'Twas the Weekend of Halloween.

Did anyone else feel like Halloween was a weekend affair rather than one solid night?

There were the office and school parties/ parades on Friday.

We spent the Holiday with family in Utah,
so naturally we trick or treated on Saturday.

By Sunday, I had completely moved on to my Spirit of Thanksgiving

 and was alarmed by trick or treaters on my front porch back here in Oregon!

Well anyways, 

Here is my Yummy Cupcake and my way fly Airplane Guy...
and my Joe Dirt Dad. 

Adieu to Summer.

Summer dropped by for no more than 2 months out here in Oregon

 (and that may even be an exaggeration.) 

We're crossing our fingers the Sun will make an occasional visit this Fall.

Anyways,

To bid farewell to this most precious season, we took one last trip to Utah so we could have one last dip in the pool at Gammy's,

one last family BBQ,

one last Marshmallow Roast,

of course until

the leaves quit falling,

and the snow stops snowing,

and the rainy soil dries up

and the buds fight to the surface,  

and then He (I mean Summer) will come back to us

and we can frolic in his life giving rays of sunshine and bounty and love, all over again.

I take solace knowing He never leaves us permanantly ;
 He always comes as promised;
the cycle doesn't fail
(even if His visit is short-lived :( )

Until then,

my nearly broken heart somewhat still beats for

a holiday season of pumpkins, and cornucopias, and twinkle lights on evergreen trees.

p.s.

Here are some of our last scenes of Summer

while in Utah.

This was the Sheepdog Competition up Provo Canyon

which Eric and I actually found really thrilling.

Which may be evidence that we lead fairly dull lives....

especially when I got excited that these two (pictured below) could potentially be us two in the future.

Backyard Campouts just may take the cake, or rather the Mallow, on family vacations for me... It made camping with kids way too easy!

I know summer is officially over now that GoGo has had to put on clothes again...she was a bit of a nakey savage looking thing all summer.

Day One.

Today Walter Eric Red and Carly Runia Red have been married for five years.

I assume we should give eachother high five's or something to applaud our making it five years; but to be frank, five years seems so diminutive a measure as to sum these years of our union in marriage. 

Perhaps it seems diminishing because I don't quite know life apart from E. Red. 

 I think with him I was made whole, fulfilled, complete;

almost living as a half-ling pre-Eric.

Like how the law of Moses was fulfilled in Christ, so was Carly fulfilled in Eric.

(Was that inappropriate?!)

  Now our family has grown to four; and I, as a person, have gained 3 new souls to inhabit my own.

And so it seems life began the day I became Mrs. Red.

So to acknowledge I've been alive as a completed person only five years seems abrupt, to say the least.

Yet, I guess it laudable on this day, August 20th, 2010  to celebrate the commencement of a once half-ling, five years back,

who had her first taste of life in fullness on August 20th, 2005.

p.s.

Amazing how 5 years (including 2 kids) aged us!


p.p.s.
Eric this is your anniversary card this year...so don't expect another drooly exclamation of my love for you.

76 Trombones Led the Big Parade.

Despite poopy weather

and despite our hankering for our home town's

 notorious July 4th hullabaloo (Provo),

this patriotic, holiday weekend spent in Portland was quite enjoyable!

The Hillsboro Independence Day Parade was especially charming,

along with nummy bbq's,

 and great fireworks, 

and good company.

p.s.

Margot's 4th documented on the update blog.

Fishing in Mexico.

Wednesday Night:

         Eric: "My family heads to Mexico this Friday for their annual fishing trip."

        Carly: "I could sure use some sun, haven't seen it in a few months."
Eric: "Let's go with them."

Carly: "Okay!"

Friday Night:

Red family flies to Utah.

Saturday Night:

Drop off Emmett and Margot with family in Provo.

(Thanks a Ga-zillion Anne Marie and Gram Tam!)

Sunday Night:

               Carly and Eric fall asleep in San Carlos, Mexico.

p.s. I thought the fish I caught was pretty great...until 20 minutes later when Eric caught Big Juan.

   

p.p.s.

 I've made a vow to be more spontaneous, and admonish all to do the same.

So worth it!

Past His Due Date.

Us Reds traveled to Utah to give bro. #3, Tanner Hunt Runia, a welcome home from 2 years abroad in Budapest, Hungary. 

Still here in Utah, but no Tanner, not to mention the Runia parentals

along with bro. #4,  Nolan.

Wanna know why?

Volcanoes.

All 4 are stuck in Europe while the rest of us just wait....

Wanna know what this is?

A pain in the Ash.

p.s.

Meanwhile, Margot and Emmett are tending to your beloved chicks, Dad.

Don't you worry.

Bodyguard.

I'm getting weary of this.

I mean the role I've been obligated to assume as Margot Red's full-time bodyguard.

There is one, single persecutor.
We frequently refer to him as, "Mett Mett."

Super nice, older brother snuggle buggles turn suddenly, with no explanation, into this:

 headlocks, bodyslams, choke holes.

Look at the acute terror in her eyes!

Emmett's best friend since Margot's birth, has not been Margot (obviously), but the corner...with his nose stuck in it.

p.s.

No. 

This photo was not staged.

And, yes.

I, Kevin Costner-esque like, came to her rescue.
(Get it...from "The Bodyguard")

p.p.s.
FYI: I keep the "Margot and Emmett Update Blog" updated...at least more frequently than this one. (See right panel)

Sunshine's 1st Birthday.

Remember how on February 15th 2009 how we "Met Margot" for the first time.

And Remember how it is February 15th 2010 and I'm in wonder as I search for the past year, flabbergasted by its sudden disappearance.

And now she is a 1 year old; charmed by a jewelry box and a tutu.

p.s.

The sun came out for Sunshine's birthday.

Coincidence? I don't think so.