Wednesday, October 31, 2012

All Hallows' Eve Party



We had quite the variety of guests at our family party for All Hallows' Eve.  We mingled with Marilyn Monroe, JFK, Nicki Minaj, and Captain Jack Sparrow, among others.  The party was very fun.  Everyone brought their favorite Halloween treat to share and we enjoyed good food and even better company.  Some of us stayed out very late -- the conversation was so intriguing we couldn't resist (Jared and I didn’t get to bed until almost 3am!).

The highlight of the night, by far, was uncovering everyone's deepest, darkest secrets with the polygraph test.  Thanks to Amy's timely purchase, we learned some interesting things about each other -- definitely money well spent! :)


Marilyn Monroe and JFK
Lizzie put her sewing (er, stapling) skills to good use and made her dress.



No, it's not a cheese nip!  It's Nicki Minaj...in all her fabulousness.
Snow White and Captain Jack Sparrow


Mary Poppins and Bert (he's holding a chimney sweeper NOT a witch's broom :) )


Jus Precious!

Lovelies


Oh, so classy...

A hairdo from Pinterest

"Happy Birthday, Mr. President"

They're pretty fantastic!



Where's a manhole when you need one...





Little lovebirds.

Don't let that smile fool you...he was sweating bullets :)



Poor guy, first time meeting the family and he gets to take a polygraph test.
He passed.
Delicious.
Well, aren't we lucky...

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Mustache Match-up...


This was actually taken last Christmas but I just noticed it on my computer slideshow.  Santa brought one of the boys felt mustaches, but the girls promptly put them to use.
 
In an odd way, our mustaches look unusually appropriate -- especially considering our different personalities.  It's funny and weird...  

Friday, October 19, 2012

Lunch at Carlucci's


It's hard to pass up lunch at Carlucci's followed by waffles from Bruges...can't beat good company, either. 

I sure appreciate a good excuse to take a break from studying....  

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Love a man who cooks...

Jared's got mad pizza-making skills.  He can whip up lots of other delectable meals, too.  His mother taught him well.  

I'm a lucky girl.







Friday, October 12, 2012

Witch Fest





















Since we were babysitting Madeline, Jared suggested we go to the Witch Fest at Gardner Village.  Before leaving for our outing, Madeline intently told me that we needed to pick up "spicy candy for Ahzander" because he was at school and couldn't come with us.  The night before, Alexander apparently told Madeline that if we went to a candy store she needed to pick him up "spicy or sour candy."  Madeline eagerly picked out the requested treats and only grumbled once when she discovered she was in fact giving Alexander a portion of the candy.

The Witch Fest was very fun.  Jared and I were sort of chuckling remembering that we went this same time last year (sans any nieces or nephews) but didn't have such a good time.  Jared wasn't in the best mood and felt bad because we apparently were the only adults without kids.  It was sort of miserable; we basically left the minute we arrived.  This year, however, was an entirely different story.  Lucky for us we had sweet Madeline in tow, and Jared went to great lengths to ensure the day was perfect -- he redeemed himself.




She was beaming the whole day
Hanging out with our cute nieces and nephews (1 year ago)
Isn't she adorable...

Thursday, October 11, 2012

10.11.12

Spent a carefree day with this handsome boy.  It was perfect.

Now I'm having anxiety about fall break being over.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Sunday Dinner


Alexander and Lizzie
Jared and moi
Mary Leigh and Justin had everyone over for Sunday dinner.  As usual, Mary Leigh outdid herself.  She made a delicious meal that included homemade pretzels, broccoli-cheddar soup, and chocolate cupcakes.  Her house was immaculate and all spooked-out in preparation for Halloween.

As a little girl, my idol was Mary Leigh (the oldest in the family).  I'd follow her around like a lost puppy and offer to do the dishes on her nights so that she'd do my hair, or let me look at her dollhouses.  She's flawless in anything she does.  Somehow she didn't inherit the mediocrity genes that I seem to have in excess.  Anyway,  I still aspire to be like her.  

And I feel especially grateful to be part of such a large, amazing family. I didn't always love it.  When I was younger I was embarrassed to tell anyone that I had ten siblings; and I remember wishing that I was an only child.  Those days are long gone.  I feel incredibly blessed to have such close friendships and examples within my family.  They're a pretty spectacular bunch -- wish the California crew were here, too.
  
Mary Leigh, in all her greatness...she even glows :)
Amy and Madeline

Lizzie, Amy, and Madeline (proudly showing us her new bed)

Ready for Halloween

Freakishly delicious cupcakes
Some of la familia...
Hanging out

Eli and Lizzie playing a duet

Lizzie playing her latest song

Eli's "plus one"

Andrew and Emily

Mary Leigh's stenciling skills...the wall behind the picture