An affair to dismember

I really wanted to throw a How to Host  Murder party for Halloween this year.

We really need to make efforts at making friends, we never do anything fun for halloween, I like thinking about throwing parties. So we did it.

It was a lot of work, a lot of planning, a lot more money than I was planning, a lot of co-conspiring with Brooke who threw her own party (a major plus to having sisters), and by the time it was the night of I really didn't want to be throwing it.

But afterward? I was thrilled we did. 

I was so pleased with how everything turned out and made my Halloween weekend very Haloweenie.

The premise of the game was a engagement party for a ghoulish couple.

All their ghoulish friends we're invited.

So here were the invitations, hand dyed by yours truly.

We had 6 guests and all arrived in fantastic costumes.

But I'm new to this whole party throwing and getting everything served in a hostly manner basically means I only got stage shots. No people. 

:( 

Nate's mummy costume was a dream too.

The table was spookily set, and each plate had a sinister menu to look over.

We also had the whole house candlelit.

It was very mood setting and picturesque, but visibility wasn't great.

Especially when people had to read words like "candelabra" 

I guess if you don't read romance novels the word is lost on you.

(and see our new shelves in the background? I love them.)

Our new shelves/desk played an integral roll in the beverage/dessert service.

And do you see the wee white figure in the background preparing hors d'oeuvres?

That's King Aldrinktothat (nate in mummy costume)

such a pity....

We even spooked our furniture out for the hors d'oeuvres portion

Oh and I guess the world series was on too....

Anyway, I had a grand old time with this.

Next year? Halloween party, no game.

We got bored of it and just read out the results in the end.

But I think we all enjoyed my delicious food and being in costume :)

utah v cal

Our only Utah game of the season happened the weekend of the black-eye too.

It was a monumental experience taking Brig to his first Utah game. 

He got a pretty decent Utah wardrobe when nannie came to watch him in September so he pretty much wears his colors every Saturday. 

But actually being tat the game in his colors was fantastical.

These daddies with their babes were pretty cute.

for the first quarter that is...

Cleo is such a grown up girl. 

It's funny to think she and Brig are only 3 months apart cause most the time she's acting like she's 3 already. Oh, and she and that daddy are two peas in a pod :)

Cleo was loving a little "B" time.

They shared seats, sippy cups, popcorn, skittles, and all manner of game food.

for the first quarter...

Then Brig got restless and then we found this and then he wouldn't leave for the rest of the game.

I guess it was okay we stayed he a while since the game was a sham.

Really, a stroke of genius for AT&T Park for putting a stationary trolly for my boy to "MMM mmmm" all game in.

lawn boys

Scenes like this warm my soul :)

smoooch those two...

bruiser....

Seriously

Brig has become quite the bruiser. He's really pretty tough and doesn't really cry when he falls but he's always covered in bruises and even when he's not, people assume his power veins on his forehead are bruises too. So bruiser he is. 

This one was the daddy of all daddy's to date though. It was one of those mothering moments where I saw the point I could have prevented and I didn't. I felt horrible. 

It was the first day Brooke was here. We were trying to get out the door and off to lunch. She was finishing dolling her girls. I went out to the car to figure out the 3 across thing. Then Brooke and the girls joined me in the garage. Little man must have thought I was leaving without him. He opened the garage door (which has a spring and makes it very difficult). He peeked out and saw me in the backseat. He edged his way to the top stair. I thought "I should go get him" but then I almost had his pain-in-the-butt car seat secured. Then Brooke saw him and said "hi". Then a thud. Then a wail. Then a split cheek that immediately started swelling. I have concluded that he hit his cheekbone on the corner of the 2nd concrete stair. I dabbed it clean, did not put a band-aid on it cause they stress a Briggers out, gave him a dose of tylenol for good measure, and we were off to our fun filled day. He really seemed no worse for the wear. But the horrible instant had longer repercussions.  1 week + of a black eye, cancellation of our family pictures, and a very guilty momma.

Oh the lessons we learn. 

A visit from the Jackson girls

I can't even say how excited I was to have my sister come out

and how flattered and thankful I was that she made the sacrifice to come.

Casue' its really no easy feat making it to norcal solo.

Or I guess I should say our day at the beach?

It's the only day I took any pictures...

But the above is Poppy, who on getting suited up immediately ran to the water with her pail and kindly got the assistance of a stranger to fill it up for her.

That girl is daring, knows what she wants, and is far to clever in getting her way.

Brig always loves a little sand.

Even though on our way out the door little man did a head dive from the top of the garage stairs.

Just wait till I get to the black eye post....

This little one is a sweet heart. A very worried about great white sharks sweetheart but I loved watching her older sister pop-tart and play along with her mommies "stars to a china doll" trick.

I had a lot reminiscing of Brooke and I. She older sistered me a lot. And I loved her like Poppy loves Minie. 

(Brook pseudo-Aunt Chrissy)

We lazed around, went to the beach, attended Sonoma county church, and even ventured into the city.

But, none of that will be documented in these pictures.

Because as much fun as it was, we were busy, and exhausted, and well didn't take pictures.

