Halloween

I had envisioned having 2 little bats this year, but N insisted on being a dragon, so that's what we did. When I ask them what a dragon and a bat say, they say "Roar!" On Sunday we went to Trick or Treat Street at Highlands Square in our neighborhood. Each of the little shops was giving out candy and the boys really enjoyed going to the first few, but tired by the end. Trick-or-treating is hard work! By Friday, they both had colds and I wasn't sure if we were going to do anything for Halloween. Luckily by the evening they were feeling ok and we went to music class and then to our friend's who have twin girls the same age. The kids enjoyed each other's company and loved eating suckers!

hanging in the balance

This fall has been amazing and I have been trying to enjoy every moment of it. I have feared for weeks that a big storm will come and do away with "fall". The vibrant colors have lingered for a long time and the weather has been comfortably warm. Beauty is all around. My sweet husband gave me the zoom lens I have been wanting for a long time for our 10th anniversary of being together and I have had fun experimenting. Just like the leaves and this season, I too feel like I am hanging in the balance... between going back to work and being a mother and wife, between trust and fear, between loving my children and disciplining them, between strength and exhaustion, between being busy and being still. I am trying to not lean too far any either direction for fear of falling. For now, I am content to hang.

gardens

I never used to think our life was that busy, but this fall has seemed especially so. So busy in fact, that this was one of the first times we've returned to the Botanic Gardens since summer. It is a little bit of heaven, a place where we find a respite of peace and quiet, and a place where we feel centered and connected to God's beautiful creation. They were preparing the gardens for winter, but I was still able to find some of the last blooms of the season. Note to self: visit more often!

harvest

A friend of mine invited us to go to a pumpkin farm to pick out pumpkins. The farm was very kid freindly and there was lots to do...ride tractors, see baby animals and sit in old cars and planes. Little did we know there were also LOTS of vegetables to pick. They took us out in a hay wagon and we picked to our hearts content...two wagons full! The boys loved the picking, especially the tomatoes and carrots which went directly into little mouths! I thoroughly enjoyed the peacefulness of being in the fields and letting the boys run free. I love fall!

Aspen Allure

We headed up to the mountains this weekend for our last camping trip. We got up late in the evening, and put up our new tent from the REI sale last weekend. It is awesome! The boys loved helping with the fire which we sat by for a long time. Great entertainment for 2 busy little boys and great snuggle time for mama! I was really excited to wake up and shoot some pics of the aspen, but was very disappointed to find my battery was at home. I ventured back up in this afternoon in the freezing rain to try and get some pics before the leaves fall. I am obsessed with the aspen this year and just couldn't get enough last weekend.