quick texas visit.

i've been crazy homesick, and teddy hasn't had a chance to

breathe texas air yet, so we decided to make a quick visit.

so fun, guys.

is it me, or is lubbock getting nicer? i'm so confused.

anyway, we checked out this pumpkin patch and had a sweet time.

the babies are getting bigger, and it breaks my heart. part of me feels like becoming a mama makes me less attentive (and consequentially less fun) of an aunt. it's okay, it's just kinda true. 

i wish i had more energy, or that i could duplicate myself- one of me just for playing, one just for picture taking, one of me just for changing diapers...etc

i held teddy in this awesome wrap the whole time we were there, and was able to get some pictures and video taken. everything is more complicated with a little guy. i wonder how many more family videos i've got left in me with a baby to pay attention to.

anyway, i managed to throw this little video together to remember our trip. i'm hoping i'll look back on it and remember how fun it was, watching the little ones run around, and smelling the sweet fall air.

it's teddy's first debut in a family video! many many more to come.
enjoy friends. xo

dear october.

What a lovely first day you've given us. I've been feeling a bit blue lately, and today was such a warm and welcome surprise. Thank you for the briskness in the air, for the soft slow glow to wake up to. Thank you for the drizzles, and for the opportunity to wear (and actually need) a scarf. Thank you for warm socks, hot cocoa, and for family being in town.

My cousin's kids falling in love with gid.

Thank you especially for the dancing you've given me on cool fall evenings. Improvisation and passive sequencing in lovely studios with lovely artists, accompanied by lovely music. I can't think of a better way to get ready for bed. I'd forgotten what dance rehearsals without thesis stress felt like. It's quite nice.

Thanks October.
You're a pal.

dear fall.

I found myself resting under the heavy covers of our bed. It was a saturday morning, and even though I'd been awake for several minutes, I couldn't move. I tried to consider getting out, (after all it was almost nine in the morning) but my pillows begged me to stay, and the sheets pulled me deep in, like some sort of sleepy riptide. Of course Gid had already gotten up, done his homework, made breakfast (I could smell the eggs), and probably run a few marathons. He reminds me of a kitten I had when I was a kid, who would fall asleep right next to me, and then in the morning would disappear. My husband is the stealthiest bed fugitive. I'm a light sleeper, but it doesn't matter. He always manages to sneak out well before my heavy eyes flutter open. Anyway, back to the bed. That warm, wonderful bed. I was determined to stay in it. All day. 

It's fall break this week, friends. Normally fall break is the best thing ever. A week to recuperate, to catch up on homework, get groceries, or in my case, hopefully to finish the choreography for my thesis piece. (sigh)

Not this year. Fate dealt me a nasty hand this autumn. No fall break. Instead: 10 hours a day in the studio working on somatic based studies for a scholarship that I (luckily) was selected for. 

And so, because this particular Saturday was my only day free until the semester began again, I stubbornly stayed in bed. I was absolutely determined to relax. To experience a fall break, even if it would only be 1 day.

Gid came in the room, cheeks rosy, smile wide, and cheerfully asked me what I wanted to do today. "Anything you want," he insisted. I stared at him, lips pressed together thinly, and informed him that I wasn't getting out of bed. Ever. 

My husband is sweet. Instead of telling me how lazy and ungrateful I am, he crawled into bed with me and joined me in watching mindless television for almost a whole hour. Let me explain something: my husband- he doesn't watch mindless TV. Not ever. He watches the news, and an occasional basketball game. Hulu.com? That's pathetic for the likes of Gideon Tolman. Don't you realize he could be doing something productive? Listening to conference. Washing the car. Balancing the checkbook. Saving a baby. He has better things to do than catch up on "Parenthood". But somehow, on this special saturday, I didn't even have to beg him to be lazy with me. I don't know anyone else who he'd do that for. So sweet. After watching my favorite show and coaxing me out of the warm covers, Gideon drew my attention to the warm vibrant color of the leaves outside. And immediately, I knew what I wanted to do on my one day of fall break.

We got our little tripod out, dusted off my camera, and grabbed the handheld remote we never use. And then we took family fall pictures. We didn't have to go more than a minute away from our apartment to find the perfect spot. And with the brisk fall air around us, the leaves happy to participate as the perfect backdrop, and the sound of the football game as our mood music, it made for a pretty lovely afternoon. A nice memory to store away, you know?

While I was metering for light, Gideon didn't realize he was posing for some really hunky shots. I'll have to use that as a trick next time to get him to pose seriously...

