Here's to...

You and Me in October.
Happy 6th Anniversary, Tyler. You are strong, wise, opinionated, picky, a risk taker, full of love, sweet, and so funny. I love every part of you and every part of us...

Bemusings: On random bad luck.

Dude.
What is it with this past week? I have had random and what I would deem uncalled for, possibly atrocious BAD luck as of late. I like a gripe fest every once in a while. No doubt. Remarkably I'm in quite the good mood despite it all. Let's just create a running tally, shall we?
-forgot to plug in my crock pot on Wednesday (however I DID remember to turn it on high. Really, Chelsea? Really? Please be picturing Seth Meyer right now).
-Slammed myself in the nose doing a squat snatch. Honestly that sort of stunned me. I think I might have been shock because I started praying out loud at crossfit that it wasn't broken. Oh yes, we had a bleeder. Fortunately it was because it was split and not actually broken; but really isn't that sort of splitting hairs? Right now I have a swollen nose that might rival my pregnancy nasal bloat of 2007. The Official low point of the week was sitting on my couch with a pack of peas on my nose moaning over:
-Complete DVR meltdown. The box just stopped working during...wait for it...the world broadcast premier of Twilight on FX. Comcast, I absolutely WILL remember that.
-The front strap (see: esseential for holding up the ever-dwindling girls) of my favorite "go-to" bra actually ripped in half. I was left with two cups covering my shoulder blades, a frown, and snickering hubby.
-Harper's public poop blowout & her total refusal to participate in family pictures.
-Two, count em two, trips to the grocery store sans my much needed list. I forgot milk twice. What that may say about my mental state I'm not sure. Read: uncomfortable speculating on that subject.
-Star of the Week cookie nightmare: three unsuccessful batches later. Oh, poor pea actually said: "I think you are frustrated Momi." Sure was, little lady.
-During a total parental give-in I learned that Pea knows how to post pictures of herself on my Facebook; I don't know whether to be seriously impressed or horrified.
Things can always be worse. Always.
Is anyone having GOOD luck lately? I know some of you are! Tell me your good luck stories; hoping to strike a match on their spark...

Official Family Photos

Here are our official family photos taken by one Mrs. Andrea Bell; these are some of my favorites...for more, go here! They are all good so it's hard to choose! In the interest of keeping it real; I think the jeans might have been indeed a bad choice on my part, but Tyler looks, in a word: good. really good...
Thank you, the (other) Mrs. B!

Carving and Hot Chocolate

A tradition every year...

Ristrettos

As of yet, I have been too busy to jump on our family bandwagon; turns out this wagon is taking you to THE best food and atmosphere in town!
You may have seen it off 272nd, on facebook, plugged by many a friend: Ristrettos, the newest hippest place to be. It's quickly becoming the Cheers of Maple Valley.
Tyler's uncle Biddy opened this place two weeks ago and let me tell you it is perfection for a number of reasons...
1. Remember this guy? Oh yeah, that's Tyler's cousin Joe and also our next door neighbor. He is the BEST chef I have ever personally met. His food is legendary in our family and HE created the menu from scratch. Stop reading now and just go.
When you come back...
2. The amazing wood work, it's a sight to see. Biddy really "Langified" it, which is our way of saying it's blinged out and beautiful.
3. Proximity and Wine: need I say more, ladies? Let's go have a girl's night...
Obviously these pictures are courtesy of Andi, resident photog extraordinaire...





On Friday, they did a paint your own pumpkin/sip yummy hot chocolate event. It was definitely a success and I think almost all my mommy friends for town were there! Here are some fun shots from that...





Support local wine and fun; I think I'll give this place a thumbs up; or at least my version...

Milan, Missoni, and Me

It's official! Tyler and I will be heading to Italy in April. I feel absolutely thrilled and blessed to be able to do this. I've never even been to the east coast of THIS country so it will be a whole new world for me. We'll be going to Florence and Milan for Euro Cucina (which is a European Kitchen show). There will be wine, and fashion, and kitchens!
Perfetto.
I got this design yesterday courtesy of one Miss Debi Jones and I believe it's completely appropriate for my trip; must replicate come spring!
Missoni, you have nothing on me this month, but in honor of your bellissima Italian fashion:

Pea is for Pumpkin

Pearson was super excited for the pumpkin patch this year. So much so she happily abandoned the ipad (which she only gets to use on weekends) to go. Right away she zoned in on her perfect pumpkin selections. Harper was in a BAD mood which was about to drive us all stark raving mad, until...
Until her eyes lit up on this:

It was quite the meltdown trying to pry her hands off the rusted wheel of this, let me tell you...
Standard operating procedure for me at the pumpkin patch is avoid dirt, pick some moldy pumpkins, and thus lose my focus ending the session with less than a stellar set of pictures.
This year has brought new traditions and a flipped switch. Tyler is now the official pumpkin picker. He found some beauties. Harper fell face down in the mud and got SOAKED in murky mud from head to toe. I don't even care. It was hilarious; her clothes are now drying on the porch. And lastly, I am oh so pleased with these pictures; really, I am giddy with glee over these...and yes, there are many I literally can not choose just a few.
Here's to next year, may we get dirtier, pick prize-winners, and another perfect set of shots...