Halloween 2015

Halloween...our almost favorite holiday of the year.  This year Ruby comes up to me weeks before Halloween and says, " Mom, I am going to be the Lorax for Halloween and I am NOT going to change my mind."  Okay then.  Let's do it.  This is what we came up with!  She didn't end up liking the glasses with the painted cotton ball eyebrows and mustache.  I don't blame her.  It was a good effort, but face paint is really so much simpler and comfortable.

My little Lorax. :)

And, Jay, from Ninjago...which is a lego show in case you are not familiar.  This was a decisive move on Owen's part also and made for a pretty simple and warm costume option which is pretty important for Halloween in the mountains.  

Here are the Kirby's and us on Main St.

Main Street in Park City was reported to be the biggest Halloween party in the country.  I don't know about that, but what I can tell you is that it is a lot of fun, a big crowd, and some great inspiration for costumes.

Kirby's dressed up as the four seasons.  Chip dressed up with Owen and was Sensei Wu.  His costume was the best in years.  Someone actually recognized him on Main St.  I dressed up with Ruby and was a Trufula Tree.  It was really just a great excuse to wear a really fun wig.

Best costume on Main this year.

Post Halloween bike ride.  Our last one of the year.  We rode about five miles (slightly down hill) on the Rail Trail.  

Ruby used her own money to purchase a Star Wars fleece blanket at Costco...cause she doesn't have enough blankets??? I know, the fact that she has a million blankets doesn't impact this choice.  My kids do LOVE blankets.  Its kinda their thing.

Our other recent thing is this...tape.  If you leave a roll of unattended tape in our house it will not be long before it is all used up for hanging, or tying up some character or animals.

A few out of order Halloween pics...

The Lorax in her natural surroundings with a Truffula tree.

During this bike ride we were mid negotiations on a new house.  We had been scheming a renovation on our current house when we found this new address in our neighborhood, next door to one of our best friends and four doors down from another bestie.  It had all that we would have gotten in the renovation and more.  So, if I have no entries for November, its because we have been cleaning the new house like crazy to get it ready for mid December move in, as well as cleaning our old house to get it ready and keep it ready to be for sale.  Will have pictures of both eventually. :)

A Big October

Wow- we had a big October.  Started with Halloween decorations (at the end of September actually), a week long trip to Baja for dad with the boys, and an epic trip for all four of us back to Ohio to visit with tons of family and friends.  

Looks like fun, eh? Chip should add his comments here. It looks beautiful and was full of adventures including quintessential surf conditions and almost everyone getting pretty good gut bugs to deal with there and bring home as souvenirs.  

Back at home, we did a lot of playing.  Ruby and Owen love their characters, castles, and homemade creations.  I love their constantly moving, thinking, creating, and imagining little selves.

Here we are in Ohio!  The land of beautiful fall leaves, colors, and that comforting feeling of home.

Weekend 1 was a full on Mulliken side reunion.  We all went to Patterson's Fruit Farm on Saturday to get outside, despite the cold weather, and enjoy visiting some old stomping grounds.

I don't know how I even got this picture of mom and Martha.  Mom, Gus and Amber stayed with Martha.  The rest of us stayed on Camelot at dad's.  This weekend was truly an experience of grace, love, integrity, and acceptance.  It was the first time we have ALL been together since Chip and I got married.  I love my family.  I really do.

Guidos- take one.  I ended up eating here THREE times in the week we were home...and I'm still not sure I got enough.  I am salivating right now just writing this.

A belated birthday party for Tina and Amber, complete with cake and pumpkin carving!  We even had a trombone performance by Evan.

These are the church steps where I grew up listening to the "children's message", and where Chip and I got married.  Kinda trippy to see my own kids up there now.  

Oddly, one of my high school friend's brothers bought the house down the street that we grew up in.  So, we were able to arrange a visit.  It was awesomely nostalgic.

So many memories of playing in this creek....

Fun with cousins!!

Chagrin Falls...where the leaves are bigger than your head!

Thanks, dad and Carol, for hosting such a great reunion full of parties, good food, and good company.

Next, we headed 7 miles down the street to Chip's house where Ruby and Owen were delighted to be old enough to drive the green jeep in the DuRoss' incredible yard and woods.  

We made our way back to the swing, which is a magical little place.

Then, off to Guido's for...Take two! 

We hiked around the Polo fields and played in the culvert and woods.  Ohio has the best woods!

Oh man, family football!  Derek, Hope, and cousins joined us for a play off.  Judah was running the field like a boss.

We planted this tree for Selah shortly after she was born.  It seemed like a twig at the time.  Look at it now!  Kinda cool how the tree has three trunks.  Who knew that Derek and Hope would have three kids?  A trunk for each.  So sweet.

A trip to the Science Museum in Cleveland...this was a fun find!

We had dinner and play at Derek and Hope's one night too.  I think if you look up joy in the dictionary, this picture shows up. 

Thanks, Nana and Papa for being so flexible, generous, fun, and loving as ever with us four!  We love you!!

And now, Guidos...Take three!!  Let the 20 year reunion begin!

It was really fun to reunite with old friends, meet new spouses, and remember the good ole days. :)

Ruby and Owen loved meeting our friend's kids...they felt like cousins.  I wish I had better pictures but Cadence was a hit.  She is amazing with the little ones and is one of the sweetest girls I have ever met...and if you knew her mama you wouldn't be surprised. 

The old girl scout troop.

And, the best thing I never have to leave from high school...this guy!  

Good times, everyone!