pumpkin patch 2011

We enjoyed the Dallas Arboretum yesterday, traipsing around, looking at the assortment of pumpkins (they used over 50,000 pumpkins to decorate the landscape and also build 3 pumpkin houses!), and of course, choosing a couple to take home and carve. The kids enjoyed the afternoon and we snapped some traditional annual pictures. I couldn't find the one from last year (old computer died, only so many pics got transferred). Regardless, my kid are looking so grown-up to me!

I did find a photo of me and Mags (age 22 months) upon our return to Chicago, prior to Curren's birth. My how, time flies!

I love the fall season and all it brings.

Fall 2009, a blast from the past

what's fall without a visit to Pumpkin City?

Last year, October 2009, with cousin Jacob

This year's sibling pic, October 2010, aka "do-you-know-how-hard-it-is-to-get-all-of-them-to- both-smile-AND-look-at-the-camera-simultaneously?!" (if you're a mama, of course you do)

Curren was in *hog heaven* both driving this car, the tractor above, and the train (not pictured)

New tradition: Back-To-School's Eve

Inspired by this post and this post, I decided to replicate something similar for Maggie's first day of preschool on Friday.

Granted, I just did the meal. What's a girl to do with a 20-month old underfoot and a 6-week old in the Moby wrap (btw, my favorite baby carrier, go get one if you have an under-1 year old)?

Maggie picked the meal: parmesan chicken (Ina's recipe to which I added bamboo sticks for more fun eating), edamame (Aron and I had artichokes), risotto with asiago cheese, blueberries, and the best-ever-double-chocolate-chunk cookies for dessert (Maggie and I made them together and this is one of those recipes I've modified and feel I've finally perfected; they are addictive!).

We talked about school, what she's most excited about, and how she can be a blessing to her teachers and friends. I'm looking forward to the school year!

And I'm looking forward to future "BTSEs" and going more all-out with decor. This year it was a simple meal shared by our family. But, we loved it. And I need simple and manageable right now.

The Wisest Magi

The oft' forgotten, yet no less important, fourth Magi 'Gnomi' (Fontannini got it wrong... who says there were only three wise men!!!) was captured on film this Christmas at the McKay's. The rare photograph displays Gnomi's keen ability to calm the baby Jesus with mad free-style skills and offerings of fresh cut daisies.

Yes, our children will grow up each Christmas saying 'They forgot Gnomi daddy, they forgot Gnomi!' Each year on bent knee, I'll faithfully remind their sad little eyes of one unshakable truth... 'Little Gnomi is in your heart! No one can ever take that away from you... remember that! Gnomi is in your heart...'

A Feast To Remember

Our night at the Hotel Del Coronado with family was a beautiful memory in the making. Thanks to Ma and Pa McKay for springing for the crew!!! The cast of Lamb's Players invited us to experience Christmas dinner with the 'Marshall Family', a well-to-do turn of the century Coronado family. With fantastic food, loving family, and Christmas song we'll all remember the outing for years to come! Merry Christmas to you and yours.
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