High Winds and Halloween

Being surrounded by large colorful trees is awesome.  The clean up of all the leaves, well that's another story.  We spent the day before the storm trying to clear away as many as we could to avoid stopping up drains etc..  Now that the storm has passed our efforts look pointless.  

Some of us found other ways of working with the leaves.  I will have to give it to this girl..she loves to rake.  Let's see how long that last.

Poor Molly didn't stand a chance and gladly accepted the piling on of leaves.

You know how just before a large storm you see on the news all these nuts who feel the need to go down to the water and see if anything is happening and you think to yourself, why?  I'm sad to say that we were those nuts on Sunday afternoon.  I'm still wondering why???

On Monday morning as things started picking up several of the animals were out feeding in our yard.

Blessed that this is our only damage

Living in New England is providing Matt with a whole new skill set.  He now owns a chainsaw and can even use it.  Ha!  Just kidding Matt.

Doc McStuffins: Source

       The Doc is In                        

Lily Grace and Lucy having fun trick or treating

I've lived in the south my whole life and only once do I remember a tornado coming within very close proximity to where I lived.  I've lived in CT for just under 5 months and I have lived through a big hurricane.  Nonetheless, we made it through and are so blessed to say that we never even lost our power. We were a part of the only 11% to do so.  Blessed is an understatement as so many people sit with their homes flooded, in the dark and buried under trees.    Please continue to keep all of those people in your prayers.  
I won't lie....it was very scary.  Matt and I really had no idea how to even prepare.  It wasn't until just before the storm that Matt informed me that if we lost power, we also lost water because we are on a well.  We did the usual things like make sure anything that could fly about the yard was put away, filled the tubs, bought cases of water, brought the mattresses downstairs to make it through the night and just watched, prayed and found ways to keep ourselves entertained while we waited.  Again, blessed, blessed, blessed considering the only damage we suffered was the splitting of one of our large trees in the back.  
The next morning brought about the sounds of chainsaws, neighbors calling and helping out neighbors and even a little bit of sunshine now and again.  I  must say, we live in the best little area as people are so helpful and thoughtful around us. We even enjoyed a cookout with neighbors up the street Tuesday evening while Matt and Mike cut up a tree that fell on their back porch, barely missing their home.
The kids have been out of school all week and are scheduled to return on Monday.  I am happy to say for Lily Grace's sake and at least for all the kids in the surrounding neighborhood that Trick or Treating survived the weather.  On a side note about Trick or Treating around here- even after a hurricane, they really do it up.  I can't tell you the number of houses with sound affects, luminaries everywhere and even our next door neighbor with a R.I.P. fog machine filling up his cove.  Lily Grace had the best time meeting up with her friend Lucy who lives just a walk through the woods.  
This year Lily Grace asked to be Disney's Doc McStuffins.  Doc is an adorable character who's stuffed animals come to life in her presence and help her in giving care to all sick and broken toys.  It really is very cute.  It's also a very new character so there is no costume out for her.  It took a good month or two to locate different articles of this outfit to piece together a costume.  She looked adorable I must say!  It was so cold that she had to bundle up and at each house insisted that Matt take her jacket off so when she went up to the door they would know who she was.  A few minutes in, she tripped and fell and after getting up only wanted to know if she still looked good and like Doc.  Funny!!!  This girl takes the costume serious. (like she might be denied a treat from someone if she didn't look like Doc because they would surely know- ha!)
Thanks to everyone who has called, text and emailed.  We are fine and truly appreciate your thoughts and prayers.  I happen to think this Southern family of three held our own pretty well in our first hurricane.  Now let's see what the snow brings this year.  We miss you all bunches!