Heavenly Fall

I can't help but post picture after picture of my surroundings. I am so grateful to be here. To breathe this air. To witness the sunrise morning after morning. To hear the gravel under my feet, the leaves rustle on the wind. I forgot how connected I was to the physical world around me when I was in Texas...I knew it was missing, but I embraced where I was. Now that I am back, I am not taking a single breath or sight for granted. And, in classic me-fashion, I have to share it.

This morning it was raining, but the moment I went outside for a walk, the clouds cleared and this was my wallpaper.
Liam had the great privilege of having his uncle Chuckie take him out to the bus on Tuesday morning. It was PJ-day and you can tell that Liam was psyched!
Aaaahhhh, can you imagine a more beautiful sight????









Every day I am in love with my home.

The Pumpkin Carving Reunion Party - AT LAST

The festivities actually began last week with apple and pumpkin picking with friends.

The festivities lasted all week while we prepared. Decorating is sort of a way of life at our house.
And FINALLY, the Pumpkin Party.

The new additions this year:

- Pumpkin Rolling Races - were a huge hit with the young crowd.

-"The Emerald Pumpkin" a new award...with no true criteria yet, but still fun to give out.

The biggest difference between last night's party and the ones of the past was the amount of kids. Years ago we'd have the occasional nursing infant, but this year we had loads of kids. It was different, but still amazing. We still managed to have music and merriment and stay up too late. The pictures speak for themselves.

Here's little Sean K. He was pretty excited about attending his first pumpkin party.

Leah, Luke, and Liam underneath Chuckie's totally amazing and awesome jack-o'lantern scarecrow.
Skyler and Finn - he actually called her "Sky-sky"!
The pumpkin rolling races were definitely big fun!
Sara and Calvin

Lukas

The pumpkins in display.
Pumpkins in the dark.
The garage all cozy and set up for music fun.

All I can say is, it's good to be back! Hope to see you next year.

Not all sunshine and glitter...

Here I am, doing what I do best (that is, after mommy-ing, baking cookies, and wifey). I thought my Texas peeps would get a kick out of this pic because it's a version of me that never made it out there. You guys all know 'mommy-britt' real well, but here's a peek at 'working/librarian-britt.' I wish there were a better shot of the pants I am wearing, because they are my sexy-pants and they really make my butt look spectacular...oh well, another time.

Anyway, I didn't want people to think my life is all rainbows and gorgeous fall foliage...but...it's really, really hard to complain about anything. Yeah, we have days when the boys are all cranky from being at school/daycare for long chunks of time and I can barely stand because I am so tired and the only thing we eat is frozen pizza and barely thawed peas. (Although, barely thawed peas are a treat over here at casa-B and Bill's been around, so technically, that has only happened once so far.) But...um...well...I had planned to write a little rant here and I can't really remember all the things I was going to rant about....

I'm still chubby. I'm still trying to lose weight. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. But seriously. I tell myself I am trying all the time. And I am getting my spectacular butt to the Y as often as possible.

I still complain...can't remember about what, but trust me, if you were sitting next to me, I'm sure I'd think of something.

I still talk too much.

I still forget things people tell me and what time I'm supposed to be where and when, even after numerous reminders and hastily deleted emails.

And I still procrastinate. (Supposed to be writing lesson plans right now.)

So...yeah. That was fun to write. Can't wait to share our adventures in NYC this weekend!

Sunny days...sweeping the clouds away....

So, this is my life. :) Liam has joined soccer and the Cub Scouts. We see our buddies every week. I go to work Monday through Wednesday. I joined the Y and actually get to swim and go to step class. We drove to CT recently to watch my brother's band perform. Next weekend we go to NYC to see my sister and brother run a half marathon.

The leaves are changing and we are making plans for the long awaited Pumpkin Carving Party. It feels so good to be home....now Bill and I just need to find one of our own. We are so lucky my mom and David are letting us use their house. So so lucky. We are searching for just the right house and grateful for the luxury to take our time. It definitely feels like the sun is shining on us.

Here are the boys in CT.

Waiting for the school bus. It has rained nearly every morning!

This picture was taken at the Columbia County State Fair, Labor Day weekend. Good times.
Finn, Leah, Liam, Luke, and Skyler - biggest bunch of trouble you ever did see!

Bouncy Boy...

Here's a little clip of Finnster on the trampoline early one August morning...

Finn's Birthday Video

I know it was almost a month ago, but here's the video from Finn's birthday.

Liam started first grade yesterday, I started my job this week. We are all well, just adjusting to the new, very busy schedule. More pics and videos soon!

Summer of Bliss

I have always believed in notions such as: 'good things come to those who wait,' 'what goes around comes around,' and 'everything happens for a reason.' This summer is proving all those things to be true. Bill landed an awesome job and even I landed a job better than I could have imagined! A part-time school librarian job!!! Those rarely turn up and I feel so so lucky to have the chance to do what I love professionally, yet still be home 2.5 days of the week to be mommy all day long to Finn and get Liam off the bus, etc. Lucky, lucky, lucky, I tell ya.

This summer I have spent days at the beach (oceans and lakeside), biking along beautiful tree and sand dune lined bike paths, hiking mountains, swimming, picnic-ing under shady trees...truly the summer of bliss. Last night we celebrated Finn's 2nd birthday - his first in NY. I just can't say enough about being home. And while I miss my TX friends and family so so much, it is simply heaven to be in a place where my heart seems to beat in time with its surroundings.

This here is clearly Liam's "magnum" face.

Snyder's Lake - very tasty according to Finn...

Birthday boy's gluten/everything free cupcakes. The recipe came from the famous Babycakes bakery in NYC. The cupcakes (vanilla, with a hint of lemon), were actually very, very good. The chocolate frosting, however, was a complete bust. Probably had to throw away $20 of fancy pants ingredients...and ended up frosting them with Pillsbury's fudge in a can...not the greatest, but Finn can eat it and it seemed like most of the kids did not notice they were eating a very special cupcake. (I made an eggy/buttery brownie for us who know better.)
Young lovers frolicking in the fields...
I am pretty sure Finn imprinted on Skyler a few weeks ago. It's set in stone...
Not sure what's going on with these two...holding hands? They are the best of buds.
Billbers home for Finny's birthday was the best gift of all.
My view - all day, every day...well Jen and Skyler aren't always there...but geese (on the lake) sure are. (My war with them begins again...)


This is one of my favorite shots. The boys on the tree swing....right outside my door. :)
Oh, those two again!
Time to devour gluten, dairy, egg, nut-free cupcakes!!!
TRUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He can't get enough of them.
Frosting gone amuck!