Kiddies in consuming costumes

Happy Halloween! Here's a few pictures of the little ones I love in their respective costumes. I know, I act as if they are my own wee ones (it's due to a lack of a pet, I imagine):



I have always loved Halloween. This will be one of the only years in my entire life, I believe, that I haven't dressed up. I am sad that we don't get trick-or-treaters, because I love to see the little ones toddling around, trying to stay upright in their massive, overstuffed outfits. Tonight Kim & Tom brought Max the monkey over, then we went to a movie. If you haven't seen "Gone Baby Gone" I highly recommend. We also got to have dinner with Tiffany & Brian, who were in town for a few days. We had a great time catching up, laughing, and talking about our lives & plans. They were giving us some very good advice about home purchasing, which we have soliciited from many sources.

Visit to KC

Last Thursday Liz & I took off to KC to see Janell before the little man arrives. The drive through Iowa was as uneventful as ever, except for the fact that we reminisced about high school prom over a number of formerly popular Boyz II Men ballads. We tried to complete some Mad Libs, but the lack of items to view--mostly just grass, trucks, cows, farms--left little for the imagination. We had such a blast with Janell! Plus we were really productive in helping her get some of those last-minute planning and organizing tasks ready before Baby Doudrick comes home. There was some returning and exchanging of gifts, and then getting items ready for the baby's room and for the hospital. Now they just need their little infant! We also had a pregnancy photo shoot, following Kim's very artistic style, but I know her pictures are much cooler than my attempt at copying. Some of them did turn out really well and it's a great memento for Janell to have to remember this time. Plus, nearly all of us died laughing as Janell was trying to contort herself and Liz was serving as the human backdrop. The three of us also went to play Bunco at Janell's friend's house, and it was a fun, racous time. Saturday night Jeff treated us to Italian as we talked about the details of labor and delivery. Apparently we're all pretty desenstized to shop talk about babyland. Our drive home yesterday was pretty quiet; I think lack of sleep finally set in. Corey and I had dinner when I got home and I fell asleep at 7:00.

Cheers to the happy couple!

CR called me yesterday: she and Shandiz got engaged! Congratulations, you two! I am very happy to share in your wonderful news. I can't wait to celebrate.

P-A-R-T-Y

Friday night the birthday partygoers started out for pizza. I got caught up on the happenings of Kindergarten, 2nd, 6th and 9th grade, which pretty much just serves as a reminder that I am old. Later we went all back to my mom's to have cake--the white kind with the really good sugary frosting and DQ ice cream cake. Love. It. The birthday boys & girls also opened their birthday presents. It was almost a reinactment of Christmas with the wrapping paper and people sprawling all over the living room. That night the Despins & I went back to my house and sat up talking with Corey for a while. And then since we are old, we went to bed pretty early. Saturday Krista & Tom left for an anniversary getaway, so Nathan & I kicked it. There was some napping, playing at the swingset, hanging out with the dog, watching Sesame Street and the highlight of the afternoon was going to the train depot with my mom. We knew we would be in awe and he was. There was a lot of climbing onto the train cars, watching the model trains go by, and then we headed to the children's portion of the museum. He had a blast and I am sure there will be many return visits to see the trains. Bonus points for Auntie!

Birthday central

This past weekend was a preview of things to come. Birthdays for little family members. Man, they are fun. My parents and I went to the Despins to celebrate Nathan's birthday, and this coming weekend, there will be an extravaganza celebration for: Amanda, Abby, Nathan & Keagan. Pretty much if my future kids aren't born in the months of Oct or Nov, they can forget about having a birthday party! But through my observations as an aunt, I've come to realize what I think are some of the laws of children:

• Any toy you buy them will definitely excite them--especially if they've asked for it. However, often the presents that don't necessarily come from the toy store bring even greater joy.

Case in point: Sarah & Ryan brought their dog, Bailey. Bailey is a beagle/pug mix, and more Nathan's size than his current pet, Lambeau, who more closely resembles a small horse more so than a dog (especially to someone who is 2 feet tall). All of the party guests could have left and as long as Bailey was there, Nathan would have been happy. There could have been no food, no water--except for the dog--and all would have been right with the world.

