Catch Up...Fall 2015

I really need to start scheduling in "blogging time." I started this blog in hopes that it would be more of journaling experience since I stink at writing in a journal-well, I'm 0 for 0! So now its almost 3 months into a new year and I haven't even finished off last year-none the less began on the excitement of 2016!
To begin our speedy trip thru the end of 2015- we'll start with my favorite time of year-FALL! I love everything about fall- the changing of the colors, the crisp air, the smell of spices, pumpkin pie, and of course its the beginning of all the major holidays.

Fall in Laramie, WY is GORGEOUS and the fall of 2015 held up to its standards. The kids and I enjoyed going the park and embracing the beauty of this town.

The kids got to enjoy an awesome Halloween in 2015. I was trying to be "that" mom and have a cute family theme for our costumes...to sum it up, I failed. Luke was sober excited to dress up as Batman-so Kevin WAS going to be Robin, Eliza-Catwoman, and myself- Poison Ivy. Well, do you know how hard it is trying to find a Robin costume for a 6' 3" tall man? Or a Poison Ivy costume that isn't made for a Kim Kardashian wannabe body type?  So by the time I finally figured everything out, we went to buy Lukes batman costume and they were OUT-of course, right? So, plan B happened..."Ok, Luke...all of these costumes are your size...pick one."
Luke ended up being a Storm Trooper, something he knew was from Star Wars-but had no idea what it was. Eliza was our cute little kitten.
Laramie does a wonderful thing for Halloween, a downtown trick-or-treat. I love this because its too FREEZING at night to take the littles house to house, as well as we aren't too big on the candy thing so the kids (for now, Im sure as they get older this will change) get just enough to enjoy but not enough to get too big of a sugar high. Luke also loves seeing all the different costumes that are roaming down town.  As for actual Halloween night-I did accomplish a "beingthat mom" moment of making a halloween themed dinner and the kids- especially Eliza- got soon excited to pass out candy to the trick-or-treaters.

With Fall, also is one of my favorite holidays-Thanksgiving. I love that Thanksgiving is the ONE major holiday that its not gimmicky. Theres no gift buying, stressing out  about seeing out cards, or making it all commercial like all the other holidays have become. Thanksgiving is solely about reflection. Reflecting on family, blessings, and showing gratitude...ok and maybe a little bit about eating yummy food until your fat pants even get tight ; )
I love cooking for Thanksgiving- mostly because I'm not alone in the process. I didn't marry a huge sports fan (sorry for those that did), thus Kevin isn't watching football like most men on Thanksgiving-he's in the kitchen with me. I love that our kiddos can see us working together in the kitchen (luckily, kevin loves to cook so it doesn't just happen on Thanksgiving).
We usually stay here in Laramie for Thanksgiving since the weather in Novemeber in Laramie is a little unpredictable. For 2015 Thanksgiving we decided to invite our friends from church, The Olers.
The Oler family are from Canada and are here in Laramie for school- like the rest of us ; ) I was so excited to give the Oler family their first American Thanksgiving with all of our families traditional dishes. It was a wonderful night of food, friends, and focusing on our blessings.