Happy Halloween!

Cutest little polar bear around 

Halloween isn't my favorite holiday, but I'm liking it a little more this year for some reason.

She wasn't so thrilled about the hat. This is her typical whiny face.

And this is the face she made when I told her to growl like a bear. Not very fierce.

These two little guys are the only fall decorating we have around here. No real pumpkins this year. These are artificial ones that you can carve and put a little light under. It was a fun Couples Night project that Ben and Suzanne planned (the tree won first prize, by the way).

 Hope you're having a Beautiful fall!

Eek!

So...I cut all my hair off!

It's something I've always wanted to try, and I'm loving it. It's a rather big change. My hairdresser said that Locks of Love would be able to make TWO wigs with what I gave them.

Before:

 After:
(but it gets a lot crazier than this when I sleep on it!)

Bry caught me coming in the door

And I caught Poppy by surprise!
I didn't warn her about this, and she stared and stared when I came home. This was her unsure half smile.

Caught on Video

One day I looked over and Poppy was dancing. I think Kaitlin may have been having secret dance parties with her, because she definitely has some moves. What a funny little girl.

(warning: dancing with pens can be dangerous and is not recommended)

Rain, Rain...

 I love rain. 

The sun has its place too, but rainy days are just so beautiful. I guess I've always been a melancholy sort of person though. My mom used to call me Eyore when I was little...

I found out that I'm not the only one in love with rain

Poppy kept trying to catch the raindrops on her tongue

As it happens, she was quite appropriately dressed for the day (and I didn't even check the weather)

Little drops on little toes

Another Good Couples Night

We hosted Couples Night in September and had fun planning an autumn menu. Bry and Poppy even gathered some fall decorations for the table while on their walk.

For dessert we made Heather and Suzanne mix the batter up blindfolded. They did have Chad and Ben for coaching at least. And the fastest blindfolded chef received a point in the ongoing "Most Amazing Couple Competition." (Heather won that round by a fraction)

We also had them play a word game and mold shapes out of play dough for their partner to guess. They were pretty impressive.

Morgan and Kyra joined us a little later and then smoked the competition in the last round.

After the games and dessert we had a long, amazing talk and were able to pray together. It was perfect (and thought-provoking). We love our friends!

Ye Olde Renaissance Faire

 Who doesn't love a good renaissance fair? There's nothing better on a crisp fall day than walking around with strangely dressed people and cheering at a real jousting match.  

The boys watching the fencing

This renaissance stuff is no joke! 

...except for here

...and here

The lord giving a rose to his chosen lady

The joust...they really hit each other and broke their lances and everything

Mia looking very convincing in the Asian war outfit

Face painting

The end-of-the-day procession

And I think that's a minstrel

A Happy Little Survey for Jen

1. My sister had this on her blog. It's fun. Answer the questions yourself as you go.
   
   
   1)Residence: A little town home
2. 2)Favorite fashion designers: I've always liked Burberry and their classic English style, and I just discovered a quirky, whimsical designer that I love named Alannah Hill
3. 3)Item of clothing you would never throw out: A little green jacket I've had since high school...and my wedding dress of course
4. 4)How would you define your personal style: mmm...I've been called a hippy on numerous occasions. I like things natural and earthy and sometimes vintage with a funky artistic flair in there to keep people guessing 
5. 5)What is your own fashion trademark: Probably wearing what I like even though most people wouldn't and it's not exactly flattering or trendy
6. 6)Favorite accessory: I have little hairpins that I love and want to wear most days, I also like interesting shoes
7. 7)Favorite color: Green
8. 8)Favorite scent: Right now The Original from the Individuals collection at Gap
9. 9)What is your facewash: Olay Total Effects 7-in-1
10. 10) Makeup: Not one brand, but I like Clinique
11. 11)Where do you get your hair done: Usually the Aveda Institute 
12. 12) Favorite Architect: I don't know architects by name and I usually like old buildings better than new ones
13. 13) Favorite destination: Italy
14. 14) Favorite discovery: New places to travel
15. 15)Favorite Hotel: La Casa Sul Mare on Procida Island, Italy
16. 16) Favorite Luggage: I'm not loyal to any certain luggage, though I have seen some cool things from Tumi
17. 17) Most memorable Party: Our rehearsal dinner and our wedding reception were both very special and I consider them parties
18. 18) When you can’t think of something to give a friend, what do you give?: Pretty cards or journals
19. 19) Every lady has a vice: Traveling
20. 20) Necessary extravagance: Traveling...and organic food
21. 21) Favorite movies: It Happened one Night (because of my grandma), Life is Beautiful (because it's amazing), and Little Women (because of my sisters)
22. 22) Favorite Cocktail: Mojito or Bombay Sapphire Gin and Tonic with a lime
23. 23) Handwritten Thank you note or immediate e-mail?: Handwritten note if it's from the heart and not impersonal
24. 24) If you have personalized stationary, where did you get it from?: I don't have personalized stationary but I just bought a beautiful wax stamp from Florence of our initials for writing letters
25. 25) The True hallmark of modern elegance is: An experienced peacefulness in who you are and what your purpose is in life combined with the ability to fully soak in the moment you are surrounded by right now