October 2024 Highlights

Here's what we were up to in October 2024! This may have been the busiest, craziest, funnest month we've ever had in our lives which I didn't think was possible after some of the other months this year. All good things though!!

We decorated the house for Halloween on September 29th because it was a Sunday and Chris was home to help - usually I wait until October 1st. We had football on in the background the entire time. No new decorations this year.

These two photos are also from September from when we went to Buc-ee's but sharing them now because HALLOWEEN!

We bought this Hocus Pocus Lego last year but I didn't have time to build it until now.

I went back to the oral surgeon to go over my jaw MRI results and Hocus Pocus was playing on the lobby TV. My jaws are all good, I'm very thankful that my hormone pellet has fixed my headaches.

The Paradise crepe from Crepes and Dreams is my favorite dessert and I treated myself one afternoon.

Of course we went to Spirit Halloween!

I love that Fox & Jane love all things spooky.

I had to.

LOL Fox.

I got some Halloween socks.

I got some Broncos merch because I'm a Bo-liever!!

Being able to watch multiple games at once is so cool.

Me throughout the month, festive AF.

This was our third year in a row visiting The Patch in Kiowa. It's a little far but so worth it!

It was very sunny haha.

I can't not take tons of pictures here! So many photo opportunities everywhere!

The first "attraction" we went on was the slide.

Lots of pumpkins everywhere naturally!

Then the kids went on a "zipline".

We stopped by the petting zoo.

Played some tether ball.

Walked around the patch.

Saw colorful and pretty things.

Played tic-tac-toe.

Smiled lots.

Saw more "hairy coos" here than we ever did in Scotland and laughed at Peppa the pig :)

Climbed atop hay bales.

Shot apple cannons. Chris told Fox & Jane he'd give them money if they made it through a target - a tiny hole though the Tasmanian Devil's mouth. That must have really motivated them because they BOTH DID IT!!! I couldn't believe it! And both on their second to last apple. Uncanny. Way to go kids!

I shot one apple too but didn't hit anything.

Fox & Jane let me take their pics everywhere, I appreciate their willingness.

My favorite part is the cute little shopping booths.

In line to get a drink.

Watery lemonade lol.

We had a fun time!

That same evening we went and saw The Nightmare Before Christmas at the movie theater and Fox & Jane wore on-theme attire.

The next morning we flew to Orlando with lots of Halloween Loungefly backpacks in tow :)

Off we go! I spotted Epcot during our descent.

Got to watch the football game in London which was fun and made the time "fly" by.

First thing's first, put on our backpacks! Jane wore an Avatar one of course.

We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Our room overlooked the open safari.

We could see all kinds of animals from the balcony! So cool!

No time to waste, let's go explore!

The vibes were so cool. The thing I remember most is how good it smelled! Whatever they were pumping into the air was fabulous and I don't usually like smells.

Checking out the afternoon snacks.

WOOOOOOOW.

In my happy place! Well, one of them :)

Yummy chocolates.

I'm always amazed at the beautiful details.

We got closer to the animals that we could see from the room.

Our family at the Animal Kingdom Lodge on Sunday October 13th 2024.

Then we checked out the pool area.

Pink flamingos on the premises.

Had to check out the gift shop of course.

Catching a few minutes of the Broncos game. Sadly we lost.

Evening hors d'oeuvres - sooooo delicious!

Then we got dinner. Fox turned 14 during our trip so he got a birthday button and got freebies all over the place lucky duck!

Then we went swimming. When I say "we" I mean Chris & Fox. Although eventually I did go back to the room and got my swimsuit on to go into the hot tub.

Pretty flowers and foliage all over the place.

Hurricane Milton sadly blew down some trees.

Desserts and then breakfast the next morning.

Full day one, here we go!

Oh yeah, it was also this kid's birthday! Happy 14th birthday Fox! He's the best teenage boy in the whole wide world.

On point.

The only downside to staying at this hotel is there is no walking access to anywhere or monorail or anything, you have to take a free Disney bus with long waits or pay for an uber to get anywhere.

Lush.

We spent the bulk of the morning at EPCOT.

We always end up on quite random first rides lol.

Then we checked out the new Moana-themed Journey of Water which is cool, a ride would have been better ;)

Onto Soarin'!

We got the middle of the middle, the best spot IMHO.

This scene makes me miss living in Germany soooooo much.

The mosaics are always a treat to see.

Closer up.

We went into Club Cool for the first time. Chris tricked me into sipping the Beverly. Never again hahaha.

I always take pictures of flowers.

Onto Mexico!

Wish we had time to sit and eat lunch here again, but alas, we had places to go and rides to ride!

Every time we visit EPCOT I hope this sweet shop by the Frozen ride has the same treats we got in February 2020 but still a no go this time. Maybe next time!

China.

Germany.

