Our Halloween Party

We just couldn't resist a Halloween party in our fun new house. Costumes were optional. We provided popcorn, mulled apple cider and a warm crackling fire. The kids couldn't believe they were not invited! Just into the party, Asher snuck upstairs in a costume he put together from my closet. He was sure we wouldn't recognize him, but I would know those long legs anywhere.

Princess Leia & The Scarey-Clown-Man ( with Asher)

Ninja Rae & Dr. Rock Climber

John & Peter

Nerdy Couple

Peace & Quiet (with Colette)

I am a terrible in the moment photographer so I missed lots other fun guests. It was a great time.

My Mountains

I still love the mountains. We took a family trip down home this fall. We got to celebrate my step-brother's wedding and enjoyed a full weekend of family time. We had plenty of fun with Haaz Sue, Aunt LaLa, Papaw 'Tucky and MiMi, Uncle Phil and Jessica, and Aunt Linz and Trey.

Brandon and Ashley were married in the same church as Jeff and I. What a treat to experience that church again.

Asher was the proud catcher of the garter. He was a little confused and tried to give it back.

Our kids are always looking for a party. They danced their sweet little hearts out. The favorite song was "Shake Your Booty". It has since become a family fave.

These pictures are in my dad's back yard. We are soaking up a beautiful fall day.


No more front teeth.

A Warm Rain

I just can't tell you how much we enjoy living at the Balcon House as we call it. It has a huge back yard with a stream bed that run across it. The bed is only full right after a rain and I guess it is really a drainage ditch and mosquito incubator. But that aside, our kids love having "water" on our land. The last warm rain, Winter begged to wade. Ignoring the contamination levels of suburbian runoff and trying to be spontaneous, I agreed. Violet didn't need an invitation or permission. She really never does.

Wildlife

Jeff had to be out of town one Sunday. So we headed to the Lone Elk Park. Very neat place. It has a bird sanctuary and some elk and bison. Like everything else in Saint Louis it is free. We did take some pictures of all that, but these are just as wild and full of life.

My First Half!

My dear friend Lori encouraged me to join her in a half marathon in Valmeyer, Illinois. Lori's running partner, Diana has connections in Valmeyer and it is only about 45 minutes from our place in Saint Louis. Diana and her man hosted us the night before the race. We walked to the start! The weather was amazing. The course was gorgeous. The company was the best. The giant breakfast after the race was good too.

Lori spent the next night with us in Saint Louis and saw our little world here. What a sweet time we had. I hope she can come back with the whole gang next time. I miss her tons.

Celebrating 7

Our sweet Asher is seven! He told his sister today, "Your brother is not a little boy anymore. He is growing into a young man." He later questioned me, "If I ask Winter and she says it's o.k., then can I call her butt-brain?" Growing up is little steps forward and little steps back, I suppose.

We had the Nottingham family out from Indiana to celebrate with us. They all slept at our new place, fourteen people total...all sleeping in beds! We all journeyed downtown to a Cardinals game minus the two-and-under crowd. Sorry no pictures.

Emma trying out our popular rope swing. It is a campus favorite.

New skate board and armor (as Asher refers to it). This picture is not a testimony to his skill level.

We invited all the neighborhood ninjas to celebrate.

We made our first ever pinata.

The exploding volcano cake!It is easy to draw a crowd of kids any Saturday afternoon on a seminary campus.

Still Lifes

I love to just watch my children get completely lost in what they are doing. They work recklessly with no worry of mistakes.

The somebody decides to eat the finger paint.

Lake Erie with Best Friends

Asher and I got to spend time with our best friends. We crashed the Ford Family Vacation in Vermilion, Ohio. It was such a gift. Jeff took the girls back to St. Louis while Asher and I headed to the lake.

hoping for that perfect wave!

our charming boys!

I wish I had a picture of me a Sue. We are lucky to have some of the boys since I am not sure we stopped talking for five days! It was a priceless time together.

Snuggling Sisters

Violet loves to give good night hugs and kisses and thinks it is hilarious when I pretend to put her in bed to sleep with her sister.

Keeping Busy

These are a little out of order (we are still in the apartment), but they really capture Violet's dynamite-comes-in-small-packages personality. This answers the question of what Violet does during home school. I often wonder if we are giving Asher ADD :)

Asher and Winter are all about keeping their crazy little sister safe. Here is something they rigged up so she can sit at the big table and color "without risk of injury".

The Butterfly House

We visited the Butterfly House at Faust Park. The conservatory displays 60 different species of butterflies in free flight! They are everywhere! You often need to dodge them. There is a strict no touch policy...try that with a 6, 4 and 1 year old. Later, we had a picnic in the park. Violet was very taken with the "dogs".

32 Balcon Estates St. Louis, MO

We have moved! We are now living in an amazing house that the seminary owns. We are still on campus, but have a ton of space. You really must see it to believe it. This is the only picture I snapped on moving day. I''ll try to post some pictures of the house soon.

Hummus Among Us

Violet loves hummus. She doesn't want crackers or pita just a spoon. Maybe this is because I ate so much of it when she was in-utero. It is a family favorite, but she is over the top!

This is her I-can-smile face.