Tis the season

Nathan and I took the cats into the vet today for their yearly check up and vaccinations. I made the appointment because I care. Do you hear that cats?...because I care. We trick them into their cages because we care. We hide their faces from the dogs (once at the vet) because we care. We pay the vet bill because we care (and because we have to).

...and we apparently feed Kathryn a lot because we care. Kathryn (see my side panel) gained another pound from last year's visit. She is now almost exactly twice as heavy as Mal. The kitties hated their Halloween costumes almost as much as I hate taking off fake eyelashes (it makes me cry, okay), but both are sacrifices we make for the holiday. In light of Kathryn's somewhat recent weight gain, I'm wondering if she'd be willing to make yet another costume sacrifice for yet another holiday:

Halloweekends

October 24: Law school friend party

Nathan's friend, Nate Capperman invited us to a pre-Halloween party at his house. The party was so fun, someone was throwing up by 10:00pm. Fortunately this picture was taken before that happened.

Can you find us?

Just in case, here we are back at home...relaxing.

October 27: Ward Primary Halloween Party

Nathan and I helped out with one of the booths for the kids. We were in charge of "Pumpkin Bowling", which soon became "Taped up and Cracked Pumpkin Bowling". For obvious reasons*, we switched out our costumes a bit.

*who doesn't want to see Nate in this "tache and hat combo just one more time??

Ya, we definitely wanted to find a costume that didn't seem scary for the kids...maybe next year.

Nate convincing the poor witch that his hand had been cut off.

Liz trying to look as scary as the dead "Things" (Thing 1 and Thing 2). Thing 2's proud mom in the background...she'll want to kill me if she sees this, but she spent Halloween in Mexico and is super cute, so I don't feel that bad.

October 30: Law school's "Fall Ball"

James, Rob and an amused Liz.

Nate and most of his moot court team he's coaching. Cleveland is on the left and Pria to the right.

Our favorite picture of the night.

Nate with our favorite curly mullet of the night.

October 31: Halloween parties

Party 1: Brandon and Denay's house.

Party 2: Our house with the Snyder's over.

They brought Lucille (their cat) and we discovered our cats probably shouldn't be forced into a friendship just because their parents like to hang out. Nate was hissing because Kathryn is too wussy to hiss herself.

Party 3: Family pictures.

I'm happy to report I'm not in the least bit tempted by a goth makeup, clothing or hair style. (obviously Nate as well) Waaay too much work. And we'd probably both be waaay unemployable. Happy Halloween!

They be trippin'

Another event that has kept our October exciting was a visit from my parents a couple of weeks back. Here are a few pictures from their stay:

My parents at Marblehead. It was really hot; I mean, really guys, coats??

Nate had a moot court v. law review football game the same day. It was pouring and freezing, so this is about all we saw of the game.

My mom and an exhibit at the Toledo art museum.

Mom and I watched the glass blowing display for a bit-very cool!

Kirtland temple-we finally made it! Special thanks goes out to Google Maps. You suck.

Looking out the windows of the Kirtland visitor center.

Outside the Whitney store. Moments later I would be asked by the sister missionary if I felt okay. After an awkward "yes, I'm just cold", we toured another house. Outside of that house, she stopped me and said "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to single you out. It's just that you look pregnant and I wanted to make sure you felt all right". I struggled with liking this woman after her statement. At least ask, right? And no, I'm not. hiss.

Back room of the Whitney store. This was taken a few moments after we were told President Monson had sat in the very room. That same day. We missed him by possibly the amount of time it took us to be lost. It was sad, but at the same time, very cool that our paths were that close to his that day.

Thanks for coming Mom and Dad!

Apple Festing

The first weekend of October was filled with cold weather, General Conference and the Apple Fest in Holland, Ohio. We've attended the past two years and enjoyed the official kick off to autumn (read: apple fritters) it provides.

In front of MacQueen's store.

I just like the idea of animals wearing necklaces...with pride.

We loved watching these girls dance...with pride. I'm actually not sure how a tween hip hop dancing troupe matches an apple festival, but it was, well, festive?

Also festive: Nathan and the pumpkin assortment.

Doing ponies in front of the ponies.

We didn't, but we liked the sign.

The kitties celebrated the cool weather kick off a bit differently than we did:

It's more love than guilt

I don't often remember my dreams, but more and more often I've picked up bits and pieces, none of which ever make sense. Last night I had a too vivid dream that I was deeply in love with John Krasinski (Jim from the Office). I love the show and his character, and even his cute relationship with Pam, but come on...am I suddenly that person that believes they could be soul mates with some seedy actor? (I'm sure he's nice, but you know what I mean) We were dating (I assume he was Mormon in the dream?) and I just was loving every minute of it.

Then I woke up. Guilty! I felt so guilty, cause it wasn't just a date, it was the kind of good date I only had when I finally went out with Nathan. (aw)

Now that it's evening, I've sorted out my feelings, but this post will help me feel better about the situation...to clear my dream conscience if you will.

This is Natan putting together our new bed. At this point, we'd already spent a long busy day at IKEA. It should also be noted that my job was to put together a lamp (unsuccessful), so we're preetty equally matched in the construction department.

Nate is busy doing this a lot. Kathryn is such a faker.

Nate was willing to eat not one but two pieces of the "bologna" gum my sis so kindly sent me (I can almost hear her self satisfied cackle now).

I'm glad my real date was with Nathan once upon a time. He is busy a lot now with school/work, etc. but I can't picture John/Jim being willing to:

-put together a bed without a needed drill

-study/go to class/lose sleep to help both of us in the long run

-eat bologna gum just to amuse me

...at least he didn't do any of that stuff in my dream, so there.

It's all been done

I am happy to announce that Phyllis passed her salvage inspection with flying colors! That means she is now completely registered and licensed for Ohio and all of my driving needs. I'm glad the old computer monitor, printer, speakers, and random junk from the move in her trunk didn't discourage the inspector from passing Phyllis. It has been 87 days since my accident; with the exception of an illegal week and a half, I haven't had a car for that entire time (that also means taxi could be added to Nate's ever expanding resume). It would be an understatement to just say we are happy to be a two car family again...but I'm saying it anyway (but not typing it twice...all that jumping has made me tired).

My excitement was too much for the BMV, but not too much for the driveway.

An exciting (and true...let's be honestly) accessory that I can now actually use! (thanks Erik)

The whole family is really excited about the news...

Big Screen TV

We aren't moved in enough for me to show pictures; instead I'll show off my picture taking "skills". (It was luck that the squirrel joined the photo). Needless to say, the kitties love the new expanded viewing windows to the outside world.