Finally - time for Pumpkins!!!

Snake skin in the hay pile - thank goodness it was just the skin!

One of the things we love about living in Virginia is the fall. It is an absolutely spectacular season here . . . when it finally gets here! Even though the calendar says fall arrives in mid-September, we struggle with summer temps into October. Last week it was 90 one day and I was forced to turn the AC back on!!! No thank you!

Well, lucky us . . . because the fall temps arrived on Friday and we couldn't be happier! We spent the weekend decorating our house with pumpkins, ghosts, scarecrows and leaves. Actually, Derek and the kids did most of it. Saturday we spent running errands on the West End and preparing for Derek to make homemade green chili and chile rellenos. Derek and I got to go out for a date on Saturday night to have a grown-up dinner, and it was so cool and fallish that I got to wear a sweater - HAPPINESS!!! (for date night and sweaters!)

Sunday we headed to the Pumpkin Patch at Chesterfield Berry Farm, where we picked strawberries last spring. It was a goregeous, blustery day and we had a great time! We played in the hay pile (until we saw the snake skin), we fed some farm animals, Tate played in the corn, we ate some cotton candy, and most important - We got 3 great pumpkins! It was a great family day. There was no afternoon Bronco game, so Derek roasted the chiles and made a fantastic dinner. We miss Mexican food SO much and the only way we get decent food is if Derek makes it. Lucky me to have a husband who cooks every Sunday!!!

God Love 'Em!!!

I always knew wanted to be a mom, but there are some days I could just eat mine up!!! Yesterday was one of those days. After preschool, my kids spent about 30 minutes ruining the squirrels' winter by collecting acorns around the oak tree by the driveway. I have to admit that I wasn't really paying attention and didn't think much of it when Tate asked for a bag. He went in and got one, me still not paying attention to the fact that he had a gallon ziploc bag, not the usual sandwich size! So, the rule is that the acorns have to stay outside (I'm afraid critters will smell them and want to get in the garage) so this HUGE bag of acorns is sealed outside in a planter. It's a terribly cruel joke on the squirrels on Kipper Turn. Maybe they will undertstand that the bad economy affects them too!
Next up, Avarie as the next Immelda Marcos . . .

Derek and I love to play card games with Tate before bed, so last night we were deep in our 3rd game on UNO and Avarie often wanders around while we play. The child LOVES shoes. If we are out shopping and go into the shoe section, she squeals with delight and shouts, "Choos, Choos!" Derek does not understand the dangerous connection between shoes and Choos and I think we should keep it that way. I knew she was in the shoe basket (not unusual) but about died when I walked over and she had EVERY pair out and paired up and had probably tried on all of them. (That picture does not show all the shoes she eventually had out.) What's even better is the pair she finally chose as the perfect finishing touch to her outfit . . . Tate's DIRTY Keen sandals!
I don't think this look will make it in the pages of "In Style" or on Project Runway, but her ultimate happiness came when she realized she had pockets too! Strike a pose, Sas!
God love 'em!

Remembering...

Today has been 10 years since I lost my mom and I wanted to post something in rememberance and in celebration of her life. Here's a picture from when she was younger; I have loved looking through old pictures during the last week. I still hear her voice in my head and can still feel the warmth of her smile. It's hard to think of my life 10 years ago when she was so sick. I am so grateful to the people who supported me then and support me now. Each of you has taken on a little piece of her and I am so lucky to have those pieces in my life.

At my cousin's wedding this summer, my aunt and uncle and cousins and I laughed at the unmistakable resemblance between my mom and I, especially as I get older (eesh!). What's even more amazing is when I look at pictures of her when she was a baby and young child and how much my kids look like her! Wow! Today Tate asked me if I miss my mom and I said I do and he told me that he will love me since my mom is not here to love me. Then he told me somthing that Derek and I have told him before - that she is an angel who smiles down on us everyday. It's so sweet but he always looks up when he is going to ask about her or talk about her.

So, tonight, we will raise a glass in celebration of BBS!