Happy Halloween!

We had a really quiet, uneventful Halloween this year.  We had all sorts of fun plans with friends but, alas, Emmeline came down with pink eye and an ear infection.  We thought it was best to keep her away from other kids.  We did, however, take her out trick-or-treating in our neighborhood for a bit.  She had a great time seeing the other kids in their costumes and going up to all of the houses to get treats.  In no time at all she had the hang of the trick-or-treat tradition.  When we got home, we Skyped with both sets of grandparents and let Emmeline have a lollipop.  It was a nice, quiet evening; just a bit lonesome.

Emme and daddy on the front steps.

Emmy Lou the cutest dino this side of the Mississippi

and mommy on the trick-or-treat trail

Hold still!  The flash is slow!

Emmeline dumps out her loot, looking for

her new favorite sweet treat: lollipops

Yum!

Pumpkin Carving in Trinity Vicinity

Today we went to a neighborhood pumpkin carving and crock-pot chili fete.  It has been nice to meet more people in our neighborhood and be a part of the community here a bit more.  I even went to my first neighborhood association meeting last week!  (Boy was that WAY more heated than I ever thought it could be!).  We had a great time carving pumpkins and eating good food.  You can see that Emmeline enjoyed the food a bit more than the carving: 

Carving pumpkins in beautiful Trinity Vicinity

Emme tried to help and pay attention...

...but the treats were much more intriguing!

What?!  I've only had three pieces of corn bread...

Her first lollipop.  These little sugary

delights are all that she can talk about now.

Hmmmm; I wonder...

...I guess I'll just try it.

Oh!  That's delicious!

Happy 30th B'day hubby!

On Saturday October 10, we surprised Paul with a party at The Arsenal in Old New Castle  to celebrate his 30th birthday.  Paul's folks surprised him the day before the party and then stayed with us for about ten days.  About 25 of our friends were able to make the Oktoberfest-themed party and we had a blast.  Paul was completely surprised, though he said he had an inkling that something was up when I was leading him to the room where we held the party.  And now, of course, he says he is beginning to find all sorts of holes in my story leading up to the party.  I do not have a lot of pictures to share as of yet.  I hired a professional photographer for the event so that I did not have to worry about taking photos.  I did take some pictures of the poker game (I set up a table so that the gents could place a nice, long game after dinner) and Kate also sent along some photos that she had taken.  You can see what fun Paul had:

What's going on?

I love the look on everyones' faces in this picture.  Paul's

parents are to the left: they are so happy to be sharing

in this fun day!  Paul looks slightly smug and Emmeline

looks as if she thinks the party is for her.

The game: very intense.

Mike is teaching baby Milly the finer points of

the game.

Is that your poker face, Paul?  Are you bluffing or just

happy to be drinking Guinness?

The game continues...late into the crisp, fall, Delaware night.

The cake from Serpe's bakery; finest Italian bakery

around!

On Paul's actual 30th b'day (the 15th), his parents,

Emmeline and I visited him at his school and brought

cupcakes and presents.  He had to stay at school late

for a workshop that day, but we had fun visiting especially

since his parents had not yet been to his school.