It was lovely though, even though Brooke had a few revelations of her older-sistering that got me question having kids so close (my stunting partner in high school she assigned to me... nonsense).

Thank you Brookie.

oh...

And I'm sorry if I am a ornery pregnant lady :(

Annual Harvest Party

Our nicest friends in these parts, the Ambridge's, throw a Harvest Party every year. They are fantastic hosts and really have the best parties. Yummy soups, the variety a pot-luck brings, their amazing yard, neighbors and friends, and a hay ride? A hit...

Brig's favorite attraction was their playground where he insisted climbing up the ladder 100x,

but the tractor was a close second.

silly boy.

My beautiful friend Amy.

I really doubt I will ever meet a kinder person.

Brig opened and closed the tractor door while it was parked.

Then it was our turn for the hay ride.

This is Brig signing "more" cause he was 'ret to go.

The hay ride took you down to the haunted gazebo in their pasture.

(hauntified by yours truly)

Brig didn't really want to get off the hay ride so Nate dragged him up to get his treats.

Then the fun fall affair was over.

We didn't stay long because we were awaiting the arrival of Brookie but it was perfect.

Sometime short and sweet is.

the model train show

While we were at Train Town Brig spotted a piece of paper with a train on it.

 He wouldn't let go of it and hauled it around all day doing "mmm MMM's". 

Turns out the piece of paper was a flyer for the Santa Rosa home show and Redwood Empire model train show, at the fair grounds, in October. We decided we better take him if he was getting that excited over the flyer.

So we did.

Nate and I concurred it was the best $14 dollars we have spent on Brig. 

He was in heaven. I was a little nervous that he would destroy the model trains and brought the stroller as a "just in case". However, there was no need. It was hilarious and kind of bizarre at the same time. Brig 100% got the model trains and l-o-v-e-d them. Not once did he try grab at them, cross the ropes, or anything. He just knew we watch trains of course. This particular train brig chased around for at least 20 minutes. Chasing after one only to have the other coming in the opposite direction to meet him. It was all at perfect eye level for him, he kept pointing, politely walking around the other observes, and had that grin on his face the whole time. 

(well fine, see for yourself...)

We kind just let him roam the place and on his own accord he found this set then just plopped himself down and reverently observed.

We ended the visit properly with a real live train ride.

Unfortunately, we had to ride the diesel engine and not the steam engine cause it was out of water.

I myself am partial to the steam engines. Diesels are never cool on Thomas & Friends :(

It was a fantastical idea Brig. Thank you for bringing this wonderful event to our attention. We shall make it an annual thing.... even if I am a little nervous that I met several of  the "Brig in 30 years" types with backyards full of model trains etc etc.

pumpkins.

I kind of don't even want to post this because pumpkins were a horrible experience this year.

We tried 3x to go get pumpkins first week in October, all to no avail because pumpkin patched don't want to be open when it's raining? 

who doesn't just put rain gear on? 

I guess a lot of people....

Then we made it to this local, family owned, trying to be a good member of our community patch, which we went to last year, only to enjoy the grounds, pick our 2 pumpkins, and pay $35 for them.

sickening.

I was wanting to spend $35 on pumpkins, just not 2 pumpkins, and I was just kicking myself for not picking up the 3 for $10 I kept seeing at my daily haunt to the home depot.

Anyway, Brig was cute so I guess that can be worth something.

Again, I'm always impressed that he knows just what to do.

He frolicked through the lines of pumpkins

then climbed on atop one

and fell off

then he picked his perfect pumpkin.

We discovered he loves wagons.

and he happily bumped along with his pumpkin while daddy ran them about.

We observed the resident bovine.

And the moo they gave him was the loudest most up close and personal moo one can get.

He was a little scared.

My busy boy had a busy old time

and his ornery pregnant mother even got chinese food for dinner after the unpleasant experience.

Some how it made things better... even if I cheer the day Target finally overtakes this little farm each time I drive by.

train town take 2

I really would like to be posting for halloween right now... but back tracking must be done.

TRAIN TOWN!!

Little did we know when Nate found train town and thought it would be a fun family outing that our son would soon become an obsessor of trains. With the end of warm weather approaching, we thought one more visit was absolutely necessary. 

The first spotting of our arriving train.

It is so funny how as parents our whole world has changed axises. Nate and I for one, would never have thought that a 45 min drive to a dingy little train town would be like christmas morning for us. 

Watching this boy get excited and seeing the joy on his face really makes our world go round.

Brig clapped and cheered when we got seated then promptly started waving "bye bye" and doing the "more" sign.

It is a quick little ride that stops in a "tiny town" with a petting zoo.

Brig loved running through the little houses this visit then boarded the train early of course.

Brig  found the school house to be particularly charming with all the books to look at.

We ended our visit with a ride on the carousel.

As far as rides go, this is as intense of a ride as Brig will do. Actually, it was really impressive that he let his daddy leave his side and was seated on his own horse! And really, I don't think his eyes met mine once even though his daddy pointed me out at every turn.

Our visit was maybe only an hour and half with exploring, train riding, and one carousel ride in the gamut, but it was perfection for this small fry and the big fries even made it home in time (with our favorite hot wings) for the Utah game.

And that my friends, is what we call success.