Carmel shop in Germany, mmmmmm.

Japan. On our bucketlist!

We took the Skyliner over to the Caribbean Beach Resort for lunch - it's tradition!

Ever since we stayed at this resort in February 2020 we come back to eat at the Banana Cabana and get yummy drinks.

Still good!

Memories.

Back to EPCOT to ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Rise of the Resistance!

SUCH a FUN roller coaster!

We took the Skyliner back to Hollywood Studios.

It was a lovely day weather-wise.

Like we're back in LA!

Love that it's still the Tower of Terror here.

None of us rode it though, we couldn't handle the dropping sensation at this point.

Fox got a free cookies'n'cream milkshake and this brownie Sundae was my favorite dessert of the whole trip.

Over to Toy Story Land.

Then we passed through all the Star Wars stuff.

We love this place.

Last looks at Hollywood Studios.

Taking the Skyliner back to EPCOT. We had high ambitions of waiting in long lines for Frozen and Ratatouille.

Instead we walked through the Journey of Water again then Ubered back to the hotel.

Artsy :)

Goodnight EPCOT!

The second morning we rope-dropped at Animal Kingdom. For the past year we've been telling Jane that we'd drop her off at Pandora and leave her there all day - her dream come true :) Don't worry, we didn't actually do that.

The rush when that rope drops and we all scurry to the exact same ride: Flight of Passage.

Have you ever seen a bigger smile?!

This whole area is simply mind boggling.

Ma-Jake!

Onto the Na'vi River Journey - "Ma-ah-way!"

At the Tree of Life.

Gorgeous sunrise.

Jane loves donuts.

Chris took Fox & Jane on Everest. It was too early for me.

They're on there, just hard to see.

Love these blue doors and these kids.

We walked through some of the zoo areas.

This daddy bird on the left couldn't be bothered as he was building a nest. On the right is a huge nest!

The Kilimanjaro Safari ride is fun because it's so long and you get to see so many animals.

Heading back to Pandora.

Jane got some ears.

Too cute.

The boys as Sky People.

KEVIN!

We went back to the hotel for naps after a busy morning. Then after lunch we took the Disney bus to the Magic Kingdom.

Yippee!! My favorite park.

Yes please!

Love all the Halloween decor.

Happy Halloween indeed!

We went on the People Mover for the first time as a family which was amazing because it's such a long, easygoing ride.

Walking to dinner reservations.

#GOALS

We ate at the Lady & the Tramp-themed Tony's Town Square Restaurant - Italian of course!

Mmmmmm.

Everything was super delish.

Walking back into the heart of the park to ride more rides!

Fox's best friend Matt and his family also journeyed from Colorado to Disney World for Fall Break and amazingly we ran into them!

We went on Big Thunder Mountain together, always a thrill.

Yippeeeeeee!

We LOVE the Haunted Mansion ride.

LOL.

We waited in line to ride Tiana's Bayou Adventure which is the new theme of Splash Mountain.

I love the Princess and the Frog movie - I watched it about eleventy million times when Fox was an infant.

Here we goooo!

The drop is the best part.

We made it!

Eerily awesome at night!

We went trick-or-treating.

We caught a bit of the Halloween concert.

Then we went on TRON for the very first time!

We remember watching empty test rides going when we were last here in October 2022 and couldn't wait until 2024 to ride it! It was AWESOME!!!! Especially in the dark.

The next morning we headed back to the Magic Kingdom.

It was about 71 degrees, the perfect temperature.

Hi Tarl!

Riding Pirates of the Caribbean.

Such a classic.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure

Over 17 years ago we went to Disney World on our honeymoon. We still love going to Disney World and we still love each other, so we smooched for the camera :)

Big Thunder Mountain.

When Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was replaced with Winnie the Pooh (I think), they put Mr. Toad in the cemetery at the Haunted Mansion.

Over to Fantasy Land.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, one of my favorites.

Winnie the Pooh.

Beignets!! YUM!

And also, messy lol.

Finally got to ride Ratatouille and Guardians of the Galaxy again. I don't know why this is my last photo, must have just been soaking up the moments!

We flew home for just two days before Chris and I headed off to Vegas! Seriously, what were we thinking lol. No chill time! But, I'm glad we went :)

My sister picked us up and we went to her house for a couple hours.

She may love Halloween even more than me! Actually, I take that back ;) But it's definitely in our genes!

Then we went shopping at The Crystals!

We stayed at The Bellagio and woke up to a beautiful morning.

We got breakfast at this cute cafe.

Loving this candy box.

These purses though!

The french fries purse was calling my name.

The Conservatory & Botanical Gardens was decked out for fall.

I'm always amazed at these installations.

Before heading out to the main event we watched some football. I can't believe how into it I am lololol.

Our reason for visiting: the When We Were Young festival!

