Hello My long lost blogger fans.
It has been months since my last post. I think the last time we spoke Sydney had just graduated from Kindergarten and summer was just beginning. Well, there has been a lot of life in between now and back then. I will be posting some summer memories in the weeks to come.
For now, here is what we are up to this Halloween season.
The girls are very excited to go trick or treating.
We carved pumpkins the other evening. Every year this task get easier and easier. Sydney scooped about 40 seconds worth of pumpkin guts before saying "Ooooo that's gross, I'm done Daddy". Sara lasted about one look and asked to not have to do it.
Syd designed her own and cut quite a bit of it herself. Sara is just not quite ready for finger slicin' fun yet.
Here is the final product:

Today was Syd's 1st grade Halloween party. We had lots of fun. I manned the cookie table. Whew! It is very stressful to manage two tubs of frosting and 6 bottles of sprinkles with 27 kids. Nothing in my previous work life prepared me for this kind of work.

Supergirl and Aurora (Sara helped herself to the lipstick and I let it stay on)

Sara and Syd with Reese and Abby (Sara goes to Montessori with Reese. Abby sits next to Syd in 1st grade. They are good friends.

This is Erik. Syd has a crush on him and I completely approve. He is the kindest boy. Syd cries a lot in class and he is always trying to comfort her. Genetics are a funny thing. Syd has been chasing him all around and give him kisses all over his face. Hmmmm....sounds familiar.

I dressed up in Pat's old cop uniform and I looked VERY official. So much that everyone thought that was my real job. Wish I had a pic but couldn't get one of me.
As for me:

Please excuse Mulan...She is a nudist here at our house.

I have been having a great fall. It is totally beautiful here. The trees are completely beautiful this year. We have had some good windy days so the leaves are all swirling around.
I am getting used to our new schedule. I am getting some time to myself a couple times per week. That feels GREAT!! Ahh.. grocery shopping by myself...such a simple pleasure.
I am reading The True Story of Hansel and Gretel. Good book for sure!
I've been knitting again. Still can't believe it but...Yes, I am knitting. The girls love their scarves.
The coaching practice is going great. I am so grateful for my little office downtown. My job is still one of my favorite things.

As for Pat:

Saturday Morning

He is great! He is working away with computers. He has started working on the basement again. We have been motivated by a big stinky cat poop...Literally. He has built a mud room so the cats can do their business in there and then enter the house through a cat door. No more smelly cats for us. I can hardly wait.
Pat read the first book I have ever seen him read in our 9 years together. Shocking! I think it was a Tom Clancy.

We are off to Hawaii in a month and it is my goal to get our summer memories up and posted before we go. We'll see how I do.