Thanksgiving in Vermont

The boys made sugar cookies (and goofy faces) to take to VT.

The chefs in the kitchen (Jay did a good job stirring the vegan gravy).

The table set for 10

Jay's graduation

 Jay's graduation was quite a big day.  The ceremony at UNE was short and personal, which I thought was a really good thing.  There was a reception on campus afterwards, where he got to mingle and pat his classmates on the back.  Amazing accomplishments, really.

 And then my Mom surprised him with a stretch limo!  We got to ride around Portland, then have a nice dinner and a ride back to campus. 

Christmas Tree Hunt

I think this is the earliest we've gotten a Christmas tree-- December 1st!  It was snowing this morning though, and it just felt like the right time to do it.  We found a good one (we think)-- the boys are standing in front of it.  They both helped Jay with the saw, and now we just need to clear out some furniture and find a good place for it.  It's hard to believe it's this time of year again already.

dance party

One of the boys favorite things to do:  Dance Party

Homecoming

Our view from tailgating

Jane and me

On the mall on campus

a very blurry photo taken in the back of a cab

A few of my friends and I make it a tradition to go back to UMaine campus in Orono for alumni/Homecoming weekend.  This year we had beautiful weather, and lots of good company.

trip to NYC

Grand Central Station

From the top of the Empire State Building

Times Square

I went on a very spontaneous short trip to NYC this month-- my first time in the city!

karate

Guess who passed his purple belt test and moved up to wearing a black gi?!  So proud of this guy!!

And here's Gabby in her own karate pose.  She was quite a watch cat...

lake in october

Swimming in October!

Love how beautiful the lake is in the autumn

Me- annual birthday (Oct 2nd) swim.  It was cold, but could have been worse!

On a field trip to the pumpkin patch

It's amazing how beautiful our weather has been this Autumn in Maine.  The only reason I'm able to catch up a little on this blog is because it's raining out-- it hasn't rained for such a long time.  This is my absolute favorite time of the year, so it's very special to have such nice weather this year.  The year I turned 39.  The final year of my birthday celebrations.  Thirty-nine and holding, thank you very much.

Fall

Spence in the pumpkins

Delivering balloons to open house

A boy and his kitty

Hay ride at Longfellow's

Did I miss September all together?

Trying on Halloween costumes

First day of school

Getting his purple belt

So somehow I missed the month of September.  It proved itself as a very busy month, obviously.  Spencer has become very interested in Halloween and trying on his pumpkin costume.  The boys had their first day of school-- Ben in first grade and Spence in preschool two mornings/week.

And Big Ben had his three-hour long purple belt test and passed!

bike cake

Ben got a new bike for his birthday.

Here is Auntie Sissy's birthday cake for the boy.  Super cool.  And really yummy (coming from someone who doesn't even like cake!)!!

birthday

 A boy and his balloons

 Green cake

And then chocolate cake!

Popham

I always have grand plans to make several trips to the beach during summer vacation.  Here are pictures from our one trip to Popham Beach.  We had a really great day & beautiful weather!

sand angels

 

Making "sand angels" at Popham.

seven!

This guy turned seven this month.  When the heck did that happen?!  

He had quite a fun few days of birthday celebration and now he's getting ready to start first grade on Wednesday.  *Sigh*...  Where does the time go?

some yoga at baxter state park (and nearby)

 While these first two photos aren't *technically* in Baxter State Park (that story to come...), the deep Maine woods and lakes are an absolutely beautiful location to do some yoga.  Thanks to Jay for taking these photos!

Stretching while waiting for water to boil (at 6am)

Boys doing tree pose on the roof of our lean to...

Me and B in Baxter- a very cool place where rocks made a natural water slide!

colors...

 Ben still attends (and loves) karate.  In the summer they have some themed week & this one was red, white, and blue week-- so we colored the hair.  There's also crazy hair week (pictures to follow).  Even though Spence doesn't take karate, he likes to get in on the themes.

Here's my funky pedicure; toes ready for the Phish show in Bangor.

And more colors:  anniversary flowers for me from Jay.  We celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary on July 3rd.