halloween.

I'm a bit late posting about our trick or treating, but I couldn't resist sharing the adorable kiddos.

Wendy dresses made by their Gamma (Andrew's mom) and I made the hat for the Peter Pan costume--about 5 minutes before we walked out the door. 

Cousins! Spider-man and an 80s work out girl! 

Lincoln was the cutest to watch, he caught on real fast. And wanted out of that wagon as soon as we approached a house and had his bag out and ready to collect. 

We are so thankful for our neighborhood, a safe and fun place to go. The neighborhood gets together and throws a pitch in dinner too ---which is a great way to say hello to those around us. I'm not a fan of the scary Halloween, but I love that it is holiday where kids can be kids and dress up using their imagination!

from the weekend.

Yesterday we spent the good part of the day at an orchard a few hours away to celebrate my niece turning one. We had the best weather, blue clear skies, not too hot and not too cold. The day included a hayride, apple picking, a corn maze, a playground, and of course, cake.

And for the first time in months, I took pictures with my DSLR. I admit, I became lazy with just using my phone camera. It's easy to take with me, I always have it, it's small enough to carry, and it has quick editing. But, I do miss pictures with my real camera after using it again. I love being behind the camera,  being able to truly capture moments in time. Time to start pursuing this passion more!

{fall is my favorite time}

This weekend also included hosting an outdoor movie night with over 60 people from our church (for the elementary kiddos). So thankful for the beautiful weather for this too!

There is nothing on the agenda for this Sunday afternoon, except enjoying just being together. My heart is filled with some much gratitude.

family pictures & video.

October was such a crazy, busy, fun month for us. It included three birthday celebrations, one of which a certain someone turned 30, our family pictures, family vacation to Disney World, and Halloween. In some ways, I'm so happy to welcome November and {hopefully} a slower pace. Although can we really do slow with holidays? I hope so! I have so much I want to share on here. But for now, I'm most anxious to share our family pictures.

For the last three years, my friend, Liz Russell (whom I met through a blog friend...seriously this internet stuff is crazy and sometimes creates long lasting friendships!) has come to take our family pictures and an amazing video. This year she traveled about 10 hours (there and back) to do this for us. Not even kidding. If you live around the Nashville area, you should get in contact with her for photography!

Here is this year's video.

And here are a few many of my favorite pictures.

How will I ever choose for our Christmas card?!

Check out our first year video here {2010}, and last year's video here {2011}

{the joy} of leaves.

I don't ever want to take for granted that we live in an area where we get four beautiful seasons. [Ok, I could do without winter, except at Christmas, but you know.]

Crunching leaves doesn't happen everywhere.

But it does here.

And I'm so thankful for that.

Today we enjoyed a slow day. We breathed in the warm temperatures that will soon disappear and swam in God's creation of oranges, reds, yellows, and browns.

Lincoln touched leaves for the first time and the girls requested their first of the season leaf pile.

Audrey twirled and sang in the pile while Naomi brought me a pile of leaves that was a "san-wuch fur du eat."

This season of life is good.

to the pumpkin patch.

We had one really beautiful, warm day this week. When I checked the forecast and saw that coming, I knew we had to take advantage of it. So we met up with my brother and his little family at an apple orchard/pumpkin patch place. We went last year, but each year just gets more fun as the kiddos grow. Somehow we managed to get almost the entire place to ourselves with the most perfect weather.

[You guys, look at his unbuttoned pants. He is such an old man, it cracks me up. 

My little Linc isn't so little anymore.] 

 [I spy with my little eye, drool. Always drooling.]

[Cousins! Not pictured- Lincoln and the newest addition, Lela- just one month old!]

two iphone pics:

[Yup, all three went down that slide!]

[Lips. Eyelashes. Need I say more?]

You can see last year's post here!

fall fun. {come on over}.

Growing up, one of my fondest memories was having friends over. A lot. My mom had an open door policy. Anyone can pretty much come over anytime, as long as they eat. She loved to feed people. And have tea. And talk. Boy, could she talk. [I sure do miss her.]

I'm so thankful that her legacy continues on through me. I love to host. When we were house hunting back in early spring, we wanted a large house with an open floor plan and a large backyard for the purpose of having people over. And we are so incredibly thankful that our home now allows for that. We have an open door policy. We want our home to be a safe-haven for our kids and for anyone else.

On Saturday, we had over twenty adults and twenty plus kiddos (age 7 and under) in our home. It was kind of awesome. Face painting. Pumpkin painting. Fire pit. Grilling. Pitch-in food. And just plain ol' hanging out.

This is my absolute favorite time of the year. 

Disclaimer: We have big plans to paint those rooms a light grey, get rid of the dining room light fixture, paint the kitchen cabinets white, and change out the counter-top, and white wash the stone around the fireplace. All with due time. You know, in between rocking babies to sleep, changing diapers, potty-training, working, and enjoying life. 

happy halloween.

We started the day out as Dorothy and Toto for a little Halloween party in the morning.

By the evening, she wanted to be a cat. Which went quite well with Naomi's Toto/dog costume from earlier. I love letting her be whatever she wants to be. She has been Rapunzel, Jasmine, and Tiana in the last few days as well. [None of which we had to buy, she has quite the dress up stash, with the cat and Jasmine costume borrowed from friends.]

She greets her friends by their names. Hey Jonah. Hey Hudson. Hey Deacon.

She walks up to each door with confidence in her little cat costume. Trick or Treat. I'm a cat. Meow.

Sister sits back and watches with her little dog ears dangling and a blue face from the sucker she snagged. Oh, the cute.

Oh, aren't holidays the best? Did you dress up? Or your kiddos?

Next up, Thanksgiving. Yay!