Ballet

Ellie's ballet recital was today. It was beyond adorable. It's always amazing how much you learn about your kids as they conquer new experiences, and today was no exception. Ellie was confident, poised and hilarious!

Photobomb

I was trying to get a picture of the "feast" the girls had out for their stuffed animals, but Ellie had other plans.

Pumpkin Seed

"I got dis punkin seed at school today. We pulled it from a REAL PUNIKIN! It was GOOOOOEY inside! It was like a watermelon in it, but ow-wange! We has to pick the seeds out so we can SAVE them and eat them!"

Leaves

There really isn't a much prettier place you can find in the fall than FaFa and Magee's house. The leaves were just gorgeous. We also enjoyed visiting with the chickens and admiring the (contained) evil rooster.

Run, Rosie, Run

This old gal still surprises me sometimes with her bursts of energy and playfulness.

Box

We went to Charlottesville over the weekend and when we got to Jommy and Pops' house there was a huge box waiting for the girls in the front yard. The note attached said that it "dropped from the sky" so that they could have fun playing in it and and decorating it. They definitely did!

Fall Festival

We went to the Fall Festival at Short Pump ES. The girls had a blast going in the haunted house, getting their hair painted, seeing friends and teachers, and eating way too much candy.

Naptime

Sweet girl couldn't stay awake while waiting to get Norah from school.

Sunflowers

Buying fresh flowers seems like such a small indulgence at the store, but they really do give me such happiness when I have them!

Good Morning

Everyone needs some down time before starting their day!  

Dress up

Just a typical day in the Sartori house.

New friend

Norah made quick friends with the skeleton in our front yard as part of our Halloween decorations.

Mike's birthday

We celebrated Mike's birthday over the weekend. The girls got him a singing underwear card, we got to go out to dinner with Mollie and Niko on Saturday night, and MeMe came over and got us dinner on Sunday night. I think for sure his favorite was the singing underwear card!

Chili bowls

I inherited my grandmother Nette's chili bowls, which I love. I made a new chili recipe and we used them for the first time. The girls said "are these bowls or mugs?!" Either way, it made me think about the family that has influenced me and how happy I am to have my little family eating from these now. How I wish the girls could have known Nette and her funny jokes and fiery personality.

Leaves

Lounging in the leaves together.

Fire Pit Season

We had our first official fire pit of the season on Friday night with friends. The weather was perfect, we had s'mores and the kids stayed up almost two hours past their bedtime. So fun!

Come on In, Stay a While

We were gifted this house by our friends who are moving from the cul-de-sac. Ellie's made herself right at home.

Fall Details

Cowgirls

We went to ride horses at Cedar Knoll Farm and the girls absolutely loved it.

Mountains

Mike and Syliva took the girls to the mountains for their annual Columbus Day trip. They had a blast.

Norah self-portrait

I love this self-portrait that Norah made using shapes at school.

Music Lady

Tiny hipster musician.

Skeleton

Checking out the new addition(s) to our front yard for Halloween. Let's just say the decorations this year are over 10 times what I EVER thought I would have in my front yard, but I'm loving it!

New Orleans 6

We rounded out our visit with a trip to Cafe Du Monde for some beignets. Then, home to see our girls!

New Orleans 5

The wedding was on our second night of the trip. It was at the St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square. The reception was held at Muriels next door, which was filled with old charm and amazing New Orleans food and drinks. Some of the rooms were reported to be haunted (Mike is testing out that theory with some dancing). After the wedding, we participated in a "second line," in which a jazz band comes and leads all of the guests from the wedding down the street in a parade through the city. It was SO fun and such a treat to participate in that tradition!

New Orleans 4

On the morning of our second day, we went to breakfast, got an irish coffee to go, and went on a carriage tour around the French Quarter. We also went to Saint Louis Cemetery, which is the oldest above ground cemetery in the US. The large white triangle is Nicholas Cages' tomb, all ready to go. It was a little creepy, but the crypts also had some amazing old construction.

I also fell in love with the old southern charm of New Orleans. The amazing colors and classic construction of the buildings, and the people were so nice and laid back. One of my favorite cities so far!

New Orleans 3

Our first day there, we had a seafood lunch overlooking Royal Street, went to Pat O'Briens for a hurricane, walked around and looked at the art in Jackson Square, enjoyed a cocktail in our hotel courtyard, and went to dinner with old friends. And the weather was perfect. Couldn't ask for much better!