Trick or Treat!

As you know by now, we love Halloween. How can you not love a holiday where dressing up, eating massive amounts of candy, and decorating to scare yourself and your friends is required?

Every year, we have a costume party, and last year we had to cancel at the last minute because Arlo came down with a rash and fever. So this year, we were ready to go all out. We had about 30 adults and kids in costume in our house. 

This year, I was hoping to make a Sasquatch costume for Arlo. We talked about it for weeks, and Arlo talked about Sasquatch nonstop. He seemed so excited. I got a few brown wigs and started hand sewing them to a brown long sleeve t-shirt and pants. Arlo liked wearing the wig but when it came to the furry shirt, he got a little freaked out. When I asked him what he wanted to be for Halloween, he said, "Um, a ghost." At least it was an easy costume to make, but my Martha Stewart, Halloween loving self was a little disappointed. 

On the night of Halloween, Arlo and his friend (and next door neighbor), Barrett, went trick-or-treating together. We had more trick-or-treaters than ever before. We had a great time and it was simply our best Halloween ever!

Arlo and Barrett before hitting the streets!

A haunting...

Scenes from our Halloween party:

Barrett enjoying the scene. 

August and his dad, Dan, talking about their favorite Halloween stories. 

Arlo watching baby Mary sleep. 

Not sure how she did it with so much commotion around her!

Batman and Robin!

Ryan went as Beaker from the muppets

As the party went on, Beaker got a little, um, worn out. 

Thankfully, Misty May Treanor from the US Beach Volleyball team was there to help whip Beaker into shape. 

Arlo and his BFF, Vivian.

Vivian was a spider -- I wish I got a nice photo of her cool costume!

Barrett enjoying her accessories. 

Eric and baby Mary.

Lining up the kids for a photo is considerably harder than it used to be. 

I'm not sure what Arlo is doing in this series of photos. Such a goofball!

Maybe Arlo feels like his artistic vision is compromised by the other kids?

Baby Fiona out of her cow costume. 

Fiona and Erin 

Byron, Amy, and Wyatt: Where the wild things are!

Spooky but yummy skeleton cupcakes!

You know it's a good party when you find a Lego bin on your head!

Arlo and Pat laughing it up!

"I don't know!"

Milo and Arlo are good buddies.

Messing around!

Serious talk about the upcoming election. Ok, maybe not.

Jennifer and new baby Jack.

Jack's big sister, Lucy.

Good times!

End of Summer

Seattle had an amazing summer full of sunshine and warm weather. September was amazing, and near the end of the month, we enjoyed our last dinner on the deck. All summer, we enjoyed barbecue pizzas, vegetables from the garden (supplemented with many store bought veggies, we must admit), and fresh fish. 

Our last meal of summer was lemon and dill salmon, grilled of course, with a salad of tomatoes and carrots from our garden, and Israeli couscous with pistachios and garden herbs. 

I have to say that couscous is one of my favorite things ever. EVER. Why? It's easy and fast to cook. It's easy to dress up. Don't believe me? See below. 

We are so lucky to live in a place with a variety of fresh fish. 

The truth, however, is that many species are overfished and on the brink. For a quick guide that will help you be a savvy consumer, check out Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch (they also have a handy iPhone app). 

Black Cherry tomatoes and a blend of orange and white carrots with parsley and green onions. Drizzle with oil, a splash of balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper and voila!

Israeli couscous with golden raisins, toasted pistachios, and parsley (recipe below).

Add some sun and a good beer, and you have an incredible meal!

Arlo loves it!

Israeli Couscous with Raisins and Pistachios

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 cup Israeli couscous

1 1/2 cup of broth (chicken or light vegetable broth preferred)

1/2 cup of toasted pistachios

1/4 cup of golden raisins

Mix of fresh herbs to taste (parsley, mint, etc.)

Salt and pepper to taste

If you have raw pistachios, you can easily toast them by putting them in a dry sauté pan and either warming them over medium heat or putting them in a 350 degree oven. The key is to remove the nuts from the heat when you smell them. I also like to turn them a few times, and you should notice some browning on at least one side. 

Heat the olive oil in a thick bottomed soup pan. Add the couscous and toast for a few minutes. Add broth and lower heat. Cook until the couscous is soft, typically about 10 minutes. add pistachios, raisins, herbs, and finish with some fresh ground pepper. Enjoy!

Ready, Set, Break!

After 5 years, I recently left my job at a national river conservation group, American Rivers, to take on a new role as Legislative Director at a state-based nonprofit, Washington Environmental Council. Although I'm happy and excited for a new challenge, I wanted to take some time to recharge before taking on a demanding new job. After leaving my old job, I took a couple of days to catch up on a few things and then we left on a jet plane for a family trip to Syracuse, New York. (Note to reader: it is very important to include New York when talking about Syracuse, New York. If you don't, you risk confusing someone who may think you mean Syracuse, Indiana.) 

The trip was wonderful. It has been too long since we traveled to Syracuse, New York, to visit Ryan's family. Here is a photo collection of the trip:

Sleeping in coach is easy. I don't know why people complain about leg room. 

We found a playground in the Minneapolis airport. Score! 

Arlo pretended he was a London bus driver and loved it!

Arlo, Ya-Ya and Grandpa's coffee table, cars, and trains were the major focus for everyone. 

Arlo and Uncle Sean discussing the design of cars and trucks and the potential for improving mileage rates with new technologies that are emerging on the market. 

The Patrick Crew. 

The stairs are getting tighter and tighter as we add more members to the family. 

Special congratulations to Kara and Jack (just behind me on the stairs) on their upcoming nuptials! 

Aunt Chris Ann, Uncle Chris, and the Nonericks. (Arlo, close your mouth!)

Get your motor running...

Head out on the highway!

Arlo's dream of watching a tractor work came true at Beak and Skiff apple farm.

A good farmer always tests his product for freshness. 

Family Photo at the Farm

We learned that Arlo is a pony whisperer. 

Maybe we need to move to the country and adopt a horse or two. Hmmm...

First Horse Ride (Thank you, Mr. Rogers!)

Although not a real horse, Arlo also rode an antique carousel horse like a boss. 

Getting excited for Halloween by trying on costumes. 

Getting a trim from his personal stylist, Aunt Carolyn. 

Hugging a tree while walking at Green Lakes State Park. 

Like mother, like son. 

Arlo and Grandpa checking out the ducks and swans at the pond. 

Three generations of Patrick men. 

Loving Syracuse, NY. 

Providing a good example of mature love and mutual respect.

VROOM!

Ya-Ya, Grandpa, and Arlo going for a drive with Arlo at the wheel. Buckle up!

Arlo loves to read. Such a sweet boy!

Hygiene is very important to Arlo. 

Lovin' the penguins at the zoo!

Our little penguin. 

Don't worry, that's not a real tiger. It just looks like one. 

Those, however, are real tigers. Arlo is also a tiger whisperer. 

Watching the elephants at the zoo.

Grandpa spotting Arlo while he climbs at one of the many parks we explored.

Thinking Face

We had a great time seeing everyone, and it was amazing to see Arlo connecting with his family in a new way. Now that he's a toddler, he is much more interactive, talkative, and interested in each individual person. We love Seattle, but the biggest drawback to living here is that we are so far away from so many family members. As we get older, we appreciate and value all of the family events and holidays that give us time with our loved ones.

I was grateful to have a break between the craziness of leaving one job and starting another. Thank you, Ya-Ya and Grandpa Patrick, for hosting us, and thanks to everyone who took time out of their busy lives to hang out with us. We love you!