Three weeks already?

Sorry it has taken us so long to write everyone. We took a week off because we had a late night with Halloween and then we were in Austin last week with family. Our adventures have been fun, as have the attempts to return to a normal daily pattern of events.

We tried to take the girls to a trunk or treat Saturday before Halloween, but someone at church seriously didn't think through their activity plans and did the group activity from 6 until 8:30. Our girls -- and most every other family with kids the same age -- left at 8 PM after a few meltdowns. But on the whole, it was lots of fun for both. Aderyn chased balloons and people liked her monkey costume. Paela has been going through an obsession with the color red lately, so we helped her get dressed up as Santa Claus. That made her happy. As did the donuts.

But sadly, no candy this year. Whatever. They didn't really need it anyway.

We took off for Austin last week and spent the weekend with a family reunion of sorts. Rebecca's grandfather was baptized last year and went through the temple this year. We were both planning on making that trip, but due to complications with Aderyn, Rebecca went to the ceremony and I stayed outside and played with the baby.

The girls enjoyed playing with cousins and we hardly spent much time with Paela. Aderyn stayed close, but was so entertained by the environment that we didn't hear much from her either. Things have been different since we got back, because they only have each other and they're tired of all their toys.

But Aderyn was visibly ecstatic to be home. She ran from place to place giving kisses and jumping on her favorite spots. She giggled at her crib and laid on her bean bag chair. She was pleased as punch to be back with her stuff. And the cat got lots of love.

It's time to buckle down and do lots of applications. Rebecca has already helped me accumulate a list of 70+ places to apply for. I'm currently working with an artist collective connected to the Boston Cyberarts Festival, so I should be spending more time working and doing grants and curatorial stuff. It should be great.