, hunt for crabs,
and swim with her Black Lab, Scooter.

Houses along South Beach. 

We ran right past my grandparents' house on Prospect Street. My grandpa
built this house! Isn't it sweet? It's still in the family, and is now rented out.

The route that Tom and I ran. All along the coastline
of Groton Long Point. What a great run!!!

By the time Tom and I got back from our run, everyone was up and a big
breakfast was on. Quiche, fruit salad, and coffee. The guest of honor, Baby Jack,
was up too!

Haven't seen this little bundle since Christmas...so, yeah, I was getting some
snuggles in!

Baby fever in full effect! Can you blame me? Look at him!!!

Nanny with Jack's "Uncle Tyler."

A little later that day, it was time for the party. Page
had made some delicious sweet potato cupcakes with
cream cheese frosting (hurt me!) and some chocolate
cupcakes for the party. Every little detail of the party
was so thoughtful and cute and sweet. Page, you are such
a good little mommy!

How sweet are these decorations?

Love the banner.

Jack with his great uncle Tom and great aunt Rita.

Opening presents. He's a little love. I could eat him up. Really, I could...

The big house that was rented for the get-together housed all the folks
on our side of the family. It was a really beautiful home only two blocks from
Page and Andrew's house and about two blocks from the water. Really nice!

Later that night, we all sat around in the guest house. We stayed up late,
laughing and drinking wine and eating snacks and catching up.

Next morning. BISCUITS!

I actually had to take some pictures of Delores working her magic for my
Aunt Marlynn, who I was planning to see later that same day. I knew she'd
want to see the "Southern Style Breakfast" that had taken place in the
heart of CT earlier that day! 

Perfect, as usual...
How DOES she do it? Even with a different oven, different brand of flour, etc.?

Jack and Tyler. Lovable!

At 11:00, I went over to my Aunt Marlynn's and Uncle Eric's house to meet
up with them and my cousin Andy for coffee and pastry. I had to take a few
photos of my aunt's living room. It's exactly like I remember!!

I love this room. 

Being here just makes me happy. 

After we hung out at Marlynn and Eric's for a while, they had to go see
some friends in Rhode Island so Andy and I headed out in his car for a little
late lunch. Ford's Lobsters did not disappoint. The off-the-menu (known to
locals only) lobster grilled cheese was out of this world. 

The restaurant is BYOB, so Andy and I stopped for a six-
pack of this local brew. 

We ate at an outdoor table right by the docks. What a beautiful spot! 

The famous lobster grilled cheese. On a scale of 1 to 10, it was like a 15.
I'm not even kidding.

After lunch, we walked down to the docks. 

Then, Andy and I got coffee and walked around in Mystic.

Sweet little town. Lots of good memories. 

Monday morning, I woke up early. Probably about 6am, well before anyone
else was up, and went for a walk. 

Down at the end of the point, on a little spit of beach. I think this is Jupiter Point...?

Found this fire pit. Too bad we didn't know about this last night. What a
great place to come and hang out late at night!

When I got home from my walk, everyone was up and having coffee.
Jack, our sweet birthday boy, was in good spirits despite a long day
yesterday. He's a little sweetie! 

Nanny gets some snuggles in before her plane flies out later today.

The fall colors are just starting to come out in CT. Page drove
me to Hartford for my flight at 1pm. The drive and the conversation--
time alone with my sweet niece and awesome friend--were priceless.