BEAT YA!

We've actually had our tree up for a week now. Before you start thinking we're completely insane (because you know we kind of are), remember that we'll be gone for Thanksgiving and then two weeks later head out for a little while too. So we had to enjoy it while we could.

Setting up the tree was our family home evening...but we were multi tasking and getting Shannon ready for her bath too (hence, the nakedness)

Swaddling clothes? No, just a diaper blow out and mom didn't have time to get him dressed. Plus, I don't think baby Jesus was this hefty.

Adam looks THRILLED about being dressed like his sister.

My Sweet, Patient Adam

A Da Vinci in the Bathroom

Posh Spice inspired me with the Andy Warhol she hung in her closet. After receiving a copy of a Da Vinci at the art museum, I framed it and put it in my bathroom to compliment the Renoir that was already there.

An apple a day

My dad and I took a trip to the local apple orchard and came away with a bountiful harvest. We've been going to the Fairmount Orchard since I can remember. I even carried on a gallon of apple cider to BYU (back when you could do that stuff). If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, the 3 a day I'm eating is considered life insurance.

winesap, mutsu, granny smith

Yes Dana, this is an Arkansas Black...jealous?

A "Melissa" day

1st stop...Penzey's spices

2nd stop...Birmingham Bake and Cook

3rd stop...Whole Foods

Adam already HATES shopping

Araskya and I had a great day indulging our senses!

The Things We Do For LOVE

I made fun of my brother for buying soy milk (he was always a bit of a hippy). But with my dairy/wheat free diet, I've been dying for some cereal. I broke down and bought the silly soy and was in heaven with a bowl of Kix (there's something about cold milk and crunchy cereal the makes me weak). Then, at Whole Foods I bought some soy ice cream (or as I call it foe cream). Definitely not the same, but it'll do.

A New Roll

Check out the new hunk of chunk above Adams' wrist

Up To

I've been MIA lately from the blogging world. Here's why...Shannon's birthday is coming up; I'm trying to get a Christmas present finished in order to get in here in time; and Steve's been hogging the computer do so school work (so selfish!)

A Soft, Sad Goodbye

This past weekend, on a perfect fall day…blue skies, crisp breeze, changing leaves...our friends said goodbye to their 4 month old son. I haven’t been to a funeral in quite some time, but as Clancy kissed the casket and Christie took a rose from the top, I was reminded that heart ache is a physical state of being.
To Zander…you taught us much; we are forever changed; you will never be forgotten.

The Great Pumpkin (week)

This week my mom came down to help out and spend time with the grandkids. Unfortunately Shannon had a cold, but we managed to have some fun.

Made Bread

Araksya taught us to make her special whole wheat bread that doesn't resemble a door stopper. This woman can smell how much salt there is when she's cooking. That's my next goal.

Sweet Success

Attended Shannon's preschool Halloween party.

Carved some pumpkins and made roasted pumpkin seeds.

Steve and Shannon demonstrate what the pumpkin will look like

Attended the Ward Trunk or Treat
Planned a date...then ended up at the Honda dealership getting our car fixed. We EVENTUALLY made it to the Cheesecake Factory after sitting in rush hour traffic on 280(in seperate cars but continuing our date via cell phone), but darn it, we were going to make it because we have so few opporunitites to eat without children.

Went Trick or TreatingThe GREAT BIG Pumpkin

Adam sleeping on the job

Stared at this cuttie
Who is that good lookin' boy?

Thanks for a great week Mom!