Fall

My favorite time of year! Perfectly warm days mean lots of outdoor play and cool nights denote comfortable sleeping. Verdant lawns still grace the landscape though they need less mowing. Beautiful colors wrap nearly every tree. I feel invigorated;  eager to organize, itching to bake, hopeful for teaching. The air is crisp and fresh, skies still blue, mosquitos have packed up for the winter and scents of cinnamon fill our home. It is, in my humble opinion, the most wonderful time of year. Here are some highlights from this fall.

Brother love; I can't tell you how thrilled Drew is to have a brother. 

We went to VA with Geoff on a business trip in October. We stayed with friends and had a lot of fun trekking around their town. This was taken at a phenomenal local playground. I'm holding a couple of Monarch butterflies. It was a cool day so they were quite docile.

Here we are at the National Zoo in DC. I saw a Panda Bear for the first time-- certainly a highlight for me this year.

Our annual hayride at Stamp Farms in Exeter. We also get our pumpkins, gourds, and Indian corn here.

We enjoyed apple picking again at Sunset Orchards, played and picnicked at the playground, and did lots of baking.
My wonderful hubby Geoff also celebrated his life of 40 years this October with some special friends. It was a full and fun fall for the Short family.

Summer Highlights

Enjoying the pool Gram bought them last year

Anne turned 11 in September; she loves soccer and plays plenty of it year round

William Thomas July 18

My high school friend Elaina and her husband Dan stayed with us one weekend when she
 was down from NH for a wedding

The twins turned 4-- this year's theme; Hello Kitty

Bronx Zoo; I wish I had more pics of the kids there-- they had a lot of fun-- a bit too
much walking for this pregnant Mama. I think we stopped at EVERY restroom.

New Era Orchestra Recital; Anne, 2nd strings

We even made it to the beach a few times though I don't any pictures-- life was a bit crazy with a newborn!

Wedding Bells are Ringing!

Geoff's cousin Allison was married this August. She is also our children's former nanny so she's very close to the kids as well as me.
I'm so far behind on these posts that I fear any witty banter will be absent until I'm caught up. However, I'm happy to share pictures.

Ruth and Claire were the flower girls-- they did such a great job and completely stole the spotlight for a few moments.

My absolute favorite picture of Mike and Allie. This
was taken during their foot washing ceremony.

Lovely Ladies

Besties and Cousins:
Emily, Caleb, Will, Anne, Drew, Isaac, Elle,
Abby, Ruth and Claire

I made their wedding cake; they wanted something "organic" so I designed this based on some sample photographs. It's a
ganache filled, coffee simple syrup soaked dark chocolate cake with espresso Italian buttercream decorated with cherries, rosemary and mint.

                     

William

So much to share since my last post in July... We welcomed our baby boy as scheduled via C-section on July 18. It took me a bit longer to heal as I've had five necessary sections. While most doctors would run for the hills or convince me to quit for fear of disaster and lawsuits, mine continues to encourage and support me. I'll admit that with each I secretly hope for him to remark something like "Don't have any more; It's too dangerous; You have too much scar tissue, etc." so I  would have a definitive answer to the question of how many. Instead he assures me I could have more. God's hand is evident in all of my children and each day with them is a gift. I can relate to the inn keeper from the well known Christmas story; "No more room, Lord-- in my life, in my house, in my finances, in my time..."  Can you imagine if I followed through?

I can't.

God, despite my fear, failings and selfish thoughts continues to bless my womb.

Not my will but Yours be done.