Halloween

Our church hosted a Fall Festival called Crosswalk last evening where the community was invited to come for games, food, a lighted trail of live scenes from Jesus' life, and trunk-or-treat. It was SO cold!!! The wind was blowing but I don't think the kids knew the difference- they all had a ball. EllaKate dressed up like Cinderella and Max was a pea pod. They were adorable!!! I will post more pages tomorrow of the festivities.

EllaKate waited all day to get dressed and go trick-or-treating. She knew when her dad got home, it would be time. We ate Mexican and then met up with Jason, Amy, and Max in town for a Halloween festival. EllaKate loved playing the games and getting candy.

Amelia & Rosemary went to the ballgame and we took EllaKate trick-or-treating @ Susan & Tony's and my mom and dad's house. By that time, it was late and we needed to get her home to bed. It was a really fun night and she was asleep as soon as she put her head on the pillow.

Fun Friday

I was a little sad to look out my kitchen window and see the pool man winterizing and closing the pool. It looks bare out there now... EllaKate was so concerned until I told her we would open it again around her birthday in April... until then, $75.00 saved a week!!!

We have been without heat this whole week and it has been COLD each morning. We have an old system and the workers have been searching for a part from a company that still carries them. They found one and will install on MONDAY or TUESDAY... at first I thought that was terrible, but then looked for a silver lining- here it is...

... we built a fire last night and again this morning- what could be better than huddling close to the fire all day with EllaKate while it rains all day. What's better than that? When everyone gets home to huddle around the fire... maybe Family Game Night is in order- that hasn't happened in a while! I think I may spend some time making more of these... THANKS Lynn!!!

EK and GA

EllaKate and I had an errand to run in Athens today and were able to have lunch with our sweet friends- Suzanne and Grace Anne. We both lived in Hamilton Mill and went to the same church when we lived in Dacula. They live in Athens now and we miss seeing them. It was so great to see the girls together- they are the best of friends! A Great Day!!!

Pop's Birthday

My dad turned 72 Saturday and we all celebrated at our house with a cookout, family, and cake. We were so happy to have Marcia and Samuel here from Summerville, and Jessica was home from college for the weekend!!!

A Girl and Her Big Pumpkin

Today we were in Walmart getting a few things when what should EllaKate see but the biggest light up pumpkin I had ever seen... what do you think she said?

EK: That is a really cool pumpkin.

Me: I like it too.

EK: Can we take one home?

Me: Umm... it sure is big.

EK: I like big.

Me: OK- but you have to let me take pictures...

EK: OK momma!

*Now, don't you think it was worth every penny??? And it looks pretty cute from the road!!!

Wordless Wed~ Practice Shoot

Rosie's Homecoming

Rosie's homecoming game was last night and she was escorted by an eighth grader for Bullpup court. We went a few weeks back to Atlanta to get her dress and had it altered- way too big and the straps had to be widened. She had her hair and nails done then had to be at the field @ 4:30. We all thought how much older she looked all dressed up. Savannah was home again this weekend for her short Fall break and to be here for Rosie. After the game, she and all her friends went to the dance- I was a chaperone- crazy fun- for the kids :). It was a fun night and we thought she was so beautiful in her pink party dress. Rosie- you took our breath away - you have grown up so fast and we are so proud of you!!!

My Brave Girl

Today I took EllaKate for her 3 year checkup and blood work. We received an email last week from our agency advising all families that adopted a baby under 18 months in '06 or '07 to check with their pediatrician for testing concerning the formula issue. I forwarded it to my dr. and she wanted us to come in for a complete workup although we did it when we came home. She did tell me she thinks if EK had any issues related to the formula, it would have shown up developmentally and she is right on... She weighed 30 lbs and 38 inches tall- under 25th percentile for weight and in the 50-75th in height.

