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Halloween..Glassford Style

Every Halloween we make the short trip one street over to my dad's neighborhood for some good, old fashioned trick or treating. I just love how the neighbors decorate their house, hang out in the driveway to pass out candy, and know everyone by name. In this day in age, rarely do neighbors gather outside as a community of people, as it seems the daily life of quick hellos have become the norm. However, Halloween seems to be the one exception to this daily life, and how great is it to get people outside the four walls of their house to associate with one another!? I had a great childhood with awesome neighbors growing up and for my kids to have neighbors they associate with is pretty important to me. :) I think I also fell asleep to a popular theme song "...where everybody knows your name.." every night once Santa brought me a TV when I turned 9, which maybe led to some hopeful dreaming.
Back to the trick-or-treating fun, the kids did surprisingly well considering the 72 hours prior were pretty much non-stop. I think usually people give a little extra to the little kids, assuming they won't get to trick or treat as far as the older kids. However, my little energizer bunnies just go and go and go. This means, loads and loads of candy!! Which in turn means momma needs extra workouts at the gym. I hope everyone's Halloween's were happy and full of too much candy and a lot of fun!

Back on the Bandwagon..

Our little 3 day getaway was a huge hit and I'm having a hard time getting back to our routine after such fabulousness! We ended up hanging out with a few other families we're close with while in Orlando, which made for even more fun for not only us, but the kids as well. Hours were spent at our hotels' water parks, we hung out for a day at Disney (Magic Kingdom), and ended our trip with a fun night at a Hibachi grill with our entire party. Oh, and I think my favorite thing of all was a trip to Fuddruckers. I'm probably the only person who has never been to one, which quite frankly, was probably a good thing. The food was great, their dessert bar was so adorable (with all kinds of cakes, hard ice cream, cookies, etc.) and the service was excellent. With 5 kids, I LOVE the kind of restaurants where you walk up order and in a matter of minutes your food is ready, and amazingly everyones patience is still in tact!

Here's a few pics from our fun weekend away. I can't tell you how easy and great is was to take a baby-free vacation!!
(Don't mind the crap quality of the pics..they we're taken with my point and shoot..)









We came back on Halloween just in time for the kids to trick or treat, which I will save for another post this week. Maybe I should also make a post this week about how I'm going to lose the FIVE pounds I gained after a 3 day vacation. Between Disney food, Dunkin Donuts and Fuddruckers, I just don't think it can get much fattier than that!

A Little Laughter.

Before we head out for the weekend for a much needed family vaca, I'll leave you with a little sneak peak from our wedding last weekend. Jackie is so beautiful, inside and out and her carefree, super sweet, smiling self left such an imprint on me (Seriously. I am not just saying that). I honestly cannot tell you how much I love love love my job. Never in a million years did I think I would be where I am today, but know I am so grateful. Working with people like Rod and Jackie and making new friends with each wedding I shoot makes me feel like a pretty lucky girl. On that note, here she is in (one of my) favorite pictures from the day. Oh, and how can you not adore the three little girls around her. They just melts my heart!! Have a great weekend and Happy Halloween!!

After Much Work...It's Time for Play!

After weddings the last four weekends straight (two of them in West Palm), my family and I are taking a much needed, little getaway to Orlando this weekend. Although we don't have many plans, I have no doubt there will very little down time. We're staying at the Nickelodeon hotel (www.nickhotel.com) which is always great fun for the kids. Not only is the hotel big enough to fit my enormous family size (pretty much 2 bedrooms-king bed in one and bunks in the other, with a living/kitchen room) but the waterparks (yes, that's plural) keep the kids thrilled for hours on end. I'm pretty sure we'll hit up Magic Kingdom and maybe Hollywood Studios one day too, which should be interesting considering our parent-child ratio. In the years past, we've always brought a nanny (ie. my sister and the kids wonderful aunt) to help out with the craziness. For some reason, we now think we're brave enough to take it on ourselves. We're all very excited and can't wait for our little vacation!!
As a mom, it's times and memories like these that my kids remember when they're grown. Even though our family is large and spending time together as a whole has definitely become more difficult, I hope they still see great value and importance of family. Throughout this weekend of being together, I know there will be challenges and frustrating times, but I have great hope that our fun memories, loving moments and bonding experiences will leave a forever imprint in our kids hearts and lives.
I leave you with a few pics from our last trip to the Nick Hotel, which was in May earlier this year. They're obviously not the best of quality, but they're my treasures none the less. :)

Just Another Manic Monday!

But, alas, it's a great day! After a lovely trip to the gym (where I almost died thanks to my friend, spin class), I took the boys to Target to get some birthday shopping done for Kevin. Of course, while shopping the boys needed lunch, so the quickest and easiest thing was the Pizza Hut pizza waiting oh so closely at the little food court. In the end, I'm pretty sure I ended up eating about 75% of THEIR lunch.
Back to birthdays, I want to wish my second oldest little (but he's really not THAT little anymore..) boy, Kevin the happiest of birthdays tomorrow. I can't believe he's turning 11. It truly seems like he was just a little mischevious 3 year old yesterday. I'm so proud of who he is becoming and how he is maturing. This boy has brains like Einstein and I can't wait to see what his future holds. I pray he grows in his relationship with God and follows His will throughout this year and the years to come. I love you buddy!! I hope you have so much fun being 11!
In other birthday news, my day last week was quite the success. I seriously had the best birthday I can remember. It started with a trip to the gym (such a love/hate relationship), then a WONDERFUL lunch at Chilis with the best friends anyone could wish for (THANKS GUYS! LOVE YOU!!). After lunch, a birthday would never be complete (at least for me) without a little shopping. Off to Miromar I went with Kyla and one of my best friends in tow. Got some great new sneaks, some clothes and just had so much fun shopping without all the boys in tow. To end the day, my sister came to babysit so Kirt and I could go do more shopping, dinner and a movie. I honestly could not have asked for anything better. Thanks to all to made my birthday so sweet and special!!!

...Keep your eyes out..coming soon is Rod and Jackie's wedding and you WON'T want to miss it- absolutely gorgeous couple and fantastic wedding!!

Ryan and Stephanie

October 9, 2009
Gulf Harbor
Fort Myers, FL

When I first met with Stephanie I hoped more than anything that she would choose me to photograph her wedding. She had so many little details planned (and I am a total detail person) as well as a gorgeous ceremony/reception site. I had been looking forward to this day for quite some time and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to take part in your first day as husband and wife.

Listening to the harpist and violinist play while the waves crashed gently, yet noticeably in the background was an unforgettable sound as Stephanie crossed the bridge to begin her walk down the aisle. At the same time, seeing the anticipation on Ryan's face and then the smile as he saw his bride for the first time was even more significant. The scenery and location were just to die for, saying their vows on a private island on the river with tall palm trees and greenery all around.

Their beached theme wedding featured a gorgeous cake with sand surrounding the bottom layer, centerpieces with fishbowls and floating candles, and umbrella place cards sitting creatively in a sand creation at the entry way to the reception. A night full of dancing, smiles, kissing, football (it was the night of a big game..UF/LSU..Go Gators!), and most importantly love. A love that was so evident from beginning to end. Congratulations Ryan and Stephanie on your marriage. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness and joy. Your day was truly fabulous and I truly hope this was only the beginning of what is to come during your years together.