Saturday, November 26, 2011

a thanksgiving miracle

on the shallowest of levels, i am thankful for two things.  a double oven and avoiding a thanksgiving disaster.  the double oven is self-explanatory.  let me explain the near catastrophe.

i blame pinterest.  and the nester.  

i had seen beautiful ways to decorate and make centerpieces using nature.  about a week ago the girls and i set off with large yellow buckets and walked around a park near our house collecting hundreds of pretty acorns. 

 i filled tall cylindrical vaces with them and balanced candles on top. 
 the adult table looked stunning and i was proud of my frugality.  

a day before thanksgiving i was putting out the silverware and noticed a couple *maggots* on the table.  what the?!   i exited the scene and called in ben to deal with them.  he scooped them away and left.  when i reentered i saw a couple more on the floor.  what the?!  ben did his thing.  

 you probably know where this is going.  
we looked into my assortment of beautiful vases and saw HUNDREDS OF MAGGOTS HATCHING OUT OF THE ACORNS.  big plump maggots.  

the room was quarantined and cleaned.  

thanksgiving was saved.  
hallelujah we noticed before sitting down with our friends for our feast.  

the best part is that i hadn't told a soul and later that day i got a flower delivery from my mom.  she sent me a new centerpiece.  love her!


on the kid table, the girls and i made a thankful tree.  we wrote things we are thankful for on the leaves.


it was our first turkey and the first time ben used a carving knife we got at our wedding.  it has been in a box for 9 years.

the kids.  they are getting to be really good friends.

this is my friend kim.  long story short, they moved here from ohio (into our neighborhood) at the same time as us.  we bumped into each other at kinsley's school and stood outside for about 30 minutes wide eyed at all we have in common.  she has been a godsend.  it was so fun to spend this day with her.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

a saturday

we have been basking in perfect fall weather for about 3 straight months.  this weekend we checked out a state park and fell in love with NC once again.  

i have finally stopped taking automatic pictures and keep it on manual all the time.  it's been a fun challenge.


however, far too many pictures look like this:  it would be easier if it didn't involve math.

photogenic kids make any photographer look good.


ben's exact quote in a very defeated tone: "this is a path to nowhere."

back at home caroline was doing what she does best...pushing all boundaries.  (she really was sturdier that she looks)  (i was more focused on shutter speed than safety)  (the ladder got put away right after this) (not my proudest moment)

in other caroline news, she graduated to a big girl carseat.  it was not installed for 3 days and she INSISTED on being buckled all the time.  we would all be in another room and she would happily be buckled in all alone.

she loves to dance in the car.  praise hands.  (for the record, ben was driving) 


Tuesday, November 1, 2011

a fun night to be a mom

it was so fun and they were so cute.  such a great night!

hallie showing some lovely hat-head.  

grandma jane made the dorthy dress.  completely darling.

 these are some of my favorite sister pictures ever.

caroline is the reason we make friends wherever we go.  such a goof!
 oh, caroline.

hands behind the back wasn't my idea...kinsley stood that way and hallie is always mimicking her big sister.   




caroline made it about 2 houses in the stroller.

 then she "helped" push the stroller.  (notice the pair of little feet)

then she ditched the stroller and waved to all the neighbors.  she was such a hit.

 baby girl, do you have any idea how much i love you??????