Thanksgiving Eve

Everyone is in bed.   I'm enjoying a quiet evening watching Thanksgiving episodes of tv sitcoms. 

I'm so ready for tomorrow!  I can't wait to turn the parade on tv for Jane to watch in the morning.  Of course that's in between her running back and forth to the kitchen to help me bake desserts to take to Thanksgiving dinner.

I'm excited to dress everyone up and head to Brian's mom's house for an afternoon of family.  I love getting all the cousins together on holidays!  I love the pitter patter of little feet running through the hallway chasing each other.  I love how the adults sit back after the meal and talk and relax while the kids spend their own quality time together.  I love how the trip home leaves my heart full and happy.  

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

 

Holy Smokes!

 

I know this picture is lousy!  But it sums up the week we've had.  

We're looking forward to a healthier and happier week!  I took Molly to her class at the library this morning while Jane was at school, and before class we were talking about how Mondays are really not so bad.  Happy to return to routine and a fresh start to the week.  

Here's to a fun week of friends, family, and food!!
 

We Dig Nature

When naptime's a bust, it's time to get out!  The weather is feeling more and more like winter, so we bundled up and headed to the nature park for a hike.

I love fall: the sound of leaves crunching under your feet and the crisp air turning little cheeks pink.  I've been waiting for fall to look just like it did today to take the girls out.  And it was beautiful. 

We had such a nice afternoon searching for the biggest leaf, exploring the "Pooh" tree, stomping in the stream, and hopping along rocks. 

Daylight Savings, I Loathe You!

Hey time change, I remember when you used to be cool!

Now instead of getting more sleep, I get less! And we all love seeing 4:30AM, don't we now?

Aftermath

Sandy is outta here. Along with destruction everywhere, she also left behind fall.  The temperatures have dropped and the leaf (and stick, tree, and debris) clean up has begun.

Here is southeastern PA, hurricane weather is nothing new this time of year.  However, nothing has effected us the way Sandy has.  We were unbelievable blessed with very minor damage, but so many others were far from so lucky.  We've been welcoming family without power this week with warm showers and a meal.  But even they are a far cry from being considered a victims of this storm.

Our little town is slowly starting to recover.  For many, they are on day 4 of no electric.  Roads everywhere have been closed due to down trees.  If lucky enough to have power and be open, store shelves are BARE.  Forget about getting gas.  They are either sold out or without power.  But this is nothing.

The shore.  The beloved vacation spot of so so many.  Destroyed.  Watching video of pictures taken of the destruction is heartbreaking.  There is so much clean up.  So much rebuilding to be done.  Beach just washed away.  In many towns, it will never be the same.  We have friend just waiting to get down there to check on their homes.  The roads to get there have,too, been washed away. 

With the school districts closed, Brian's been home from work.  We've been holed up all week, but ever so thankful.  With power on our street, we enjoyed a fun evening of trick-or-treating with friends.  And today we bundled up and got outside for a bit.  Everyday things seem to become more like normal around here.  As for others up and down the east coast, our prayers are with you.

Stuck in-side fort.  (what is daddy doing??)

Dress-up passes, oh, like 20 minutes.

Picked up toys to vacuum.  Looked up and Molly had gotten in the house!

Trick-or-treat

Feeding Molly...uhh, I mean the cat.  (Not our cat by the way, I'd never leave it outside!)

Checking out the pumpkin patch.

Silly girls sitting on a pumpkin.

Pizza lunch after a busy morning outdoors.