EllaKate was just the bravest little girl today. She sat perfectly still while our nurse took 3 vials of blood and didn't so much as whimper. We both got flu shots with just a few tears and then were off to the toy store. I have always taken the girls straight to the toy store when they got shots so today was no different. EllaKate picked out a singing Barbie (which I have told her no to a hundred times :) -she was happy as a lark. I am thankful to have such a conceientious doctor- we have gone to her for 19 years and she is just like one of my best friends- always has time to spend with you and listens to every word you say. That's why I drive 2 hours one way to see her... she's the best!!!

Homecoming Dance

Our day was so full. Scott and I woke to get a run and walk in because we knew we would need to have plenty of energy for the day. Amelia woke up about 11 and we headed to the hair salon to get her hair done @ noon. Afterwards, I brought EK home for a nap while the girls went to the nail salon. (Girls day out!)

While I was out with Amelia, Scott had been to the nursery to pick up a few plants for our yard. All Amelia's friends were coming over for pictures in our yard so we needed to get a few things planted. We put out a crepe myrtle, azaleas, roses, and 4 beds of pansies (which Scott had to dig and create- now he is shoulder is throbbing) plus all my pots- lots of work but so beautiful!!!

All the kids and families arrived around 6 and we began the grand photo shoot. There were 6 girls and 7 boys. I think we shot for about an hour and fifteen minutes then sent them off to eat at Sibling's- then to the dance. Here are a few of the images I shot- have not been tweeked with PS yet.

Savannah drove home for the day to help get Amelia ready and just be here for this great time! It was so great to have her home but so hard to watch her leave- when will I get over it??? Although she comes home Thursday for a long weekend- fall break!!!

Amelia and Sarah took their flip flops to wear at the dance- who can dance in heels?

And last but definitely not the least... EllaKate was so excited! She loves to dress up so this was so fun for her- she loved seeing everyone all dressed up and excited. Scott and I are always so thankful when all is said and done- Savannah went back to Atlanta, Amelia went to the dance, and Rosemary was at her ballgame- we would be alone if not for EllaKate!!! We are so thankful God gave us another blessing to watch grow up- now where is that little Shaylee???

All the kids came back to the house for food, movies, and a bonfire. The bonfire was the best part of the whole night- they sat out there forever. Some of them even took a dip in our freezing pool then ran back to the fire. Some boys went home around midnight and the other boys went to bed around 2. I am pretty sure the girls were up until 5 dancing and laughing!!! All the girls spent the night upstairs and two of the boys slept over in the guest house. We all got up Sunday and went to church- and you know what??? They all came back home with us, we ordered pizza, and they swam all afternoon. Can you think of a more fun weekend for a bunch of 16 year olds? Needless to say, Scott and I were dead tired last night and so thankful for a great weekend!!!

Twin Day

Can you pick out the twins? It has been homecoming week at high school with a different dress up idea each day. Today was twin day so Sarah stayed over last night and they made matching t-shirts and then dressed alike this morning. Don't have any idea what time they went to bed.. sorry Cyrise. Thankfully it is Friday and no school tomorrow.

Tonight is the homecoming game and dance tomorrow night! Amelia gets her hair done at noon, then pictures before dinner, dinner @ Siblings, and the dance. I think all the kids are coming back to our house for the night- maybe swimming and a bonfire... stuff to eat and just hanging out!!! Looks to be an awesome weekend- oh and Savannah is coming home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy Day!!!

Walking

I LOVE walking on cool crisp mornings in fall... walking is even better now that EllaKate and I have Amy and Max to go with us! Amy drives over each morning so we can walk on my street where there is no traffic and a few hills. I am so thankful she lives here now and we have become closer friends (even though we are sister-in-laws)!!!

EllaKate was having a few behavior issues when we began walking with Amy about 3 weeks ago. I think she may have been a little jeolous because for so long it has been only us... now she has to share our time. Nothing I did helped- food, milk, toys, books, Leapster... but yesterday, it hit me what would probably work. I don't let her watch much tv at all so when I brought out the portable DVD player with Max and Ruby, you would have thought Santa had just stopped by! I am not kidding, she sat and watched her movie the whole time and we didn't hear a peep out of her. Not sure if this was a good idea but now we walk in peace and we ALL enjoy our walk!!!