November already?

Wow. Fall came and went in a flurry of excitement. I'm not truly certain that I am ready for it to be almost December and shhh.....Christmas. Anyway... I am in the process of reapplying for a billion non-existent teaching jobs in the hopes that one opens up in the not too distant future. I loved loved loved my long-term sub placement and I cried like a baby when I left. I had fantastic students and wonderful co-workers who made my transition from scared-to-death-new-teacher into someone actually capable of teaching.

Our photography business is off to a flying, running, crashing start. We have no idea what we are doing, or how to go about making a business work but we have had really great reactions from the people who we have worked with and we have SEVEN weddings booked so far for 2009. Of course eventually we have to officially create a business, and figure out our new taxes and organize ourselves, but for right now we are floating around in the bliss of immediate successes.

I have been planning on how to get the family that is currently blessed with my constant presence to actually do some of the things that they say they are going to do.... for instance paint and upkeep the barn that is slowly falling down. They are buying new animals (cows....lots of them) and trying to make money farming again, thus I believe that the barn should at least look like a barn. So.... (be forewarned....) I started planning a "paint-the-barn" party. To which I plan on inviting everyone we know, people who use the barn, people who love the farm, family, friends, people who really owe them for all the nicey-nice-ness that they give out all year long..... and they think I am CRAZY. But imagine with me: early next summer, music, good food, good drink, good company, lots of paint brushes, all leading to----- beautiful barn. Why not I think. so....your invitations will be in the mail :-)

We had a wonderful weekend. The boys took me rabbit hunting and it was the first time I have ever seen a valid reason for having their high-strung-poorly-trained beagle cuteness around. It was amusing to watch the boys be so excited as the barking beagles ran in circles around them waiting to catch their first glimpse at a speeding bunnie. And as morbid as the whole event is, the look on the faces of grown men as they first see the rabbits come bounding out of the woods is priceless, pure joy and excitement. Cousin John was here for the weekend, got himself a freezer full of venison, even if it made Traci mad. :-) We had a fantastic lunch with grandma before he headed off to Albany, we always love his company and I think the men were really glad for the extra male bonding time they were allotted because he was here. And the fact that mom actually cooked dinner.

Today I am at my mother's house about to enjoy yet another home cooked meal as she has invited my grandparents down for supper. Its bound to be a week full of family and love and togetherness that I so so so needed after the fiasco of a month I have created for myself.

So life is good and love abounds. Happy Thanksgiving.

Family

There is nothing I love more than snugglie babies in PJs!
Trying to capture the awe we were feeling....from Gods light show.

We can't get those cutie pie babies away from great grandma. :-) Grandma and Miles and Bryce.......
Cousins!!!!
Brody on the Deer, just shortly before he grunted and ripped off the deer's antlers...

By the look on Gina's face I can only assume that Julia is hiding from something very very scary. :-) We had a super, wonderful, amazing (if not soggy) weekend at the farm. Even if Julia was playing shy girl for a little while. Despite "Uncle" Jeff's best attempts to get her to smile for him.

A little love...and a whole lotta cuteness

There is nothing better than being at home.

If only everyone could be in love from age 14.

The farm is the most peaceful place on earth.

Where you can meet your first fish...

And completely enjoy the great outdoors!

I loved my weekend at home. There is nothing better than puppies and babies....except of course enjoying them while also enjoying a glass of wine and the fact that my thesis is DONE!

Finally got to meet baby Miles, and spend some quality time with the family, and stop the fun for a minute to say "Cheese" (do you like grilled cheese?) with Aidan.....and yes I do.

Grandma gets a little lovin' from wide

awake Miles, (who despite the shirt

proclaiming a "crabby" baby,

is not even close to crabby,

only adoreable.)

I can't imagine a more perfect weekend..... and for a moment, while I download the rest of my pictures onto my laptop, I can pretend that I don't have to go to class or to work, I would like to imagine my only responsibilities being sitting by a fire, making s'mores.