We walked. And caught up on life. Goodness, I sometimes forget how little we get to see each other with our school schedules. After our shoot, Gid took me out for ice cream and shopping. 

Hands off ladies, he's mine.

...all mine.

And now, thanks to my handsome sweet, kitten of a husband,
I didn't stay in bed all day long after all.

Even better, we now have something to remind us of our
last fall break in graduate school.
The end.

Here's hoping the rest of you are enjoying a real fall break,

Spookiness Part I

Ok. 

It's official.

The season of spooky

has finally made it to our

little home.

boo!

finding direction

Once upon a time there was a boy and a girl.

And they were lost in a maze. 

So they ran through the dusty trail,

choosing pathways carefully,

enjoying each other's company, 

and finding beauty everywhere.

Sometimes they got to higher ground for just a moment, where they could see their destination and path more clearly.

But, once they were back on the trail, it was again difficult to see which direction they were supposed to go. 

Sometimes they got turned around. 

And sometimes they got frustrated.

So they formed a plan. 

They used a map that had been 

given to them at the start of the adventure. 

And they listened to the music they knew 

would lead them to the end of their journey. 

At first it was faint- and they couldn't 

quite determine which direction it was coming from. 

But when they really focused everything on listening to the music, and studying the map, they found the right direction.

And got out of the maze. 

The end.

 I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.

- President Thomas S. Monson

More Autumn Love...

A few weeks ago, gideon and I threw a little party to celebrate autumn's coming.

Pom poms were made.

Twinkle lights were hung.

Along with autumn toned christmas decorations.

And baby's breath was carefully placed in bottles that looked like they once held wine.

I meant to take pictures of my friends who came, and all of the terrific food we ate,

so I could document the epic even with a post.

But because I was too busy having an enchanting evening- 

these pictures will have to do.

Have I mentioned that autumn is my favorite?

crafty crafty crafty...

I adore all of you crafty crafters. Something I've been wanting to get into is silhouette making.

Wouldn't these all make lovely additions to any home?

I think so too. 

Anyway, there are several tutorials online for them, but since I'm too big of a scardy cat, (don't you love fall?) I decided to practice digitally before I go out and buy crafts. This is what I came up with after tinkering with gid and my profiles from some wedding photos.

Fun, right?

I think so too. 

You guys, I'm so happy fall is starting to feel comfortable in boise. Like a shy guest, not wanting to be too much of a bother, he seems to be slowly making himself at home gradually; not wanting to startle anyone. I for one, however, am more than happy to put the flip flops away and pull out my mustard, espresso and spice toned scarfs. Not to mention my Corduroy coats, wool socks, and sweater boots.

Keep in mind, I love the springtime flowers, the winter snowflakes, 

and the cheerful summer rays kissing my skin. 

But, autumn. 

Autumn with it's crisp briskness, and it's monday football. 

Autumn with it's falling leaves, it's romantic evenings, and it's earthy smell.

Autumn with it's spooky nights, it's apple cider and it's pumpkin pie.

Autumn.

You will always be my secret favorite.

Take a deep breath, friends. 

It won't be long till autumn's vibrant colors go into a deep relaxing hibernation, 

and I'm singing Christmas songs non-stop. Till then, I'm quite content allowing the crisp autumn aura to inspire me to be crafty, to be unique; (or if I'm feeling especially ambitious) to just be me.

What a wonderful life.

Take it in friends. It is oh so wonderful.

Dear October,

October, I meant to write this yesterday (your first day on the job), but I was too busy working, spending time with Gid, cousins and kiddos, eating ice cream and pizza, and then shopping with my dear friend for the homemade spaghetti she's making today. 

I just wanted to give you a big welcome October! How I've missed you. 

September prepared all the trees for you; have you noticed the colors beginning to change? The big leaves give the most delightful crunch. In fact, the other day, on my way back from ballet, I was happily investing time walking from leaf to leaf enjoying the magical feeling of the crisp leafs crumbling beneath my feet. I didn't hear the bicycler coming behind me, and he almost ran me over. Oops. But I don't care. You know that magnificent crispness in the air that you bring every year? Could we maybe get some of it today? As you know, it's the first day of conference, and I'd really like the outdoor setting to be right.  I love walking out from conference and seeing leaves falling. Oh, October! I just love you and your fall month brothers! Oh, and if you're able to, could you maybe let the colors last a little bit longer this year? I love the reds and yellows especially.

Your gifts are so very treasured to me, October.




I hope you know we all missed you, and we've been excitedly waiting for you.
Enjoy your stay.


love,
alyssa