flower gleam and glow, let your power shine

Pixie, kobold, elf, and sprite,
All are on their rounds tonight;
In the wan moon's silver ray,
Thrives their helter-skelter play.
~Joel Benton

The witching hour was close at hand, but not too close to enjoy a Bonfire Party at the Knickmeyers.  I was a ballerina (because I had a bag full of unused leotards and tights) and Aaron wore his Cardinals shirt in celebration of the win.  We had a wonderful time and the weather was chilly enough not to freeze us, but to make the warmth of the fire delightful.

Then it was pumpkin carving time:)  The hubby helped, thank goodness for the manpower.

Not the best picture of me, but my Mister certainly looks handsome.

Pumpkin carving and Hocus Pocus are a perfect pair.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, a Weir Family tradition...and very yummy I might add.

I passed out the candy and supplied the spooky sound effects.  It was a wonderful night and I enjoyed having so many little ghouls and goblins to give candy to.

I must admit, after the Halloween festivities were over I was in for a shocker.  The end of the semester is looming and so are the projects, papers, and tests.  I have been doing homework nonstop and the past few weeks have been busy.  My poor husband went to bed hours before I did two nights last week and I was officially exhausted once the weekend hit.  Thankfully, many of my big assignments are finished and Thanksgiving offers a much needed week of rest.

Family time was the name of the game last Saturday evening when our niece came over for a sleepover.  She and Brutus were little buddies on Sunday morning.  Jordan was anxiously awaiting blueberry muffins and Brutus was joining in.

Aren't they adorable?  This picture has got to be one of the cutest of the Jordan-Brutus set.

Now I get to really feel old.  My little sister recently attended her first homecoming dance of high school.  I offered my services as a big sis and went to help her get ready.  She let me do her hair, makeup, and even choose her jewelry.  Personally, she didn't need much to be gorgeous.  She's a natural.

She looked incredible.  Even Marley wanted a picture with her.

We took lots of pictures waiting for her date.  She claimed not to be nervous, but I remember those days, even if they were a long, long, long time ago.

Will, a former classmate from A.S.H., was the perfect gentlemen.  I had to force the two to stand closer than two feet apart for the pictures.

I'll admit, I cried a few tears.  I cannot believe my little sister is so grown up, gorgeous, and ready for a homecoming dance.  She isn't the little girl with the blonde bob who used to climb in bed with me every weekend morning. She isn't the little girl who I told stories to, or comforted when she had nightmares, or played polly pockets with.  She's a young lady and I am one proud big sister.

Someone else is growing up in the family...Brutus!  He is now 8 months old and a big 52 pound boy.

He is the light of my life.  Truly the most wonderful pup in the world. 

Even when he is covered in mud on the way home from the dog park, I would kiss him and cuddle him just the same.

That glowing ball is one of the new toys he got for his special day and he LOVES it.  It is pretty hilarious when the vibration shakes his entire head when he picks it up.  I think he is trying to turn it off.  It makes an annoying noise that even he doesn't like.

Brutus Norman turning 8 months old is hard to believe.  When he was 8 weeks old he rode home in a laundry basket and now he sits in the front seat.

His little body used to barely fill that bed and now he has nearly outgrown it.

Brutus is our baby.  We are so lucky to have a happy-go-lucky pup in our lives.

Even when we go on a car ride he is photogenic.  I mean, look at that little nose.

Happy 8 months little boy.  Mommy and Daddy love you very much.  We can't wait to see what you do next.