Halloween 2013

This poor blog. I have on occasion gotten behind on posts but never TWO months behind! I need to get back into it because I'm so grateful for this record and for the visual way it documents our lives. I just haven't been so great at taking photos with my real camera. I am much more inclined to use my phone and in the end, I'm certain I will regret that change.

 

In the meantime, we had Halloween this year! WE met up with friends in Old Town on Lee Street. I just love that tradition and the seemingly effortless festivity that Old Town provides. The best was being there with Sarah and her family, knowing it would probably be our last time to celebrate Halloween together. The best part of the night was going to Senator Mark Warner's house, which involved a walk through his courtyard, which was filled with super creepy men in costume and masks. When we finally got to him, he had a big butcher's knife and suddenly the place filled with fog. Asher and Soren started screaming and crying and running for safety. It was sardonically hilarious. Best part of the night.

 

We also ran into Chon and her baby Grace! That was such a fun surprise. I still can't believe she's married and has her own family. I'm happy for her.

 

The kids got lots of candy and ate a lot of it (they still like the hard or taffy stuff as opposed to the chocolate stuff) but eventually I put it away and they lost interest. I love their innocence and youth.

Freaked out yacking

The day before Halloween we took the kids to play a round of haunted mini golf. Asher was not feeling well but we dragged him out anyway. Some of the decorations were hilariously spooky to the kids, particularly one flaming red headed zombie baby. That freaky deak baby was so terrifying that Asher had nightmares for a few nights and asked that we NEVER go mini golfing again. He even said that Halloween was not his favorite anymore. I was a little heart broken to see him so shattered by the decorations but it's true--for as much as we love Halloween, there is that super dark, creepy side that takes the festivities to an inappropriately scary and gory level. I am happy to shield them from that as long as possible but to be the cause of said exposure? Guilty.

 

Anyway, once we got passed the zombie babies the kids had a great time. Soren and Maeve LOVED playing and Asher just limped along. He finally yacked all over the 12th hole so we just packed it up and went home. Still, those 11 holes were pretty awesome.

Dramatic Maeve

Maeve is always consistently generous with her emotions--she's quick to show affection and appreciation but can also be quick to throw a fit. It's fun.

The Appraisal

The moment we got home from Pennsylvania Jamie and I worked tirelessly to get our house in order for the house appraisal that would determine our refinancing. We slept for a mere four hours and worked 20 hours, never stopping in preparation for that appraisal. I've never been so exhausted and overwhelmed. Our house had also never looked so clean, organized and beautiful. We had some landscaping done to the front--the old bushes yanked and azaleas planted. We had the front step and walkway repaved. We planted rosemary and mums along the walkway. The majority of the house was repainted and most stunning of all, the kitchen cupboards were painted white, which caused the kitchen to explode in both size and brightness! 

Weeks and weeks of effort came down to a ten minute visit by an appraiser based out of Maryland. I know Jamie had rehearsed what he would say to her about the house but it all happened so quickly that he didn't even get to say what he had planned. When she left, we both collapsed in exhaustion and relief, mostly exhaustion. 

We waited less than a week to learn that the appraisal came in exactly where we wanted and hoped. Success! 

School Photos

Shortly after our festive weekend away, the boys had their first ever picture day. Soren cried when I made him wear 'Sunday' clothes and he worried that he would be the only one in those types of clothes. He's super sensitive to what he wears and will cry and cry if he doesn't like what I choose. Asher is much more chill. My adorable little Asher man is just eclipsed by his clothes. If I buy clothes for his age (6) then they are always too big. I hesitate to buy things that fit just right but I get tired of everything hanging on his diminutive frame. Even in baggy clothes he is so cute. 

Soren is so tall and strapping. It's never lost on me the amazement of seeing Asher and Soren side by side. I'm happily reminded of how unique they are both in size and nature but also in the fortune of being twins. 

Haunted Dutch Wonderland

Part of our weekend in New York was to take the scenic route home, through Pennsylvania. Our intent was to explore the Lehigh Valley where Jamie was born. Sadly, we just didn't have to time to even stop once! Our final destination was Dutch Wonderland for their Happy Haunting festivities.

Although we didn't get to see much more than what the highways allowed, the scenery was stunning. Layers and layers of colorful hills and wonderful countryside. I lament that we didn't get to see downtown Allentown and Bethlehem. We'll just need to return and make both places their own weekend trip.

Dutch Wonderland was especially charming decked out in Halloween decorations! When we first arrived, it was madly busy with the longest lines we have ever seen in all of our visits to Dutch Wonderland. I was a little disheartened but as the evening progressed, the baby babes went home and soon we had the park practically to ourselves. We sat on rides for several iterations without having to get up. It was such a dream. We sampled the pumpkin funnel cake (SO delicious) and stayed until closing. Amusement parks are always a little more magical at night and Dutch Wonderland on a crisp fall night was exceptionally fun. It was really the grand finale to an already extraordinary weekend!