Christmas Pictures

We had pictures taken a few weeks ago- it was a mini-session with a photographer I went to high school with. I am only going to post the two of the kids because the other ones (in color) are being used for my Christmas cards this year, which not to toot my own horn but I have already ordered! Soon I will post the kids school photos- we got the proofs back so I need to order them. 

Cold Day Stroll

We desperately needed to get out of the house... so we went on a short (and very cold) walk, the kids were so excited to be outside they even cooperated when I took pictures! 

Football Fun

We had a football watching gathering yesterday at our house. The weather was spectacular- 70's and sunny! It was nice seeing all our friends and it was nice being out in the world because it was the first warm day in a few weeks. It was a nice way to spend a Sunday. 

Planetarium

When you have more then one kids it can be hard to get one on one time so Don and I try to take them for some individual time whenever we get the chance (which sadly isn't very often). This weekend I took Ryan to Chapel Hill to go to the Planetarium. It is one of those places where I have great childhood memories there and I thought it would be something Ryan would like. We hung out on UNC's campus and played with a little twirly toy and threw leaves at each other, then went to a bakery for cupcakes and finally watched "Carolina Sky" at the planetarium. It was a great day out, Ryan seemed to have a nice time though he missed  his sister.

Halloween Parade and Trick-or-Treating

A few days late but.. Happy Halloween!  

Because the kids are pretty early to bed sort of kids we were worried that trick or treating could turn into a disaster but we actually had a great time. We were in a friends neighborhood for their Halloween parade (which was just a very cute way to show off kids costumes) which was followed by a pizza party. Then because that ended early (6pm) we decided to stay in the neighborhood to trick or treat because it started early. We were back in the car on they way home by 6:40pm and the kids had a great time!  It was a perfect and super fun way to spend Halloween which I am pretty sure is the kids new favorite holiday- I mean what's not to like, you get to dress up in costume and people give you candy! 

Pumpkin Carving.

Pumpkin carving is a funny way to show the passage of time, I have a picture from when Ryan couldn't even sit up squishing the innards in his hand. Some years he has liked it, some years it has made him gag. Audrey did the same activity in school yesterday and her teachers were very impressed that she wasn't grossed out by it at all. She treats it just like digging in sand. I guess we have officially now done all the Halloween activities aside from Trick or Treating... and just in the nick of time! 

Cold Weather

The weather has been out of control- a freezing hurricane passed by North Carolina bringing cold windy rain. We pulled out our winter clothes and have been snuggling by the fire. Hopefully the weather is good (or at least better) for Trick or Treating tomorrow. 

Color Me Radish

Don ran in the Color Me Rad race this morning with two of our friends... Apparently you run a 5K while people throw paint at you! Don had a lot of fun and it was funny seeing the before they left look compared to  when they got back. Their team name was "Color Me Radish" based on my mishearing the name of the race when they were discussing signing up. I'm thinking that next year I might have to get in on the messy action! 

Fall Art

I usually take the kids to volunteer on Thursdays but it was cancelled today so we decided to try some new things (or at least things we don't do very often) to keep busy. We went to the airport to watch planes take off, lunch at the mall, we collected leaves for a hedgehog art project and we cooked cinnamon swirl bread.  Good times but I am ready for bed (and it's 7:45pm).

Early Voting

I took the kids to vote early yesterday. I honestly wasn't planning on voting early but then when I heard that there was no line and they were open until 7pm I decided to get it done - kids and lines don't mix well, they aren't really known for their amazing amounts of waiting around skills. I feel like it's important to expose kids to the voting process, it's like reading- if they see you reading they are more likely to do it themselves. I want them to grow up knowing that it's important to vote. The fact that they got stickers for going certainly sweetened the pot!

Halloween Party