Sharing a little life lately update with what we have been doing and what will be up to from October to November in 2024 on Caitlin Houston Blog.
Life Lately / October – November 2024
There has been quite a rush of activity so I hate to admit this post is long past due. I began writing a Life Lately update at the end of October – but here were are nearing the close of the second week of November. I started a new side hustle and we hosted some VIP for a few days. Tonight our girls are performing in the Nutcracker Magical Christmas ballet alongside world-class principal artists and professional ballerinas! There’s so much to share about life lately, most of it exciting news, so I’ll waste no more time babbling.
Fall on Cape Cod
Fall on Cape Cod is a season every Cape lover must experience! We snuck away for a few days in October to stay in a gorgeous home in our favorite place. We made a pit stop at Treehouse Brewery on our drive there – which is always decorated for the season! During our trip on the Cape we shopped, ate delicious food, explored new parts of Chatham, and enjoyed the off-season. Don’t worry, there is a much more detailed recap coming next week about our fall getaway to Cape Cod.
Our Surprise Visitors
Our girls received the ultimate surprise the last week of October from their grandparents! My in-laws drove up from Georgia to spend one of the most fun holidays with us. I strategically took a hidden video of my daughters sullenly walking into the kitchen after school only to see their Coco and Pop literally pop out of the bathroom. The looks on their faces was priceless and many happy tears were shed by all. Our neighborhood does it big for Halloween, so we had quite the celebration. This was also my in-laws first time seeing our house and town! Annabelle, Ailey, and Arbor were beaming all week long, showing off where they live.
Halloween 2024 Recap
This was one of my favorite Halloweens as a Mom and resident of this neighborhood. We had so much fun! Annabelle chose to be Red Riding Hood from The Land of Stories. She picked her dress and cape based on the descriptions of a grown up Red. This novel series is at the top of her favorite book list and I am tempted to read it myself. #1 New York Times bestselling series The Land of Stories describes the adventures of twins, Alex and Conner, as they leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with the fairy-tale characters they grew up reading about.
Ailey chose to be a sparkly witch in the cutest black tutu. I have a feeling she chose this costume because I went on and on about loving the year she was a black cat in a tutu. Ailey does everything with such grace! Arbor stated back in September she would like to be a doctor for Halloween – however she only wore the costume for events in town. On Halloween night she insisted she wear the Baby Shark costume from last year. It is always funny when little kids choose their own costumes.
Brandon and I decided to dress up as Adam and Barbara Maitland from Beetlejuice after showing the girls’ the classic Halloween movie. Our costumes were easy to piece together – Barbara’s dress, Adam’s glasses, Adam’s shirt, and a Book of the Deceased.
Sharing a Hobby with the World
Ever since I took a photography class in high school I have loved to capture the world through a lens. At every party, performance, memorable sunset or gathering, I am the first to pull out a camera. For years, my family and friends request that I snap a photo of this or that: an intimate wedding ceremony, the peak of a pregnancy, a first birthday, etc). I love their love for my photographic talents – but have never felt like I was good enough to actually charge someone to take their photos.
Fast forward to the end of this September when my sister in law asks if I can take my nephew’s senior portraits. I say yes of course, not just because I took his older brother’s portraits four years ago, but because I love taking photos! She tells me her friends’ sons need senior portraits too, but don’t want to pay the astronomical fees associated with this type of shoot. Next thing I know I am setting up senior sessions, family holiday sessions, and creating a new Facebook page to share my portfolio.
I don’t know where my little side business will go after this season, but right now I loving the chaos of photo shoots and editing sessions. Truthfully, I am still surprised anyone wants me to take their picture (we are always our own worst critic).
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