BOO!

Halloween weekend was so much fun! Saturday, we walked into town and butted in line for the LG Halloween walk. Basically, you can trick or treat at all the businesses. But we only lasted one block. It's SO crowded and a bit overwhelming, so we went to Trader Joes and headed home. Saturday night, my parents came to babysit so Will and I could to to Laura and Chris's Halloween party. It was a blast. I can't remember the last time Will and I went to a party with just adults. We get out often enough, but it's usually just for an hour or two for dinner. We had a great time, and I really enjoyed seeing some of Laura's friends who I had met at her shower, bachelorette party, wedding. Such fun women! Today, Ethan and I started the day with church (we sat with Derek and his dad), then carved pumpkins and went trick or treating a few blocks over, ending up at our good friends' house (Derek's parents) for appetizers and chili. Sad to see such a fun weekend come to an end. But now I look forward to the next big holiday - Thanksgiving!!!

On the way to the LG Halloween Walk.

You can't really see Eleanor's ballerina costume because she was so bundled up. It's a shame she's not more happy, right?

Ethan does not liked to be called Spiderman. If anyone called him Spiderman, he would respond, "No! I'm Ethan Spiderman Meuer!" He's having an identity crisis, apparently.
Carving the pumpkin.

Eleanor carved this one all on her own. She's veeeery talented.

The "crew." Erin, Eleanor, Ethan, Derek, Jason, and Megan.

Best pic we got of the two of them. This is the only time Ethan wore his mask.

Argh! Jason, one of Eleanor's boyfriends, the pirate.

One of our neighbor's, Jim, dressed as Batman, with his son, Jimmy, as Captain America.

Eating dinner at the Martinez's.

Eleanor was so good all night!

Ravioli Dinner 2010

The following is a note I received from my Grandma this week:

My dear Michelle,
I'm so proud of you and all that you do!

Not only did my daughters learn to be excellent cooks and bakers, my granddaugters followed as well! However, you have taken it a step further by planting a veggie garden and canning and pickling, too.

It brings great joy to me to see what you have accomplished.

The ravioli, meatballs, and gravy were delicious. I enjoyed them so much! Thank you!

I am truly blessed to have had you in my life from early childhood.

I'll always love you!

Grandma


I know, right? What an awesome woman. I wanted to record it here not only for historical purposes (I might lose the actual note!), but also to introduce something that this note had me thinking about.

It is now, as an adult, that I can look back and reflect on our family dynamic, and the one thing I see over and over is food. My family LOVES food, and, I think because of this fact, we show our love through food often. I don't have many family memories that don't involve great food, and, admitedly, food is what makes me look forward to family events. Company is a close second. :)

The women in my family are good cooks. My grandma's an excellent cook, as are my mom and aunts, and now I think Lisa, Malia, and I are getting pretty good, too. And we enjoy it. I can't speak for my sisters, but I really and truly love love love to cook. I think my dream job is a personal chef. That, or an international food critic! How great would that be?

It was so fun for my sisters and I to cook for our mother and grandmother, showing off that we were actually paying attention as little girls, watching them make the "flour volcano" filled with eggs. All we were missing was Great Grandma Teresa's pasta board. I hope that we can pass on this tradition to our children as well. They may only be 12.5% Italian, but, dangit, they're going to cook like they were born in Rome!

Donning our new aprons from Italy!

Nothing like a little vino to relax during the preparation.

The finished product. Grandma has given Lisa her mother's pasta bowl, which we of course used to serve the ravioli.

Per Susie's request, here are some recent pictures. Another post coming soon featuring the great ravioli dinner of 2011. Yummy!

Ethan with Pop Pop Bill and Gram Betsy at Grandparent's Day at his preschool.

The playground, featuring a train and truck structure, is Ethan's favorite. Surprise!

Possible Christmas card picture?

We had lunch afterwards. This was Eleanor's first restaurant high chair experience. She looked so tiny!

Trying on the costume.

My neighbor brought over bags and bags of clothes for me (she has two girls), and this is a great dress she included. It will be one of her Christmas dresses. Pretty fun having a girl to dress up!

Using his super powers.

Can't believe I caught them both smiling

We dressed the kids up for a Halloween party at a friend's house.

This is Ethan at his school Halloween program today. I was pleasantly surpised that he actually participated. He even sang a little. It was super cute!

Here's his class after the show.
He looks so thrilled, doesn't he?