Fall is Here!

From November

It's FALL in Virginia! This season is stunning. The mountains become rainbows of colors as the trees shift to crimsons, gold, orange, etc. I always find fall a little bittersweet. It means Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. It means the possibility of snow days with my husband. But it also means winter and everything that entails. Brr. I just shivered thinking of it even though today was 75 and sunny. We've been taking lots of long walks now that the mosquitoes have met their fate (YES- score one point for fall!)

From November

Jackson loves running through the leaves and jumping into big piles of them and throwing them at people.

From November

Alan has started doing "night walks" with Jackson. Since it gets dark now at 5:30 (BOO. -1 point from Fall) the after dinner walks involve flashlights. They go out on their adventures and Jackson thinks this is the coolest idea ever. We live in a relatively safe neighborhood. Good schools, the majority of the houses are kept up well, typical middle class neighborhood. I have noticed that on both of my running/walking routes there is at least one building with some not so pleasant "BLOOD" graffiti. Yep, as in the gang. I always carry pepper spray no matter where I am (except for the airport- they took mine away last time I brought it there). My neighbor down the street had her car stolen from her parking space which is pretty much in her back yard a couple nights ago. She had left her keys in her diaper bag and someone thought they hit the jackpot. Fortunately her husband was able to recover it soon after. So needless to say, I always tell Alan to be careful on his night walks. I also ask him to bring my pepper spray since bringing my .22 pistol isn't the best idea with a toddler in tow.
Tonight he came home and I asked him if he saw any gangs.
He said no, but he did see a guy with a giant gun get out of his truck and walk towards them.
I laughed.
He said no, seriously.
I said what the heck?
He said the dude was all in camo (it's the first day of hunting here) and he turned the corner and went into his house before he got really close to Alan and Jackson.
Lovely.