A First Real Car Experience

Evan took driver's ed late last spring, and he got the call yesterday that his behind the wheel time is finally happening this week! Brad took him out to a parking lot last night so his first time behind the wheel wouldn't be in the driver's ed car:

He is a bit more relaxed than Issa was:

He has spent so much time playing driving games and in driving rigs, so he feels pretty comfortable. Brad said he did amazingly well--nary a curb was touched. 

He will get his hours in this week, and then we will find an appointment for a permit test!
 

Lil is Married and Both Kids Have Passport Stamps!

We got back last night from a ver quick trip to Punta Cana to celebrate Lileigh's wedding! 

We left Thursday morning and had a pretty full day of travel. I have appropriately braced the kids for the traffic differences we might see, but I did not properly prepare them for the airport. We had a shuttle reserved, but it was still chaotic when we arrived. But...we made it to the resort with zero problems! We got all checked in, found dinner, and promptly crashed out.

The real fun started Friday. We ventured to breakfast and then walked down to the ocean, which was beautifully blue. We also added five new birds to our life list and watched turtle in the canal. By 11, we were meeting up with everyone who was celebrating to take a private boat out:

We got to go snorkeling for the first time:

We say a sting ray, sea turtle, shrimp, and so many tiny fish. It was truly incredible! They grilled hot dogs on the boat and put them on a stick for Issa and Brad, and we ate so much tropical fruit. We made it back to the hotel in time for some pool time, which is when we learned Evan cannot apply his own sunscreen:

We got cleaned up for an amazing dinner and the Brazilian steakhouse before we checked out the arcade. Issa is the skeeball queen:

Evan is the undisputed driving champion:

I held my own in basketball connect four:

Brad rules the air hockey table: 

The boys also drove in a Forza arcade and we girls did a little shopping.

Friday, we enjoyed breakfast and some more arcade before meeting up with the family for wedding day lunch. They had the perfect day for a beach wedding:

And we had so much fun at the reception:

I didn't get a ton of pictures, but watching all of the cousins dancing together is a core memory. Lileight and Bryan were so happy, and their friends are hilarious.

We made it home without a single snag, and I'm still smiling from the fun of it all.
 

That worked!

When I am in the pottery studio, I keep my expectations low. I have a lot of pieces that just don't work. That makes the ones that do even more special:

I made a set of these leaf napkin holders, and I'm in love. It's the first time I've played with raw edges, and I love the look. I specifically made them for my Thanksgiving table, and now I can't wait to use them!
 

Book 22

Kaitlin recommended this one to me, and I'm so glad she did:

It's not what I typically pick up. Definitely fantasy with a touch of dystopia, but I really loved it. I have already started the second book in the series, and I'm anxious to see how these characters continue to grow.
 

So Glad He is Mine

Yesterday was October 1, so that means Spooky Season officially begins. We decorated the inside much earlier, but yesterday was the first that the HOA will allow outdoor decorations, so you know I had to do it.

Before I left for work, I swapped out the wreath and door mat. I needed a little help with the rest, though:

Brad and I had full days, so it was nearly dark when we started. He does not love decorating, but he knows I do:
 

We were cracking up by the time we were finished, and I'm so glad that after 22 years he still embraces my particular kind of crazy.

Book 21

I finished book 21 last week:

This was our next book club read, and it was rightly described as a Hallmark movie in book form. It was a nice little piece of fluff, just don't think too hard about some of the details. I will happily pass this one along after book club.
 

Quick Trip!

Brad and I flew to the Gulf Coast this weekend for a very quick trip:

We were there to join the family in celebrating Becca's wedding:

She looked beautiful, and it was fun to all be together to celebrate. Brad and I even managed to sneak a little time in the ocean in, which is always a bonus!