November's start

So far in November, I have gotten a little more time outside but I am having a really hard time with the adjustment in the sun. I had gotten so used to coming in when it was dark and leaving when it was not yet dark. So now I always feel like I am late since it is a little lighter in the mornings and way darker in the evenings.

I also got to take some pictures outside. The sunlight in the fall is a wonderful thing. The sky is brighter, the leaves reflect so many colors and everything is beautiful. I was very excited to capitalize on this and take a few pictures of one of Steve's original college buddies, Jeremy, and his beautiful fiance, Anna. Beca was with us all day and she did really well as long as we let her into a couple of pictures every once in a while. The day was bright, shining and a wonderful trip down a twisted memory lane. I say twisted because NC State University's campus has undergone quite a number of changes since our days there (generally for the better and it certainly looks cleaner). And it has been a really long time since I did anything over at Meredith, which is still a beautiful campus regardless of what changes they make to it. Here's a few of the adorable couple:

And a few of the pirate princess:

And a few more of the pirate princess on other days this Fall:

This one is showing off a quick outside project. We keep trying to find ways to keep Zoe from digging up the yard as she rounds the corner off the steps to chase a squirrel or bird in the trees (hellllooooo, they are in the tree and you cannot climb that high or fast!). The latest was to add 4 pavers which Beca believes are for her to jump on. Good jumping though!

I don't think I ever told the hammock story. Soooo, we've had a hammock sitting in the garage for MONTHS, as well as a hammock stand in the box in the garage. I had requested it be put up on several occasions but my DH has such a short memory for tasks that do not provide immediate and direct assistance to him and might mean that work has to be performed that is not on a computer. So, one afternoon (I think it was early October), I came home early from work on an absolutely grogeous day - not hot, perfect sun, light breeze - and I was determined that the hammock stand would get put together. The amazing part is that it took me longer to carry all the heavy tubing to the back yard than it took me to put it together. I had the hammock on it in less than 15 minutes and was using Zoe and her ball to make my hammock swing. Now the hammock stand is out whenever we want to use it and the hammock isn't far away. It's been lovely on these fall days except that Beca believes its sole mission is to go "SUPERFAST" like Rocket on Little Einsteins. and she likes to flip in it.