Because they are just as hip and fun as they look.

And I remembered.

That I still hadn’t sent my Grandma a disc of pictures from the wedding.

Um. It was months ago.

So while I won’t be winning any titles for Most Responsible Granddaughter…

I did enjoy going through the pictures tonight and (gasp) actually burning a disc for her.

And now, to assuage my guilt, I’m posting some of those family pictures she’s been waiting for (high-resolution copies are in the mail!).

And for the rest of you, since you were so patient through this post–

Here’s what Arthur looks like if he’s allowed to stay up an hour or two past his bedtime, eat cupcakes, and dance under flashing lights:

Yes- he is that blur. Busting some crazy moves.

Apparently too much for me to write about? I’m usually one to do a lot of processing here, in writing, but I just couldn’t quite get there.

I think it’s been a long enough break. So time for some catching up:

1. We went to Mexico City at the end of October and it was amazing. Not because it’s a super glamorous place, or made our hearts go pitter-patter, but because we both felt deeply that it was the place we had been praying about. And the partnership.

2. I didn’t bring my real camera, because I hadn’t quite figured out what it would be like to care for my kids well in that crazy mega-city, and thought it best to be undistracted by things like aperture and shutter speed. Little did I know, the lack of those options could be equally distracting! I have some pictures, and I’ll post several… but they leave something to be desired.

2. Penelope loved Mexico. She still thanks God for the “orange train” nearly every night.

3. Arthur hated it. In an all-consuming, unhappiest-we’ve-ever-seen-him kind of way. But when we came back, he hated California for a full 2 weeks too, so we think it may have just been a phase.

4. After Mexico City, I increased my hours at work to help another department. It meant cool things like a raise and benefits, all while my kiddos are napping in the afternoon, but you know… that’s a couple less hours in my day. Life is a little busier, but not in a bad way.

5. Next up came an evaluation having to do with our little girl. We still haven’t wrestled through what it looks like to respect her privacy, and still be transparent about our lives, but we’re working on it. We learned a lot about our quirky (ahem. awesome) Penelope, and some unique challenges that she’ll have… just in the way she’s knit together. It’s the kind of thing we need to dive headfirst in to – gathering info, figuring out what kind of support and help is going to benefit her most, and what that means for our family. Our kind and compassionate missions agency agrees. They want us to put everything related to support-raising on hold for six-months. They were kind and quick to reassure us that we are 100% part of the reach global family, and they want to support us through this journey – but that it’s most important at this point to take care of sweet Penelope.

6. Number 5 is really, very hard for us. But we’re learning (again, and again) to trust. And hope. And wait. Pray with us?

7. Then came Thanksgiving. At just the right time, truly. We shared a meal in the barn, and then played shuffleboard in our hallway. Obviously.

8. At the beginning of this month, Casey finished the final lap of his degree. Oh the sweet, sweet feeling of completion. He technically graduated yesterday. There was much dancing in the streets.

9. Now we prep for Christmas. Isn’t this just the best time of year?

10. Why you all check this thing – pictures of the kids. Here’s a random smattering:

The compound pumpkin carving contest. We attempted (successfully) to bribe the judge. Yes!

barn shuffleboard: first edition

turkey table

zoo trip

stirring some dry beans very seriously.

Look for a full newsletter later this week, and more regular blog updates!

and was a wonderfully happy groom.

more pictures forthcoming.

We celebrated Heather with a simple, lovely shower. Games were kept to a minimum; conversation was the main event.

After spending just a little more time with Heather and her friends and family, I can affirm {again} that my brother Paul is a lucky guy!

the ring bearer and flower girl

recipe links:

individual mac-n-cheese

bacon-wrapped lil’smokies

soft pretzels

and then a few other dishes that wouldn’t really have a recipe… like fresh fruit on skewers and lemonade in mason jars.

the kids spend time with their grandparents, regularly.

one of my least favorite parts:

the kids break their grandparents’stuff, regularly.

• Allie Grace. 7lbs even, 19.75 inches
• Beth labored for thirty hours.
• Mama and baby are doing great.
• In case you couldn’t tell, Allie has Daddy’s toes.
• Her cousin Penelope has a similar situation.

The root of night-before-party jitters: What if she gets 7 copies of Brown Bear, Brown Bear?!

The details:

• Food: Green Eggs and Ham, scones and Jamberry, too hot coffee and too cold tea (Goldilocks), Magic Beanstalks, Johnny Appleseed fruit dip, various sweets
• Games: A play on children’s book titles (via), and a personalized crossword puzzle
• Favors: Jeweled bookmarks (“book floss”)

A few photos I snapped before diving in and enjoying the good company:

And get this. Beth and her sister are due the same week. Both having girls.

I finished Allie’s quilt just in time. It has plenty of imperfections, but I had a lot of fun sewing it. Now all that’s left to do is to meet and cuddle that sweet girl. I’m really beside myself with excitement. A swaddled little newborn again? And no labor? Oh yes, this is good.

So pray for Ryan & Beth, they’re at that exciting “Wait, was that a real contraction? Is it time?!” stage. And soon everything will change, in the best of ways.

It is a really simple patchwork pattern. I think next I’d like to tackle something a little more elaborate. Like maybe this or this? (via girlCasey)

But not this kind of firefighter (though, there is an engine at his station):

No he put in lots of years {read: countless brushfires}, so he’s earned a place at a different kind of station. He works on the fireboat. Therefore, we enjoyed a nice little Christmas Eve cruise.

Can you tell Casey was having a good day? (yay!)

Thanks, Gramps!

My grandparents live in a {beautiful} home just outside of Phoenix. We were so determined to make it there that we drove all the way from Amarillo, Texas. Feel free to map that. It took 15 hours.

We were  thrilled to see them. And the warm bowl of albondigas soup. And the {non-motel-6} bed.

Grandma has always been reminded of her firstborn son when she sees pictures of Arthur. She finally got her hands on him..

And Aunt Mary and Uncle Wayne have recently relocated to Arizona. They were kind enough to make the drive to see us. I can’t wait to see them again, with a little more sleep under my belt. And a little of Uncle Wayne’s Chile Verde in my stomach.

Dad and Papa managed to squeeze in a round of golf. Economou men are hardy stock. Especially when it comes to fitting golf games into busy/tiring days.

And this little stinker? Well, she shared a lovely parting gift with her great grandparents. The stomach flu. Sorry Papa!