Lessons From the Bottom of a Coffee Cup: Halloween and other adventures that move us into November

We've had some really precious moments lately as a family and I'm so thankful for all of them. There is a beautiful Fall chill in the weather and so that's called for some cozying up and snugglin.' Adelynne hasn't ever really been a huge snuggler. Cocoa has her way beat in that department. At the end of the night, the Beags knows that's his time FINALLY with Mama and Da Da. If I'm still doing dishes or if we're taking a bit too long getting to the couch, Cocoa just whips out his puppy eyes and we're in trouble. But Adelynne has been surprising us lately. She now wakes up and waits for us to come get her, change her diapy and take her to our bed for some morning moments and reading her favorite books, "Who Do You See On the Farm?" "Minnie Mouse's Tea Party," the Elmo musical dancing book, "Elmer the Patchwork Elephant," and a few others. And she's gotten really great at cleaning up her books and putting them in the basket before going downstairs for breakfast. We sing the clean up song a lot these days!

And, the other day, Addy actually snugged with Josh for quite a while, with snacks in her lap. We both thought it was the cutest thing and I of course had to capture the moment!

Addy and I took a break from church last week. I worked the night before and just felt like a morning with my girl was more of a Sabbath rest for us. We enjoyed some time at home and then after her morning nap, she and I ventured out on a very rainy morning in our jammies (the first time I've ever left the house in mine!). I was craving an adventure. I have lots of customers at the coffee shop that show up through the drive thru in the pajamas. I kinda always wanted to do that! You know, not worry about looking grand and grab some coffee! So, we did! We had a great time and we even listened to Michael Bubble Christmas! Smile wide!!

Mama got her coffee and we enjoyed a little drive in the country!

This was my side kick for our adventure:

And Addy had her first official girls play date with our friend Eden, who is 10 months old. Talk about a riot! I'm pretty sure Eden's Grandma and I played "catch the girls" for most of the visit. But we did have a wonderful walk that afternoon and even got to play in the park for a little bit! Girls are such fun and maybe a tad bit dramatic....maybe....

And then there was Halloween. Last year Addy was a little Moo Cow and even slept through part of the festivities at our church's Harvest Party. This year, there was no Harvest Party and so we decided to stay home, hand out candy and get Addy down to bed at her normal early time. Addy ate dinner and I waited on bathaboo until we saw how she was during trick or treaters. By the time Josh got home she was boarder line committed...to grumpiness. Because we weren't going out door to door this year, I decided to dress her up in her Ducks cheer leading outfit Auntie Mel Mel got her for her birthday. Of course she didn't want the headband on and 10 minutes into trick or treaters half of her outfit was off and I proceeded to give her a bathaboo and then down to bed.

Miss Cranky:

Side Note: I've included these meltdown pictures to show how we keep it real in our family, lest you think we are always smiles and cupcakes!

Huh hum...

Moving on....

We were thrilled to see our neighbors and Addy's little buddy "O" himself: Mr. Lion-O! She held herself together for most of their visit...most...

Now onto NOVEMBER!! Can you believe it??

I still have yet to really decorate for Fall, which is totally not me! Come August I'm usually thinking decorate for Fall and shortly after that, I begin playing Christmas music. Yes, I'm "one of those people" but don't fault me for it. Christmas music honestly makes me so content and happy and brings up fond memories in my mind. Christmas takes me to places that are so satisfying and whole. I just love this time of year. Nope, I've never been a summer girl. Give me the cold and the cozy and I'm complete and content.

Another side note worthy of mentioning: I requested Christmas music be played while I was in labor at the hospital.

So, of course we danced to Christmas music this morning while getting ready to head out for another adventure!

We wanted to visit our friends Amanda and Heidi who have such a tasty gift for creating cakes, cupcakes and cake pops. They rented a table at a local bazaar and honestly, we thought they were the best part!

Here's what we walked away with:

Pumpkin cupcake
Lemon Cake Pop
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Pop

I know...I want to know when their store front is opening too!

OHHH but let me back up!

Starbucks red Christmas cups are now out and before going to the Bazaar, we stopped for coffee (for mom and dad) and I decided to get Addy her first ever big girl hot chocolate! I went for whole milk with just a little squirt of chocolate and no whip! She LOVED it!!! And looked pretty cute sipping out of her straw and her red cup of her very own!

Okay, so Addy wore her cute Fall overalls I got her and her little red sweater Sittee got her. I had to include some pictures of her in the outfit because it was just too cute!

And lastly, today's Saturday's projects at home:

Josh spent a few hours outside winterizing our garden after it's first year of harvest. This is the before picture...pretty overgrown and in need of help. It now looks fantastic but I'll have to grab a picture tomorrow in the day light. He did a great job!!

We're excited to try our hand at the garden again in a few months!!

Meanwhile back inside: I worked up some new Fall/Winter puree's for Addy to try in yogurt and muffins,etc.

I made a Cran-Apple Raisin Puree

A pomegranate cranberry puree (I believe my first time working with pomegranates!)

And then I roasted up a butternut squash, pureed it and made a Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese! It was soooo yummy with the warming spice of nutmeg to complete it. Addy GOBBLED IT UP so fast! I made it with tiny bows, just for her. And Josh and I really enjoyed the twist on Mac and Cheese!