Happy Halloween

We let the girls pick out their own costumes. Emerson is "Barbie, Island Princess". Rileigh is a Hello Kitty princess. Kate is our little flower. This time of year gets really hectic for us, between parties, school fairs, and other Autumn festivals. I still cannot believe the social lives of 3 little girls can keep us so busy. What will happen when they get older and have even more activities??!! Yikes!

We always take pictures of the girls in the same spot, in front of the fireplace. I take a picture about once a week so we can watch Kate progress her first year. I think that it is so funny that in every picture we have of Kate she is either trying to get away or crying. She is usually the happiest baby, but boy, does she hate to have her pcture taken.

Kate's first Halloween. Candy will have to wait.

"We Believe!!!" Again ...

In honor of our beloved World Champions Red Sox (and yes that is a replica Fenway scoreboard).

We're off to the World Series ... AGAIN!!!!

We may have been down 3 games to 1, but that didn't stop us!! We love the Sox!!!! Emerson last night in the dinner prayer prayed that the Red Sox would win last night. Yes, someday we will explain that praying for outcomes of sporting events is not appropriate. But last night, Mike and I thought that the Sox needed all the help they could get. So we didn't say a word and just hoped it might help. So Lyons boys, would you like to make a bet against the Chatwins girls?????

One little, Two little, Three little monkeys ...

Oh' Rileigh!! When we drove into my friend Becky's driveway to pick Rileigh up this is the scene we found. Rileigh was playing with Light Sabers with Becky's son and his friend. She of course, was the "bad guy". She always wants to be the bad guy. Becky has the cutest little daughter who Rileigh LOVES! But no, not even playing dolls would deter her from playing her favorite game of "Bad Guys".

Kate is FINALLY starting to get her fist tooth. I am taking as many pictures of her while she is still our little baby. I always get a little sad when their teeth come in. And not just because teething is no fun. But I love their little toothless smiles. She is growing too fast.

I went to check on Kate after her nap and this is what I found. I just love these monkeys!

Enjoying Autumn

The past few weeks have been both good but trying. We are so grateful for the love of our family and friends. We will keep you posted on things as we hear more.

We love Autumn in New England!!! It is so beautiful. I wish everyone could be here with us and see the most majestic sights that we see merely by walking out our door. New England has a special spirit in the Fall. There is so much to see and do and we have been trying to do it all!!

APPLE PICKING

Last weekend we took part in a time honored New England tradition of apple picking. The girls had a blast. We went with our good friends.

(I cannot get enough of this baby. We are calling this year "the year of the Kate Lovefest")

APPLE BAKING

What to do with all those apples? Apple tarts and pies, of course. Here we are baking an apple/almond tart. The girls LOVE to bake with me. Together we are becoming gourmet cooks.

The BIG E

Every state has a state fair. But when you live in New England, your states are VERY small. So we combine all of our state fairs into one great big one called the "Big E". I remember going as a child, and now it is so sweet to bring my own daughters. Along with the normal state fair activites like rides and petting animals, each New England state has a building that is somewhat a replica of a famous building in that state. Each state's building highlights their agriculture and industry. It really is an amazing event to go see. Mike LOVES it! This year I really was fine to skip it with three girls now. But it was Mike who INSISTED we go. I am so glad, it was a great time.

BRIMFIELD

Martha Stewart fans should know what Brimfield is (she loves it and writes about it annually. For us once might be it). Brimfield is the largest anique show anywhere in the country. For one weekend a year, in the Fall, of course, this little town of Brimfield turns farm fields into a tent city with "antique" vendors. You really have to sort through it, though. MOST (and I really mean MOST) of the items for sale are garbage. But we had so much fun spending the day there together. Mike has been working so long and it was such a treat just to be with him. We did manage a couple of great finds. I found this beautiful silver platter with a monogrammed "C" on it dating back to the 1800's. I also find a silver plate and cup for display in Kate's room. Along with the antique vendors, there are also artisans. We bought the most beautiful painting of a girl walking the beach. It reminds us of our daughters and our great love, the ocean.

Here is the platter on display in our China Hutch