Happy Halloween!

Halloween was such a fun time for our family this year! First we enjoyed the amazing pumpkin patch at the Dallas Arboretum. We met up with the Brazeals and Keys (from our previous community group at Watermark church) for coffee, pumpkins and family photos.

Then we celebrated at the fun Frito-Lay family Halloween parade, which was organized by our dear friend Nicole. Reese started as a ballerina, but then Dana suggested we add some fairy wings that her cousins Skylar and Larkin had brought for her birthday. So maybe she was more of a ballerina fairy? Whatever it was, she was darn cute : ) Finally we took Reese to her Halloween party at Carpe Diem preschool, where we had fun watching her laugh a lot and dance around.

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I love seeing all of the children in their cute costumes... and I think Reese is the cutest of all!

Wine Country Weddings

October 13 I had the pleasure of seeing two people who I love dearly get married. My friend Janelle married Mike Zbuchalski in a beautiful ceremony that was incredibly touching for me, as I take some credit in them getting together (since I suggested to her that they'd be a great couple). Dana's brother, Sam, also chose this date to wed his fiancee Sheena. Lucky for us, both weddings ended up being in California wine country, so I was able to attend both of them on the same day! We stayed for a long weekend at an amazing resort in St. Helena called Meadowood. This place was truly incredible, and it was super convenient because that's where the wedding happened on Saturday and a croquet event on Sunday. Our wonderful in-laws babysat Reese so that Dana and I could escape to get a couples massage at the spa. It was blissful to have a quiet morning away to ourselves! The wedding weekend was the most incredible that I've ever experienced... and that says a lot since we've been to quite a few weddings! Every detail was just amazingly thought through. It was like we were in a Martha Stewart magazine for the weekend! Events included a lakeside BBQ at Stags Leap winery, an incredible many many many course meal at Redd Wood restaurant, a beautiful outdoor wedding followed by a traditional Chinese tea ceremony, a black tie reception and a croquet brunch. Dana was the best man and he gave a really touching speech, despite the fact that all 3 of us were so, so sick! We almost didn't make it to the wedding at all, and I had to back out of doing a reading at the ceremony because I was so hoarse. It was a weekend we'll never forget... and we are so grateful to Sam and Sheena for their incredible hospitality. We wish both Sam and Sheena, and Janelle and Mike a lifetime of happiness and wedded bliss. We love you all!