fall festivities

This time of the year is full of fun over at the Nielsen home. Between Halloween, Sam's bday, my bday, Thanksgiving and Christmas... there is always something to celebrate or get geared up for. The past two weeks we've had fun celebrating Halloween and Sam's birthday.

A few weekends ago we met up with Amanda and her husband, Eric, for a yummy dinner and then pumpkin carving. Of course our staple pumpkin chocolate chip cookies accompanied our pumpkin carving time since that is only natural. Amanda and I opted to paint instead of carve...

The line up of the finished products...

Of course, Sam was a clever one with what he thought to carve. Sad I won't get to cheer on my Suns this year. I thought his pumpkin looked pretty good lit up! 

Last Friday my work celebrated Halloween just as big as they usually do. It is pretty much mandatory to come in costume and at the end of the day everyone's kids come in for some trick-or-treating through the office. I was a toddler. I loved my friend Whitney's version of Edward Scissorhands. (I promise I don't usually do myspace pics but I snapped one before heading out to show my little niece in California I was serious when I said I was going to dress like a baby!)

If you care at all and want to be entertained by viewing my office and coworkers on OrangeSoda's favorite holiday, you can view here.

Saturday night we went with some friends out to the Cheesecake Factory to celebrate Sam's birthday! (I love that man and I love celebrating him). Cheesecake never disappoints so it was enjoyable as predicted. We then finished the night off making caramel apples at our place.

Sunday was Sammy's actual bday. We had the privilege to attend G's wonderful Halloween party. The annual party is always full of food, costumes, bingo, a pinata and great prizes!!! It was so fun to see all of the cousins, especially their little ones dressed up in costume.

And, the party was finished off with Sammy blowing out some candles on a birthday cake! My favorite 24 year old.

The fall season has been great. This week the weather is taking a turn for the worst, and I am never ready for that. I experienced the cold first hand this morning as I sat on my doorstep frantically calling for a ride to work. I had locked the door to our place (from the inside) stepped outside and shut the door only to discover I hadn't grabbed my keys. Reallll coool. Sammy was already on campus and had a quiz first thing in the morning. My dear friend Sara went out of her way to pick me up on her way to work. While I waited, shivering, my neighbors opened up their door to take out some trash and saw me, they graciously invited me in so I wouldn't freeze. :) I am grateful for nice people.