Pumpkins and Pirates, Oh My!

 This Halloween went off perfectly.  The weather was crisp and dry.  The moon was out.  The kids were happy.  Liam had his first trick or treating experience.  He enjoyed it thoroughly!  We had to coach him a bit about not entering people's homes and remembering to say 'thank you' but by the 10th house he was an absolute PRO.  The only reason I brought him back home was because his bag was so heavy (due to someone giving him a Coke...seriously).  Chad and I went out for another 45 minutes after that.  Our new neighborhood is wonderful for trick or treating....lots of families and non-sketchy houses to visit.  I had to tell off a few teens for shooting firecrackers at us but all in all everyone was out behaving themselves.

 When I came home I found this freak show handing out candy.  Sometimes I feel like I really don't know my husband!

Carved

Who says Halloween can't be romantic?!

Falling for Fall

If you've been paying any attention at all over the past several years that I have been blogging you'll know that my favorite season is fall.  A sunny crisp fall afternoon cannot be beat!  We went for a nice long walk after church on Sunday to admire the colors.

Aside from the beautiful leaves, the fuzzy caterpillars are out in abundance!  Liam had to stop and pick up everyone and put it back in the grass as they were trying to cross the trail.  I'm sure those caterpillars didn't know what hit them as they flew through the air and landed in foreign territory!

60

We spent last night celebrating my mom's 60th birthday.  We did the usual routine of eating a wonderful meal, indulging in birthday cake and opening gifts. 

 My mom had requested a 'greek' dinner which I was happy to oblige.  Easy and delicious! 

My mom with her grandboys.  They love her to pieces and it's just a testament to the care and devotion she has invested into their lives.

 And the birthday girl with her cake. 

 Then it was nice for a bit of spoiling and she deserves it!  This lady buys herself nothing.

 A new laptop computer!  Her previous was old and pretty much on it's last legs (although it lasted longer than mine did!).  My brother put all her data on it so it was ready to go when she opened it.

The boys made her a card with sixty things they love about Nana.  She had a hoot reading them out loud.  It took the kids no time at all to think of sixty things...which just goes to show what a great person she is!

She's quirky, no doubt but busylizzy is one in a million!

Watch Out!

Keith's busy building a new configuration for the steps into the garage.  Knowing Keith it will be perfectly planned and built but oh the process!  I just stay safely inside.

Chief in Training

Picking Pumpkins with our Punkins

We go every year to Willowview Farms.  It's our family tradition.  Today it was especially crowded due to gorgeous weather but no matter.  We know the drill and are in and out of there pretty quick!  A tractor ride, pick the pumpkins from the field, put them in the car and visit the animals.  We're old pros.
Enjoy the pictures...they speak for themselves!

Will Work for Food

 A few weeks back, Andrew stained our new fence for us.  I am happy that he will work for food because I cannot often afford his rates :)  He's such a great painter and so generous to us.  I put on a big spread for him and I hope he feels paid up now!

Surf 'n turf with twice baked potatoes (which turned into a potatoe casserole instead) and broccoli.

And then plenty of yummy things to dip in a chocolate fondue.

I'm stuffed!  Really really stuffed.  More self control needed!

Most Pleasantly Surprised

This was the third time I had re-scheduled Liam's very first dentist visit.  I had wanted Keith to do this 'dreaded' task because it's always been his department in the past.  I just find that the kids behave better in public for him that me.  It's a Dad thing!  When I found that once again due to work commitments Keith would not be available to take Liam to the dentist today I was so very tempted to re-book a fourth time.  Then I gave my self a mental smack and just took him myself.  I mean, really, how horrific could it be?

I sat in the waiting room with him and was very nervous.  A new feeling for me as generally I am as calm as cucumber as far as dentists are concerned.  I had no idea how Liam would react to having his teeth checked.  He's just entirely unpredictable as toddlers are.

He just plunked himself up in the chair as comfy as could be and did everything that was asked of him.  I had never taken my wee tots to the dentist before (again, always a Keith task) so I assumed it would sort of a 'get to know you' visit.  Oh no...she did a full cleaning!  Liam was amazing.  The hygenist said that he must have watched his older brother's cleanings but no, he had never been. 

 After his cleaning we waited for the dentist to do the exam.  I walked up to Liam to give him a high five for being so good but he silently but very sternly pointed me back to my chair in the corner.  Okay then.

Dr. Lo examined his teeth and used his cavity detector to happily announce he is cavity-free.  His bite is a bit off from having a soother but I was happy to tell him that soother days are gone now.  Hopefully his teeth will come down nicely now that he's tossed it.

Phew....what could have been a most nerve-wracking and embarrassing 20 minutes was a breeze.  Liam, YOU ROCK!

What's Inside?

What's Always In Your Fridge?

Thanks to Trace my Australian blogger friend from whom I borrow this post idea!

1. Milk - three gallons a week for our family!
2. Yogurt - Liam eats it every single day.
3. Ranch Dressing - my children love this as a condiment.  Since fussy eaters are not allowed in my house they have to finish all food on their plates at dinner.  Ranch helps the unliked foods go down easier.
4. Ketchup - every Canadian household has a bottle of Heinz in the fridge, right?
5. Cheese - a staple.  I always have a block of mozza or cheddar or marble on the go
6. Pro-Biotics - for those upset tummys
7. Yeast - for my pathetic attempts at buns, breads and baking
8. Jams - Nathan is our resident toast eater and loves peanut butter and jam on toast.  Favorites are strawberry and apricot
9. Veggies - I always have onions, potatoes (yes I keep them in the fridge against common practice) carrots and celery
10. Water - a cold jug of water is always available for drinking.  Juice is a treat and not often found at our house

Thanksgiving Stuffing

Turkey dinner with the usual suspects.  It was a great meal...mom's dinners always are delicious.

Unwisely, we thought it might be okay to skip Liam's nap today and even though the food tasted good it didn't go down well with the continual reprimands and disciplining we had to do with that boy.  

Even if Liam wasn't sweet the dessert was.  Keith took it upon himself to bake up a pumpkin cheesecake and it was delicious.  

 Thankfully, Liam was very content to watch a few episodes of his new DVD 'Auto-B-Good'.  A very good animated series with lessons on the fruits of the spirit.  Liam needed a lesson or two on these tonight!

  We played crockinole with Dad and I beating Chad and Keith!  I'll admit that I have no talent at all in this game but I enjoy aggravating my father with my horrible and aimless shots.

 My mom gave me this quilted table runner as a belated anniversary gift.  It goes really nicely on my dining room table.  Thanks, Mom!

And so ends our wonderful 'long' weekend.  Back to making lunches (for Nathan anyhow!) and routine.  It was nice to be lazy for one extra day.  Thankful for all the blessings in my life and I could not possibly list them all!

Looking for Leaves

Sunday afternoon we headed to a favorite place.  We were on a quest to crunch through some fall leaves.  We were a bit premature as they are mostly still green and tightly clinging to the branches. 

 Liam found a few leaves to play with.  He enjoyed the 'forest' walk.

The sun was streaming through the trees and there was a slight chill to the air.  Fall is without a doubt my favorite season!

 Now, I'm sure from looking at this picture you now know where we spent our afternoon.  After walking all the trails we headed to the sanctuary and visitor's centre.  The kids always get a bit excited when they see the monks walking around.  It's a novel thing to them I suppose!

I think we'll be back again soon when the leaves are in 'autumn' mode.