happy halloween

It is October 31st and all that means to me is: tomorrow there will be discount candy! I don't buy into all this Halloween business. It's not fun for me to be scared so I just opt out, although I do watch It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown every year. As as kid, I had a friend that would have a haunted hay ride for her birthday and I made sure that my mom was there to pick me up before it started. I didn't care that I looked like a weenie, I did not want to go into the woods!

This weekend we are taking our youth group on a fall retreat, so I have a fabulous excuse to skip Halloween. But, that doesn't mean that Moose got to skip out on dressing up. He was not the most cooperative little fella, but the bribe of a few treats got him to hold still.

Have a happy, safe and not too scary Halloween! Don't forget to brush and floss after all that candy!! 

Minnie Moose

Doesn't he look thrilled to be a girl?! 

it's a mystery folks

On Friday night Alex and I hosted our second annual murder mystery dinner party. Last year's mystery was so much fun that we decided to do it again. Alex wrote the script again this year and poor Mrs. Plum was offed, but by who?! and what weapon did they use?! Was it Professor Plum?! Or maybe Ms. Scarlet or possibly Mr. Green?? As we ate dinner* we watched the mystery unfold.

The Suspects

(top left to right) Alyssa, Amanda, David, Maggie, Kraig, Matt and Corey

(bottom left to right) Kyle, Lori, Melinda, Brian, Clint and Kassie

The maid and butler at your service

As expected, the story took on a life of it's own and each character added so much to their role. Everyone stuck to their rules/roles, which made for a great night. There was a powerful psychic, a couple of scandalous lovers, a nosy neighbor, a stuttering detective, a terrible gardener, a flamboyant baker, a sad friend, a pharmaceutical rep, an angry teacher and his sweet wife, a doctor, his nurse and a corrupt Colonel.

Alex made a few typo's but they were perfectly placed and added a dramatic plot twist. We all laughed so hard that our faces hurt. In the end, Colonel Mustard commandeered a bread truck and forced Mr. Green, at gun point, to run over poor Mrs. Plum.  Such a tragic end, but her murder is no longer a mystery and all of the suspects can resume their daily lives. It was such a fun night and I am already looking forward to next year.

Mademoiselle Rose channeling the spirits to talk to Mrs. Plum

Mr. Green defending himself 

Mr. White trying to help Inspector John solve the mystery 

The mastermind murderer Col. Mustard and poor Mr. Green who got roped into the murder

and one more before you go....because it's too good not to share

Professor Plum and Mr. Green

I assume Prof. Plum isn't holding a grudge that Mr. Green had to run over his wife....

*Menu and recipe links:
Appetizers: sausage twirls and  spinach twirls
Garden Salad
Main Course: green beans, roasted potatoes, ham and rolls
Dessert: mini apple pies and vanilla ice cream

happy birthday

Today is Alex's birthday and he is a whopping 26 years old! All that he has requested for his birthday is to a) go to a haunted house or b) watch a scary movie. I hate being scared, I purposely don't watch scary movies, tv shows or even the commercials. But, I'd rather be scared on my own couch than out at some creepy haunted house, so we're going to be watching a scary movie tonight...because it's his special day.

I am excited to see what 26 has in store for Alex. We are in a really fun season of our lives and I love getting to spend so much time with him at work and at home. I hope that this year brings just as much excitement and adventure as the last. I love you Alex and I hope you have the best day!!

october + arkansas visit

Even though we are 20 days into October, I haven't had a spare second to post in 15 days. We have been busy but in a good way, not in a whiny, stressed out way. I think we've had something going on every night of the week this month and it doesn't look like there will be a change until after Christmas. I love this time of year and I love the hustle and bustle that seems to start, without fail, on October first.

Last weekend, we closed the office on Friday and drove south to Little Rock, Arkansas to see my Grandpa. It had been too long since I'd been down to visit, we were overdue for a visit. We loaded up the car at 3 am and arrived at 9 am, just in time for breakfast. After catching up and lunch, Alex and I headed down to the Arkansas River Trail. We'd read about it in the St. Louis Post Dispatch and it piqued our interest. We rode the 16 mile loop. It was a fun ride and good way to see parts of Little Rock that we wouldn't see otherwise.

Of course gnome came too  

After our ride, we spent the evening chatting, eating and playing domino's with Grandpa, Jean (his lady friend), and my parents.  Saturday, after my parents left at around two we were pretty lazy. We watched the Razorback's lose, napped, played cards and munched our way through the day/evening/night ;).

Me and my Grandpa

I've been chasing this cat since my Grandma and Grandpa brought him home nearly 17 years ago. 

Sadly his age is beginning to show and I finally caught him!

Sorry for the blurry nature of this phone picture, but it's just too good not to share

I am so glad we had the opportunity to visit my Grandpa. I think the world of him and I'm fairly certain he's the best Grandpa on Earth. We really enjoyed our trip and look forward to going back again sooner than later.

highlight

We occasionally teach the five year old class at church on Sunday mornings. Each week we start by asking the kids what the highlight (best part) of their week was. This week when it was my turn to share, I got to tell them that my sister had a baby! Not that there was judgement of who's highlight was brighter than anyone else's, but I'm pretty sure mine trumped the tooth fairy and eating pizza for lunch.

Does anyone else remember the commercial about the guy calling his parents to tell them they'd had a baby?
(click here if you don't, it'll refresh your memory) Wehadababyitsagirl! Becky and Jared welcomed Atley Jane into the world and their family (now of five!) Tuesday, September 30.

Wednesday morning Libby, Katie and I were very excited to drive up and meet miss Atley. We had a great day and I can easily confirm that I love Atley just as much as my 12 other nieces and nephews, but she's the littlest and doesn't squirm away from me, so for now she's my favorite ;)

Collier family of five (minus Max)

Me with three of my babies, now if I could only get a picture with all thirteen...

Ethan and I were trying to just get one good picture, it took us a few tries...

Katie wanted very little to do with this baby that was stealing her mother's attention...so just a picture of Libby and Atley. 

A side-by-side of Nora and Atley at the same age and in the same outfit too! Familial resemblance?