Family Fall Fun

With Halloween this coming Thursday- fall fun is in full effect! Over the weekend Nick was able to take Sunday off from studying to partake in a Phelps family tradition- pumpkin carving. I think last year in Grenada was the only year I have not participated in pumpkin carving in my entire life. Nick on the other hand had not carved a pumpkin in 10-15 years! WHOA!

Pumpkin carving with my little brothers is usually pretty classic. Every year Joey creates his own design for his pumpkin and they are never disappointing! Alex on the other hand likes to go through the stencil book and find one that is elaborate and cool. Over the years a system has somewhat developed where Maggie helps assist Alex in the carving of his pumpkin and my dad helps makes whatever Joey has created come to life on his pumpkin. I'm usually pretty tradition and just do a face or whatever the family pumpkin is or just bounce around and help, but this year Nick and I had our own!

All in all, another successful year of carving in the books!

Later in the afternoon we also got together to celebrate Nick's mom's birthday! Lots of family gathered together at the Leo house and it was a fun filled afternoon of just hanging, watching football, and catching up with everyone! The food was SO good and I definitely ate enough for both me AND baby!! I think this child is growing a lot lately because after a few weeks of eating like a normal human I am back to being starving every couple of hours (or 10 minutes after just eating a full meal.. but i digress!) I've heard this is normal in the 2nd trimester but I ate this way in the 1st trimester so I was hoping maybe I just went in reverse order... nope, looks like it may be a full 9 month thing, if we end up with a super chub on our hands we will know why!!! And at least eating is more fun during the holidays and the food is extra, extra delicious!! :)

It sure was a fun filled family day and it was super nice to see Nick relaxing and having fun since he's been mostly locked away studying for his first shelf exam on Nov 8th!

Memorial Day and Michigan summer fun

Being at home continues to be wonderful! I miss the routine of life back in Grenada a little bit, but spending so much time with family and friends quickly makes up for that! We'll be back soon enough, and with the one month countdown approaching, I am definitely hoping time slows down a little bit!

The weather in Michigan has been a-m-a-z-i-n-g  and has reminded Nick and I that there is no place like home.  There is no place like Michigan in the summer, and we have been taking full advantage of it! One of my favorite things has been the long days!  I talk about it almost everyday. The sun hasn't been setting until around 9 p.m.... 9 PM!!!! After living in Grenada, it is amazing how darkness at 6PM had become the normal to me... so needless to say when we continue to lay out on the dock, take boat rides, and enjoy sunlight until well into the evening, I do a happy dance- every day.

I've also been soaking up lots of silly brother time. They are playing flag football right now- which is hilarious. I die watching. Both have improved a lot since just starting though!!

 (Not sure, what happened to my Alexander football pictures, so will be adding those here shortly when I find them!)

Over the weekend I babysat them while my parents went to a wedding, and we have a very fun-filled day! We played games inside, played outside, went out to dinner, went to the park, and read books before bed. I wondered if they would be wired and fight going to bed, but after 3 books they both actually got up and took themselves to bed, and then were asleep within 5 minutes... guess I did a good job wearing them out eh!? Super fun day.

Have I mentioned how nice it is being home? Hope everyone had an absolutely fabulous Memorial Day weekend- I know we sure did!! 

The whole weekend was perfect, with beautiful weather, and the wonderful company of family and friends!  This girl couldn't have asked for more! :)