We heard that 60,000 people flew to Vegas for this. I don't doubt it, it was crowded. But after Disney World just a couple days before, we were used to it!

Guess we're not young anymore lolol.

Angel of Rock!

We came mostly to see Cartel.

Yay!

So funny.

I caught a pick! They totally recognized us after we ran into them at the Mexican restaurant in Tulsa a couple years ago ;)

We flew back the next morning. Always enjoy seeing the Chihuly glass ceiling.

About a week and a half later we went to yet another concert, this time in downtown Denver to see Rain City Drive!

We got to meet the band up close and personal which was soooooo cool.

There was a Q&A - this was their last concert after being on tour for over a month and I asked how they were feeling and they said "tired" haha. I get it.

I spy us in their instagram story!

We love Rain City Drive!

A few bands played first including Siamese whom we've never heard of before. They came all the way from Copenhagen! We loved everything they played and are now at the top of my current list of faves.

These guys were too screamo lol.

At last, Rain City Drive!

So fun to sing along and jam out.

We've had a beautiful fall! All these colors are just from our backyard.

On Halloween we got our nails done. I haven't had acrylic nails in almost 25 years and they're really hard to type and scrap with but I do love how they make my man hands look more feminine lolol.

HALLOWEEN! Fox was an inflatable shark and we bought Jane a dark angel outfit but when I told her to go put it on she came downstairs in a flamingo onesie. Typical Jane ;)

The candy bowl.

First trick-or-treaters which means it's go-time!

Fox went with his friends and I took Jane out by herself but after a few houses she just wanted to go home. I was a bit sad that my kids have grown up.

Instead I put on a witch hat and skirt and we passed out candy!

Fox came home and changed into a Pokemon trainer.

This is hilarious. Can't forget about Thanksgiving either!!

Our main bathroom remodel finally began!! We've been planning since February. Here is some inspiration for the bathroom and also the closet that we redid in May.

I chose this knotty hickory for the vanity. I looooove all the knots and variations and imperfections!

Our bedroom has turned into a makeshift tile cutting center lol.

I peeked in after the first day of setting the checkerboard floors and my heart burst - it was soooooo much prettier than I could have ever even imagined!!!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately, the marble started crumbling and cracking after getting washed down. What the actual heck??? We're trying to get a refund for this faulty marble, wish us luck...

So it got torn out and we've ordered black & white porcelain tiles instead that are 9" instead of 12" and I think they're both matte instead of the white being honed and the black polished. I'm so very sad.

Bye bye beautiful floors, you were beautiful while you lasted!

Meanwhile the shower tile is a beautiful hex with green and the toilet closet is another tile and the shower walls will be a white arabesque tile. I'm sure I'm breaking all kinds of cardinal design rules but I loooove lots of colors and patterns ;)

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Onto the my beloved cats, Sandy the ragdoll & Amy the calico! I take more photos of them than anything else, let's be honest.

While I was building the Hocus Pocus Lego they took turns exploring the box, as cats do.

Hanging out with me everywhere, all the time, it's the absolute best.

Amy is so photogenic :)

She loooooves snuggling but haaaaates being held, isn't that funny?

Sandy. Oh Sandy. She's something else!

She thought she caught the laser in the middle photo lol.

The top left photo slays me.

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Onto scrappy things! I shared 2 double-page spreads and a single 12x12 layout in October 2024 - tap the links to see each project more in depth:

Father's Day Double-Page Spread // Wickedly Cute (Origami Stars Wreath) Layout

Best Day Ever Layout for SCT (not shared yet) // Daughter Double-Page Spread

I have so many Halloween pages made with Tricks & Treats to share but I feel like now that Halloween has passed, I should wait and share them next October?? For example, all the projects I made for Tricks & Treats Weekend including my 4x4 October 2024 mini album! Here is a sneak:

Sneak of the pages as I was figuring out where to place the ribbons. All the colors!

Alllllll my October albums! I can't tell you how happy this view makes me!

I taught at the virtual Sweet & Spooky event for Scrapbook & Cards Today!

One of the pages we made included a large hand stitched title which I prepped while watching football.

You may have noticed I upgraded my live streaming equipment! I can finally have two cameras streaming at once, woohoo!

And speaking of Scrapbook & Cards Today, my layout is on the cover of the Fall/Winter 2024 issue which you can download and browse for free HERE!

I taught my October Make With Me Monday free virtual class featuring origami paper stars (also with my new set-up!) and you can watch the replay HERE.

I spent most of my scrappy time in October prepping for Tricks & Treats Weekend happening November 9th & 10th and my custom charm order from Emily Inspired Designs arrived - aren't they BOOtiful?!

In my spare time (HA!!!) I've been trying to work on my next kit with virtual classes - this one will be fall-themed which I'm really hoping to release in November but it keeps getting put on the backburner to work on events and assignments. I need more hours in the day!