Girls, Outdoors, and Cameras In Hand

Carving With Dad...er...Mom

Last Thursday was Carve A Pumpkin With Dad day in Josiah's class. Jay was out of town, so I took on the pumpkin carving duty.

I asked Josiah what he wanted his pumpkin to look like. Fortunately, he said "just triangles".

I don't know why I even asked. It's not as if I could have done any kind of detail work.

Josiah wanted his pumpkin painted. It may not have been the best pumpkin carving decision.

Some of Josiah's friends...

Brady, Ethan and Josiah

I think I need to work on my skills. Josiah, however, was very pleased with our work. He even drew eyelashes and made the pumpkin a girl.

Isaac decorated a pumpkin for his class to celebrate Fall and good literature. The kids were to decorate it as their favorite book and talk about the story. Isaac chose to use There's No Such Thing As A Dragon for his pumpkin and presentation. He was super proud of his pumpkin, even though his wasn't wearing a dress, wig, shoes, glasses or hat like many of his classmates' pumpkins. haha

Somewhere Over The Funnel Cake

Olivia has really enjoyed her alone time with me during the school days. Today she made a really cute rainbow that she is super proud of.

The posing went on and on.

Our family was eating lunch with a friend the other day when she mentioned that she had never eaten a funnel cake. Well, I happened to remember seeing a recipe for funnel cake and invited her on over last night. She and another friend came for a night of Dancing With The Funnel Cakes. (See if you can decipher that one.)

The funnel cakes were amazing last night and today! The kids (who have also never eaten them before) thought I was the best snack maker ever. Score.

Boys Will Be Boys

The End

(Don't miss the post below about Mr. Andy)

Andy Shmandy

He may not be the smartest dog in the world, and he may nip at Olivia's skirt every time she walks by him, and he may whine when he's left closed up in a room, but he's pretty close to perfect in my book.

Andy got his first trim a couple of days ago and it changed his look so much. I told Jay that he doesn't look like a disgruntled teenager anymore (with his hair hanging over his eyes).

I wish that all (6) of you readers could feel his super soft hair. Until then, enjoy the pics and think of cotton.

Field Trip, Jags Game, and Nature Walk

Josiah's class has been reading the Junie B. Jones books. They were so excited when they found out that a musical was being put on by a local college on Junie B. Jones. I've never seen a teacher as eager for a field trip in my life. She's been reading these books to her classes for the past 13 years. I went as a chaperon.

Josiah and a couple of boys in his class.

(Tyler and Sam)

Kindergarten AND 1st grade went on the field trip, so Isaac was able to go, too.

(I can't remember the name of the boy on the left...Matthew, Isaac and Jack)

Jay went to a Monday night football game last night.

Jacksonville vs. Tennessee

Jags lost. Big time.

Olivia and I went on a nature walk today. I love all of the great things we found...even a dead dragon fly.

My little chipmunk gathering her acorns.

The Past Few Days

I haven't posted in a couple of weeks, but it hasn't been boring around here. Would you like to see some of what we've been up to?

We went with some friends downtown to the arts market. It's so relaxing to be down there.

Unless you are a tall guy with a unique name...

Our friend, Tripp, was chosen from the audience to help strap this guy up. Poor Tripp.

Baby L. went with us, too. She makes the best faces.

I love these 3 kids.

I had to take a picture of Isaac with his homework for two reasons:

1. I'm proud of his handwriting.

2. I can't believe he didn't ask me how to spell a single one of these words. When did he learn how to spell "clothes"?

S'more out on our driveway...

I think that our neighbor friend doesn't know exactly how to act. He's trying not to overdo it like the goofballs next to him, but he doesn't want to be left on the sidelines either.

I think she filled her quota.

I went to a sorta-kinda cooking class with some ladies from my church.

Super Gayle and Terrific Jay

Josiah was the first of our kids to be brave and hop into the inner tube. He loved it!

So did Isaac.

Isaac also noticed that his friend, MB, jumped into the water and swam back to the boat. He was so excited and went for it as well. I'm not so sure he thought it was all it was cracked up to be. But he was very proud of himself later.

Even Olivia took a turn.

After boating, we headed out to a Fall party with a group of friends. And those friends + us = lots of kids. I say, "The more the merrier!"

Treasure Hunt

pondering the next clue

The treasure? Loads of candy!

The night ended with a great time roasting S'mores around the fire.

We are so thankful to be blessed with great friends.