a quiet fall weekend and a big congratulations wish

there's something about october that brings about the start of the holiday excitement and a much needed relief from the hot and humid florida weather. we have our fall decorations up and our harvest wreath and hay set up by the front door.....we've made a couple loaves of pumpkin bread and are playing on the porch and in the yard again. its really here. and the start of fall makes me more excited than ever this year.

we spent last weekend together, just the three of us. no plans no parties no places we had to be. we got our errands done on friday and ate five guys(we're considering maybe it should be a weekly thing....its just THAT good!! hehehe) saturday morning we woke up with an idea to take part in a special dog walk on livingston park boardwalk. we took cole and ventured out in the refreshing cool weather for a long morning walk through the wooded boardwalk followed by a bagel breakfast at einstiens. something about being outside and taking our time. its weekends like these that stand out to me....time moves a little slower and i notice the little things that make me smile about tyler and samantha and the wonderfully full life we are living.

and all the while the baby in my belly kicks and jabs and squirms constantly...reminding me of his or her arrival and how its just around the corner. ahhh! there sure is a lot to be thankful for and when i feel the baby's big kicks or read another story with samantha in her pink bed i try to breath it all in. soak it all up. the countdown is on....9 weeks to go and i am so excited(and easily overwhelmed) but mostly just excited.......here are a few pictures from our homey weekend.

ps. notice the giant wolf in the background....dude this wolf loved cole and wanted to make friends. woah!



sorting through samantha's newborn clothes one afternoon...samantha tried all of her newborn things on her babies and had so much fun "helping" to sort and fold.

lots of driveway time....rainboots on the wrong feet and no pants...oh well

late morning trip to the water spouts with some friends....donuts and water fun....whats better than that?


one of the first things samantha LOVES to do when she goes over to mimi and pop pop's is to get up on her big bed and play peoples or babies or read books. she occupied herself for so long talking and singing and reading to her little babies...wish i had it on video.

friday night.....a BIG HAPPY announcement.....my brother proposed!! Blake and Mandy are engaged! He popped the question and surprised Mandy with a romantic date night on friday. Congratulations to you both and we can't wait to help you celebrate and plan a beautiful wedding. love you two!!

snuggling and bedtime stories....

on thursday mornings tyler sets aside time from his busy work schedule to make a special trip to the beach, just the two of them. they ride the tram and enjoy being outdoors and spend the morning at the beach.

forgot to add this picture to the last post....this captures samantha's experience at the Disney on Ice night more than any of my words could describe. sitting...starring...holding that same pretzal and wand for so long. i love her little face.