• Being the guest of honor is hard work. People get tired--heck--all of us guests went to bed before 10:00 pm after the party. Plus, all of that sugar and cake really gets to you.

And finally, a question: do babies & toddlers get birthday party hangovers? Just planning for the upcoming weekend.

My darling husband

I got this from Kim's blog. I such a plagarizer/idea stealer. My brother-in-law said I should do this one because he commented that the plagarizing/stealing is kind of fun to follow. Thanks, Tom.

• What is his name? Corey (most everyone from college calls him CK. I'm glad it's not tatooed on his arm, however, as the cologne advertising isn't a classic symbol. Plus, tattoos are permanent).
• How long have you been together? Almost 9 years. I know, the mind reels at this.
• How old is he? He'll be 29 in a few weeks. Already planning the big par-tay for next year.
• Who eats more? Definitely him. But when I do, it's mentioned. Like last week when we went out to eat and Corey got a to-go box. I cleaned my plate.
• Who said I love you first? He did.
• Who is taller? He is--about 8". Perfect height where I fit right into his nook area. Plus I don't have to worry about heels.
• Who sings better? I probably sing more on key, but he definitely can sing higher and louder. Just play "Teenage Dirtbag" by Wheatus and you will find out.
• Who is smarter? How do you measure this? We are both smart in our own ways. He definitely has more common sense than I do, however. Plus, humility automatically makes you more qualified in this department.
• Whose temper is worse? Um. Me. That's a unanimous vote.
• Who does the laundry? We do our own. Coercion hasn't worked thus far.
• Who does the dishes? We both do. It's on his chore list but he reminds me, "Why would I want to want to do the dishes?"
  
• Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Which way are you looking at the bed? I'm on the right, if in it.
• Who pays the bills? Mostly Corey. We're working on that one, though.
• Who mows the lawn? The lawn care service.
• Who cooks dinner? Usually me, but he does all the grilling and makes good breakfasts.
• Who drives when you are together? Usually me. I much prefer to be the driver.
• Who is more stubborn? Me. No question. I've been told this would have been excellent preparation as a lawyer.
• Who is the first to admit when they're wrong? Definitely... not... me.
• Whose parents do you see the most? We see them both pretty equally.
• Who kissed who first? He kissed me. Apparently he was shy & was trying to make a great first impression, but I was beginning to wonder...
  
• Who asked who out? Corey asked me out, while standing around a group of people, one of whom was Tom Berrisford.
• Who proposed? He did.
• Who is more sensitive? It's sort of a toss-up on this one. I cry more at everyday stressors, but Corey is very sentimental.
• Who has more friends? Probably equal.
• Who has more siblings? Me--I have four. Corey's got one brother.
• Who wears the pants in the family? John Baggs. But seriously, I'm thinking I would say me, and he would say me...

Date night

We've tried to establish Thursday nights for date night, but since our weekend was relatively absent of the usual obligations, we took advantage. Corey took me to Hell's Kitchen for dinner, a new restaurant in town. I'm not sure if we stumbled upon some weekend event or just because it's new, but it was really busy. The decor is mostly all red and black, and the space is a continuation of a few big rooms with big sheer black drapes that can be pulled out to make different "spaces". There is gothic/Rembrandtish artwork sprinkled on the walls. I kind of imagine that it's Halloween all year round for this place. If you've never had bison, you need to try it. Now of course my argument about not wanting to eat deer meat seems thin, considering I just ate buffalo. I've heard their brunch is excellent too, so I imagine we'll be revisiting. Sunday morning we cleaned the basement! I know I am freak of nature because I like to clean. It really didn't take as long as I would have thought and now the items we are recycling/taking to the dump are in the center of the room, hard to miss! Next we have to clean out the garage, put the patio table and grill away, pack up the tent, then I want to paint our bedroom. Sunday night we went to a happy hour with Joe and Em to watch the Yankees game. I didn't want them to win, but at least in some way it extends the baseball season and minimizes the football season--at least at our house.