God-babies

Dan & I have never been godparents before, and then much to our surprise (and sheer delight), we were asked to be godparents twice over in the span of one week! I cannot tell you the tremendous joy and deep honor this has brought both of us; I feel so blessed to spend my lifetime developing special relationships with these two sweet little angels. And I know I might be slightly biased, but I think even Cinderella's fairy godmother would have to agree that I have the world's cutest godchildren. I don't know if body nibbling was in the godmother job description, so sometimes I have to stop myself from nibbling their cheeks, thighs and toes. Can you blame me?

Also, did I mention that they're cousins, and about two months apart in age? I'm in heaven. And I'm in love. And when they spit up on me, it's so adorable that I don't even mind.

Cyberspace, please meet Baby Siobhan and Baby Mick:

(See? I wasn't joking. The cuteness factor is off the charts. And the thigh rolls of love??? To die for).

All Things Pumpkin

I've always felt there's something particularly marvelous about a pumpkin patch. Maybe it all originates from watching Cinderella for the first time as a little princess myself,  and seeing that jolly old Fairy Godmother transform pumpkins into a carriage with her magical Bippity Boppity Boos. (I always wanted a Fairy Godmother. Or even a Godmother, really. When I realized there was no such thing as a Fairy Godmother, I'm pretty sure I took it much harder than learning there was no Santa Claus. Because Santa never changes ANYthing using Princess magic).

Maybe it's just because pumpkin patches inevitably = Fall. And boy oh boy, do I love this season. Everything about it screams cozy! The clothing, the weather, the food, the colors, the Pumpkin Spice Lattes, the invitation to put the flip flops away and replace them with boots, the football games, the decor, the fires waiting to be lit in the fireplace, the persimmon orchard in bloom at my parents house, the Pumpkin Cheesecake I'm going to make later in the week.... it all just feels like one giant hug to me. I want to cuddle up with a soy chai just thinking about this. In fact, that's a great idea. I'm going to indulge in my chai that is suddently urgently calling my name and leave you with pictures from today's first Pumpkin Patch Outing of the year (aside from the one we visit in our side yard, of course). This was Ella's first experience with a Pumpkin Patch and she was a natural. Tried to eat the pumpkins and everything. She was practically figuring out a way to whip up a pumpkin pie right then and there. Isn't she the smartest?