Trick-or-Treat!

We had a very busy Halloween day which started with Ella performing in the Fall Festival downtown. She did a great job with her gymnastics routine. I am amazed at what a good tumbler she is! After lunch with Nana, Granddaddy, Nannie, Papa and Aunt Allyson I took Luke home for his nap and Ella and BRett got to stay and ride some rides. Then it was off for dinner at a friends house, then over to Nana's to get ready for Halloween and finally time for Trick-or-Treating.

The kids were really confused since they weren't going to be handing out candy this year like we usually do at church. This year we decided to let the poor darlings do the real thing since it's our last year in the neighborhood. We'll be in the boonies next year! (yeah!!!) Let me tell you, they got over the confusion really fast once they realized it was going door to door and people just giving you the goods. They came home and dumped it all out on the floor. Ella had hers sorted by type of candy. We had a busy but fun day. It's officially kicked off my favorite time of year!

Dorothy times 2!

Optimus Prime

Dorothy

The Pokey Little Puppy

Fun with the Family

My aunt and cousin came into town this past week and we went, with my mom and sister, to see Dr. David Jeremiah. He was amazing and we had a wonderful time. I wish they lived closer so we could get together more often!

Dr. David Jeremiah

This is Charles Billingsley and he is amazing too. His voice is magnificent and his songs are beautiful! He sang several songs during the night.

If Dr. David Jeremiah comes to an area near you, highly recommend going to see him. I bought one of his bible studies and can't wait to get started on it. He was that good! ;)

WOW! What a weekend! My loving hubby threw me a surprise 30th birthday party Friday night and got me good. I had absolutely no idea and was completley shocked! I thought we were on our way out of town to see some friends after a rehearsal dinner. I was completely surprised to see everyone when I walked into Dance South to 'help Allyson move some furniture' before we were on our way out of town. It was a great night and so much fun to see all my friends!
Now, onto my pics! These were from our latest field trip (see, I told you we are hardly ever home!) to finish up a unit of learning about trees. We went to visit a local tree farmer and he taught the kids (and the moms) alot about trees.

Another Parent Observation

This time it was Ballet. Daddy was even able to make this observation and Ella couldn't have been happier.

This boy loves his milk. We have to have it with us everytime we leave the house. He thinks he is such a big boy now that he can drink out of a straw.

Observation Week

This week is Parents Observation Week at Dance South and that meant I got to see what Ella has been up to in Ballet and Gymnastics. She did such a good job during her gymnastics class. She is in the Firecrackers class which is kind of like a prep class for competition. She made sure we were watching her too! lol! Anytime she would get ready to make a pass, she would stare in out direction before her round off. I have to brag for just a second though- the girl really is a good gymnast. No joke! She is 6 and already working on back handsprings. From this momma's standpoint, I'm super proud of all she has accomplished (especially since she took a year off from gymastics last year)! Michael and I have both determined that her flexibility came from him...JUST KIDDING! We all know that's not true! (wink,wink) Happy Wednesday!

Playing outside at our new house

We have carpet!

Our carpet is installed finally and we are getting ready to move, if only the weather would cooperate. The kids were so excited about seeing the carpet and ran back and forth and back and forth upstairs between the playroom and Brett's room. Michael and I can already see where there is going to be a worn path.

Got Milk?

Learning about trees

After learning about apples, we began to study trees. We took a trip out to our new house and Daddy helped us gather several different leaves. We brought them home and used the internet to help us identify what trees they came from. Then we made leaf rubbings and glued like leaves to paper. The kids love ALL crafts!

Halloween Preview

This child loves the camera!

When my dear daughter turned 18 months old, Michael bought me my lovely digital SLR. I {heart} my Canon SLR. The poor thing has had a flash in her face ever since. Hardly a day goes by that I'm not snapping pictures of things we are doing throughout the day and places we are going. This picture is like many that I find on my cameras when I look through the pictures taken. I have no idea when she does this, or more importantly, where I am when she does it! Bless her heart for pleasing mommy and always loving the camera.

The Monster Mash

This is so funny! Check out our family jammin'!

http://www.monstermashup.com/5481e8

Michael's Gator

Michael has been really excited that we now have an alligator hunting season and on his second trip, he finally killed one! This gator was right at 8 feet long. He brought home 'pieces' to show me-not for the squimish...

Holding the prized hide.
Close up of his chompers. Some of his teeth broke off during the struggle. After he had harpooned him, they have to get him close enough to then kill and the gator kept chomping down on the hook that was through the underside of his neck. Michael said it was amazing to watch the force of his jaws.

I'm thinking this will be mounted and hung over our bed...NOT!

Pee-A-Boo

Look at those claws! Can you imagine what they would look like on a 13/14 foot gator???

National Fire Safety Week

Since this week is National Fire Safety Week, we got our group of kids together to meet a real life Fireman, our friend Ross. He was really great! He talked to the kids about fire, fire prevention, escape plans, and much more. The one thing he talked about, that never occurred to me, was how scared kids can be of firemen when they come to rescue them. They are dressed up in this wild, yet amazingly heavy gear, and sound funny due to the oxygen tank. So Ross dressed in full gear so the kids could see what someone rescuing them in a fire would look like and he also turned on his oxygen so they could hear him breathe and hear how his voice sounded different. ( wow- was that a run-on sentence?!?)

Fireman Ross

Our happy little homeschool group with Fireman Ross
(I keep wanting to refer to Fire Marshall Bill- remember him from In Living Color?

Ross is nothing like him, I assure you!)

LET ME TELL YA SOMETHIN'

ok, sorry

After meeting with Ross, the kids got to make their own fire trucks, and then eat them! Don't you just love the hats? Too cute! They were all so proud of them.

I have no idea how he got icing on his nose. To tell you the truth, I don't even want to think about how it could've gotten there. Every home needs a little red headed boy.

Ella making sure her fire truck looks just right.

Squealin' On The Square