let there be fall...

although it's sad to say goodbye to summer...the warm temps, sundresses, swimming in the lake (ok, dipping toes in the lake on account of the water doesn't ever get remotely warm out here!), flip flops...but the fall has graced seattle with its presence. the leaves are changing and i decided that 38 degrees is too chilly to be running in shorts. we've been lucky enough to get some absolutely beautiful sunny fall days. i'm engraving them in my mind so when we're in the 28th straight day of rain, i'll have something to smile about.

in between watching the world series (go rays!), football games, soccer games and playing outside, we managed to carve up some pumpkins for the upcoming holiday. it was fun, but something to remember for next year...put multiple layers of newspaper on your kitchen table. otherwise 3 pumpkins worth of pulp splats down right in the middle of it!

all-in-all, another joyful weekend. i'm looking forward to the holidays with family and friends! miss you all terribly..

birthday party photoshoot

so luke, payton and i made it over to wenatchee for payton's cousin's 8th birthday party (hannah montana of course)...i attempted a "photoshoot"..(not sure if i'm allowed to use that term yet..maybe instead, "amatuer photoshoot")..enjoy some of my favorites!

world series bound..

yay tampa bay (devil) rays!! what an exciting series and final game! we flipped between the bucs beating the seahawks (although i was torn, i received dirty looks while doning my bucs shirt today) and game 7 of the american league champion series. a little grilling action with friends and family on this beautiful fall day made for a nice end to the weekend..

luke and i ventured down to pike place market yesterday on another beautiful fall day. the leaves are changing to gorgeous reds, oranges and yellows. and better yet, the sun has been out. not for long, i know, but the days it ventures out from under the clouds to grace us with its presence are worth it. i've decided to try and purchase as many handmade, homemade, original (and earth friendly!) christmas presents this year as possible.

the market is a great place and kind of fun to walk around every now and then. luke patiently waited for me to check out every piece of jewelry, all the yummy smelling soaps and lotions and take pictures of all the beautiful flower arrangements. he's so wonderful. :)

a yummy mexican meal (we're trying out all the local mexican restaurants) and payton's soccer game made for a fun, yet relaxing little weekend. i snapped a few shots from the market and p's game today..enjoy!

my bean

my baby brother turned 22 yesterday. 22! that makes me older than, well, 22. when did we go from kids playing in the backyard to adults in the real world?! well, he's almost there. graduating next may with degrees in criminology and aerospace studies. dang, i don't even know what all that entails..must be something smart. he's also commissioning into the airforce next may and heading to lackland air force base in san antonio, tx to train in security forces. following that he'll be assigned to the 820th security group at moody afb in valdosta, ga (where he'll go through jump school and then do all kinds of security forces fun stuff). whew, that was a mouth full (and hopefully all correct!).

so wow....where does the time go? i miss my bean. bean pole..only because he's 6'4 and skinny as a bean pole. he's the firecracker of the 3 of us kiggins kids. red hair and freckles, nickname 'fedex' because he never really looked like me or jason growing up. he used to play "bulls" in the yard with dad and would try to butt heads fairly hard. he went through an obsession with cowboy boots and would sneak across the street and come out wearing the neighbor kid's boots. he wanted so desperately to be involved in everything his older brother and sister were in and would [annoyingly] tag along. i regret being mean to him at times, telling him to leave us alone. i do remember rushing to his side and holding him tight when he broke his arm at 6 years old.

ah ryan. the animal lover. he had this hamster growing up who he had named angel, but jason and i changed to "stinky" because the cage always stunk. i can still picture him standing in his room and crying his eyes out when angel (stinky) passed on. i'm pretty sure our childhood dog loved ryan the best. i think he's the dog whisperer.

ryan, the athlete..played tons of sports growing up and was even caught dressing up in my ballet leotards and tights. ok, actually i made him dress up like that, but thankfully mom snapped a picture for blackmailing down the rode. he's an awesome soccer player and i'm sad i missed so many of those games while i was away at college. we've recruited him out to play on our "old people" co-rec teams when he's out visiting seattle though. in fact, didn't you receive yellow cards in those games, ryan?! he he

ryan, the comedian...he makes me laugh harder than anyone else. i love family holiday get-to-gethers because i get such a good ab workout, laughing. he does the best creepy old man from 'family guy' impression (even though it grosses me out every time). i think i have a gazillion pictures of him and each one of them he's making a different face that looks like it belongs in a cartoon strip. i know i can count on him to cheer me up on a bad day.

ryan, the [future] best uncle ever...kids love him and are drawn to his silliness and immaturity (i mean that in only the nicest way, over course). he knows how to come down to their levels and connect with them. they flock to him and talk him into wrestling and playing with them.

ryan, the baby brother...not so baby anymore. he's become such a thoughtful and caring brother and i am so thankful everyday how close we've become. i look forward to the visits and long for them in between. he's become more of a big brother to me, harassing luke and making sure no one messes with me. he and jason are my best friends. pretty much unheard of..

ryan, the soon-to-be military officer. like jason, you never cease to amaze me. i am so proud of you. i'm proud of all your achievements in school and sports. i'm proud of your leadership in rotc and how far you've come from being a little freckle-faced pistol of a kid. i'm proud that you'll be serving our country. i'm proud that you've found a woman who's helped you grow and keeps you grounded. i'm proud of all your accomplishments and the accomplishments you'll attain in the future. you're going places, bean, and i'm excited to be a part of it. i'm proud of the kid brother you were and the "big" brother you are now. thanks for being such an important and loving part of my life.

i love you..

happy 22...