ready or not!

It's snowing outside and it's only October! But I must confess...I do like it! Not the mess that it brings into the house and car, not the on and off of snow clothes multiple times a day (really), not the ferocious wind that usually accompanies the storms, but the crispness of the air (ok, sometimes down right bone-chilling), wearing sweaters and jeans, hot chocolate, the coziness of being indoors when it is too cold to be outside (again, ask me in a couple of months how I feel), and the beauty of fresh fallen snow - nothing like it.

I admit, I think before Halloween is a bit early for this white stuff. I was still enjoying the fall foliage.

But it's here -

And so are the snow clothes! Millie was so excited to get all bundled up (only twice yesterday) to eat some fresh snow!

But with our Fall/Halloween decor in place, our spiders dangling around the kitchen and all the costumes ready for use, we are ready for this eventful time of year - even if it means snow!

Eli frequents the table and countertop in order to get a closer look at our 'piders. He gets very excited about these little guys.

Kissing the 'pider.

Wishing you all a Happy Halloween!

fourteen...

Our little miss Maren is not so little anymore. . . and it's making me panic a bit!

For her 14th birthday celebration, she and a few of her friends were able to spend the evening {CREATING}! They each picked a piece of pottery, came up with their own designs and then painted away. They all did such a great job on their creations!

The girls had one table and the rest of us had another! The littlest one of 'us' stayed home to play with a sitter. But, just look at all of our artists at work!

Dad working hard on his choice of pottery...a skull!

And like father, like son. I must admit, their skulls looked pretty awesome!

Arrgghh! 'Pirate' Millie was so in to this little penguin. I was unsure how much time she would really spend on painting it. She was very careful and did such a great job!

And look at this masterpiece. Truly. Natalie could have a real future at being an artist!

The whole gang back at home for food and movie fun! Very nice girls, those friends of hers.

Our family celbration consisted of a personal requested birthday dinner of steak, potatoes, and fruit salad. Even Grammy and Papa were able to join us! But no cake for this one. Maren asked for a Lemon Blueberry Tart. A true sign of getting older...more mature tastebuds!

And she thought she knew everything that she was getting - one of her surprises was a charm necklace with her initial.

We sure love this girl! Happy Birthday Maren! We hope you had a wonderful 14th. XOXOXO

our little man

Now, just look at him....not a baby anymore. Well, yes, he still wears diapers and sleeps in his crib (hasn't even attempted climbing out!). He only has a handful of recognizable words, but adds to his vocabulary daily! He can't be trusted alone -- he'll be into and onto everything. He is frequently found on the counters, 'playing' in the knives drawer, chair pulled over to the sink 'cleaning', on top of the piano and playing with his feet, and especially LOVES dad's office and all of his sharpies!

Eli really likes his new coat -

And, ahh, yes. Dad's sharpies -

He enjoyed showing me his artwork while I documented his {naughtiness}!

And adding to this list of his frequent stops...the dryer.

{Naughtiness} and all....we LOVE this boy!