Halloween 2024

Halloween photo dump!

This was our first Halloween where Steve and I didn't go out with the kids and Jessi was at a friend's house! It was different, but still fun. Emily and Kassie made it back just in time to sort through their candy and hand out the rejects (Steve and I were about to run out).

Jessi had a great time with her bff! Thankfully her mom sent me a couple of pictures.

Happy Halloween!

Daddy is 41!

Steve was spoiled today with beautiful weather (22°C!), homemade cards, family walks, and chocolate lava cakes. He received calls and messages from friends and relatives, and Papa David even stopped by to wish Steve a happy birthday and deliver some gifts, including adorable childhood photos. A great way to celebrate turning 41!

We love you, Feebs! ♥

Mazes & Braces

We had a relatively quiet Thanksgiving weekend since Emily was sick for the first couple of days. We did manage to get out for two events: turkey dinner at my parents' and a visit to the Wynn Farms Corn Maze. This year we tried something different at the maze: we didn't use the map at all to find each clue station. Steve and I raced against Jessi and Emily to see who could get to all the stations first using only our sense of direction and memory. It was fun!

The map we didn't see

We ran into our opponents a couple of times

In other news, I got my braces on Tuesday! First I had to have my upper left first premolar removed the week before. That appointment went smoothly thanks to the nitrous oxide that left me feeling pretty relaxed. It was actually kind of interesting! Recovery included a few hours of gauze compressions and soft foods for a couple of days.

Making apple sauce before my appointment -- Goodbye tooth!

Ouch

My new gap-toothed smile

Emily joined me for my big appointment on Tuesday so I got a few action shots of the braces being installed. The worst part was just the bitter taste of the glue.

How do I look?

I did it!

It's hard to believe it's only been a couple of days. The discomfort hasn't been too bad and I am well stocked with soups, pear and apple sauce, yogurt, smoothies, protein shakes, and even chocolate mousse and ice cream for dessert. I've actually been enjoying the extra cleaning routines that leave my mouth feeling really fresh. The hardest thing so far has just been getting used to seeing all that gray metal in my mouth. The fun part is: Emily and I match!

Blue dots to stop me from biting on the brackets

My first meal with braces!

Making me chocolate mousse ♥

Mother-daughter braces

It's the start of a big chapter and I am so excited!