graveyard boogie

today is tops on my list of favorite holidays...we didn't celebrate it growing up so as an adult i guess i'm making up for lost time...and sweets.
we're spending the day listening to spooky music and finishing up last minute costuming for bee. tonight we take the little ones out for tricks and treats, despite the rain and cold.
it's going to be such a treat having our new little pumpkin baby sis along for the ride this year...

happy happy halloween, friends!

(some music to keep things festive...)

none more black

gloomy brooding type mondays are for hunkering down with extra thick socks. 

they are for singing christmas songs to a lull sad-sack baby...long windy car rides across state lines...paint-stained fingers. belly laughs with my boy.

sending all our love eastward...

friday glamour shots

happy happy friday!

this guy stayed home from school today complaining of a headache and sore throat. then i caught him dancing "risky business" style in the living room. i think i've been had. 

 

wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

indian summer slumber

 

a sleepy afternoon house, warm from the sun outside. 

there is something pretty romantic about the indian summer we're having this week...heat and bare trees. naked branches. naked baby. dirty son.

 

these moments are for tiptoeing around and breathing easy...being ever so grateful for the last touches of warmth for the year. toes to earth and sun to cheeks.

apple of their eye

my beautiful sister amy and her two guys are expecting a little baby boy come early decemeber. a christmas baby!

amy and i had always talked about wanting to be pregnant together...or to have babies close in age who could get into trouble and mischief together like we did. so this little fella is a real treat!

(and amy and i got to be woefully pregnant together for a few months)

sunday we all gathered up together to celebrate amy and nate and their austin and baby on the way. 

there is something really amazing about sharing a meal with a community of people that love you the most...about celebrating life in all its richness and fullness and lovely surprises.

plus there were whoopie pies and rootbeer floats...

i cant tell you how excited i am for amy...how excited all us girls are!

this little guy is loved and loved already. and there's nothing quite as special as getting to be an aunt...getting to see your sisters as mamas and watching your babies grow up together. 

every bit is a gift...

3 cheers

happy happy weekend, friends!

roadside

roadside markets are the most beautiful around here...

there is a wonderful one off of 35 west that is the perfect excuse for an afternoon country drive for some tree swinging and pumpkin snatching and trying to take seasonal pictures of your little ones with both of their eyes open or without losing your propped up slumped over baby to a sea of pumpkins (she was not pleased with me).

i get swept away pretty quickly by slow paced, sweet places like these...the boy working said i looked like i was having more fun than max was. 

 

stacked up hay and blue skies can do that to a girl...

 

3 months

we're at 3 months now and sis is big britches around here...flipping around, starting to scoot, and carrying on some real serious conversations with her toys or the tv. old girl has the weight of the world on her face still, especially when i get my camera out (i'm in for it!)...but that little glare and stare and inquisitive look will forever be one of my favorite things about her. plus, finally getting a smile out of her is the luckiest feeling around...

at 3 months, bee likes listening to records, snatching us bald, and giving the best and slobberiest open mouth kisses. her tickle spot is under her ribs and don't you dare try to confine her in a wrap or carrier...she is a lover of personal space and freedom to kick and move and be.
also, she loves watching old monk episodes.

phoebe is our sweetest lil pumpkin baby and life with her is real fine.
me and the boys feel pretty lucky to have her around...
3 months is a special age.


i made a quick video of bee last week...little shots of her as she is now....or was a week ago (that girl has already gone from slow and shaky rolling over to this week flipping and flopping back and forth willy nilly without a care).
it's amazing how quickly it all goes...

Bee at 3 months from katie stratton on Vimeo.     happy wednesday, friends.  xoxo

lately