This is what our little play group looked like 2 years ago.
And this is what it looks like today!
From the left: Asher and Jude, Jax and Tye, Josh and Dash, Travis (big bro to Cana and his mama is pregnant!) and Josiah and Naomi.
We've added friends and siblings and there are more babies on the way! Bethany will need to purchase a longer couch for our picture next year.
We are lovers of reformed theology therefore our hats go off to Dr. Martin Luther as we commemorate the nailing of the 95 Theses to the church door at Wittenburg on October 31, 1517.
But with all due respect to the Protestant Reformation, we trick-or-treated this year. We went to Grammy's house and had a blast with cousins Reagan (aka Hannah Montana) and Reed (aka big scary green dragon.)
Asher loved dressing up as a fireman and Jude was his trusty sidekick, a Dalmatian (not a COW thank you very much.) 
Reagan and Reed were very cooperative during picture-taking which is more than I can say of my own two little darlings. 
But thanks to Aunt Mindy for capturing this day for us because I neglected to take one picture with my own camera. Hers are always better anyway.
Heather over at Sit a Spell recently posted (like yesterday I think) about an incredible company called Sseko Designs. Sseko was created by Liz, a woman who--get this--saw a need and did something about it. Novel idea, I know. What about that concept do I not get? Anyway--back to Sseko.
The need she saw was this: Ugandan women needing a way to earn money to continue their education. You can read more about it here.
Sseko is a "not just for profit" organization (don't you love that!) Liz broke out of that false dichotomy that says you can either make money or do good. Why not both? Why choose between helping those in need, improving a local economy, and making a quality product when you can do it all?
I ordered a black pair because I'm so adventurous, but there are so many cute patterns to choose from. So go check out Sseko Designs and we can all be cute and socially responsible together!
Dinner last night...
"This is actually pretty good!"
This morning when a commercial for The Nutcracker came on...
"Look, Mama! The Cheese Cracker!"
This was taken a few weeks ago in the early days of potty training. There was very little I said "no" to during that phase.
Jude just wanted to be prepared for the worst.
It was time. The curls were precious but they were getting a little out of hand. And Asher was starting to think he had a sister because people would comment on our cute little girl or tell him how pretty his "sister" was. Judah is pretty--gets it from his daddy--but that's not really the look we were going for.
So I took him to Snippets, a kids haircutting chain...against my better judgement, I might add. You aren't working at Snippets because you were at the top of your class in cosmetology school. But I wanted a kid-friendly and budget-friendly place. And since I used a coupon, I got both at Snippets. She did an "ok" job but since his hair has so much texture and curl, any uneveness kind of blends in. She was very sweet and patient though...almost as important as talent. Almost.
Everyone who sees him now comments on how grown up he seems. He changed from a baby into a little boy while sitting in that big pink chair. A little boy that doesn't leave the house without his lovey, mind you, but a little boy nonetheless. 
Remember this?
Piece of cake!
And this?
A breeze!
But this?
Lord, give me strength.
The annual Rives Family Pumpkin Pictures. God bless those Episcopals and their pumpkins--they let us come sit on and carry around and drop their pumpkins every year and are just as sweet about it as they can be.
As you will see, I struggled to get one (just one for crying out loud!) of The Brothers Rives both looking the same way and flashing those million dollar smiles. But what we did get was cute because it is just SO them--squirmy, messy, and a tad uncooperative. Those with the distinct honor of having one and two year old boys know of what I speak.
Here are a few... (oh, Robin--had you only visited just one week later...)
and finally, the four of us
Happy Fall, Y'all!
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