Thanksgiving 2017

We traveled for Thanksgiving this year! We left Tuesday around 11 since the kids had school... There was some traffic and some reading of Vogue and some concern about driving in the dark...

But we made it to Bill and Tamara’s without incident. They were great to let us explode into their house, and they had an abundance of gifts for us to take back for Christmas after our trip.

We played with Jane and Bug on Wednesday morning...

Then the kids and I headed to Elizabeth while Nicholas stayed to visit more with his mom. At the farm we baked and ate and played... Heidi, Alex, and their kids were in at the same time, so it was great to see everyone!

I loved that Luke and Leo played so well together that Luke wanted to sleep in the same room as us. And just so I remember in ten years, Luke calls me “New Mom!” Ha!

Thursday was a lovely Thanksgiving day! The kids played outside and all the adults helped cook so it wasn’t too much on anyone. My cousin Laura even came out, so it was an even nicer visit.

And the next day Olivia interviewed Grandma Clara for her homework about what it was like growing up when Grandma Clara was young. It was sweet!

I got a few pictures from my “good” camera, too, that I plan to put here.

Then we spent the rest of Friday with Jane, crashed at Bill and Tamara’s, and set off for NC and home on Saturday! We had a great trip with lots of good visiting!

We are getting older!

Woot woot! I turned 38 on Thursday! Nicholas and I celebrated with a night out last Saturday just us. Thor did not disappoint! Then I had a fun day with Nicholas making me a birthday cake and setting out presents for me to open in the morning. I also snuck in brunch with a friend! Nicholas, the kids, and our families showered me with cards and love and gifts! I feel lucky!

Photo curtesy of Olivia!

And then I hosted Bunco for 14 of my neighborhood friends on Friday, which turned into an impromptu birthday party!

This is one of my favorite activities with my group! It’s always nice to put away the Legos and get out the wine glasses and flutes! Thanks to Dad and Heidi for my baker’s dozen wine glasses!

I really wish I would have taken more pictures of the roses, the food, and the party in full swing! Nicholas made a playlist and we had so much fun eating, drinking, laughing, and playing!

In other news, Nicholas took two days off at the beginning of the week to take care of the kids while I went to a conference for work at SAS in Cary. I had a great time and learned a lot! What I thought would happen was Nicholas would be so grateful for all I do after those two days, and I think he was. But what really happened was I felt so grateful to him for what he does everyday! The traffic getting there Monday was rough. But getting out the door just a few minutes earlier the next day made a HUGE difference Tuesday. I realize Nicholas sacrifices more than he lets on when the kids and I run a few minutes behind and the time with family at night is scarce and precious!

And some gratuitous kid and fall foliage pictures from lately!

Halloween 2017

We love Halloween! We carved pumpkins at home and at a party on Sunday. Daddy is still the best at cleaning them out and making faces the kids love!

We went to the pumpkin carving party at Leo’s preschool friend’s house for the second year, and had fun! There were so many cool pumpkins!

Then on Halloween, we went to a pre-Halloween hang out that we go to every year. Lots of fun and SO many kids!

This is what I brought!

And here are a few of our Greek goddess, Luke Skywalker, and construction worker!

And some during trick-or-treating!