School Pictures

I am not a fan of school pictures but it always seems like something you are supposed to buy even though you know they will come out cheezy. Reagan did surprisingly well considering the smile she was showing me in the carpool line before school. At least they sent home a note saying what the background would be... because the outfit that I would have put her in, had I not known the background, would have looke horrible. This one, however, looks pretty cute I think!!

Great Ideas

When we were in the mountains at the Apple Festival a few weekends ago we came across a booth that had pictures of things that looked liked letters. You could pick the letters (they had lots to choose from) you wanted to form a word. It was very unique and so Stephen and I couldnt pass up the opportunity to get our last name done. They framed it right on site and we picked it up before we left the festival. now I just have to find the perfect place for it.

I thought this one was so cute I had to get it.

Why dont I ever think of cool things like this?

Non-Traditional Pumpkins

Let's face it... I dont know very many kids that like cleaning out pumpkins. And I, as a parent, dont trust my kids with a knife... not even a "safe" knife (is there anything really safe about a 3 year old using a knife? Not in my house.) So this year I decided to skip the pumpkin carving and paint them. I know, I know, it's very un-halloween like of me but I always end up doing all of it anyway (because even though I dont believe him Stephen swears he has never carved a pumpkin) and to be honest with you... I stink at it. My faces always end up crooked and I am way to much of a perfectionist to let it go. So here they are. Our completely uncarved halloween pumpkins. Reagan said I did "such a great job" and that she "loves her "R" pumpkin" so I would guess that she isn't missing the crooked carved faces.

Mine and Stephens
Reagan and Brody's

Weekend Getaway

Last weekend Stephen surprised me and the kids with a nice weekend getaway to a cabin in Elijay Ga. It was just what our little family needed. We had so much fun!!! We have been so busy lately with football season and different trips we had going on that we decided we need some time for just the 4 of us. No one else to answer to, do whatever we want, whenever, no schedules, no timetables, no one to keep happy but ourselves. It was so peaceful.

Me and Reagan in the hot tub... she liked having her own "little swimming pool"

Brody liked splashing in it.

The first day we went to Burts Pumkin Patch. It's our familt tradition to go there. It was a little cold and muddy so we didnt stay to terribly long but its always fun to see all the huge pumpkins.

Reagan fell in a mud puddle like 15 minutes after we got there and got all muddy. It didnt stop her from picking out some great pumpkins.

I let her paint this white one we got.... she thought it was pretty cool!

We managed to make a decent fire in our fire pit. I think my kids would have just run around outside the entire weekend. I sisnt even take any toys with us and I am glad because they had so much fun just playing in the leaves and with sticks and the fire (yes I let my kids play in the fire... I withdraw my nomination for "Mother of the Year")

The second day we were there we went to the "Apple Festival" that was going on in Ellijay. It was a blast. They had lots of fun stuff for the kids to do including Brody's favorite pony (donkey) rides.

They had two camels there and REagan wanted to ride them instead of the horses. Why anyone in Ellijay GA has camels is beyond me but it was cool yet awkward to see.

Lucky Reagan... they had a bungee thing so of course she had to do that.

Riding the Choo Choo Train

REagan getting her face painted. She thought she was HOT STUFF with a pink butterfly on her face the rest of the day.

Reagan rosting marshmellows in the fire.

We enjoyed our trip so much that Stephen and I are looking into purchasing a cabin up there... we will keep our fingers crossed that something we like comes up.

The things you find at Grandmas house....

After our trip to Tennessee it was closer to drive to my moms house than it was to our house so I decided to make a detour and go there for a day. Reagan had been asking to see grandma and Damian so it was a nice little visit.

My moms house is great for many reasons but one of the best things about going there is because she has so many hidden treasures. Like this bag of costumes she had tucked away in the attic. These costumes were mine and my siblings when we were kids and its so funny to watch Reagan and Damian put them on and play in the same things we used to.

Reagan looks like a hot mess here... she is wearing this red princess dress (used to be mine), a Bambi hat thing (used to be Megans) all while wearing some sort of sword thing (currently Damians) on her back. Damian is sporting the army man outfit (that used to be Jordans).

Reagan as Peter Pan. The dress didnt last long because she was having a hard time wrestling in it. This was Jordans when he was about 4 I think.

We did a couple of other fun things but I dont have the pictures yet so I will write about it when I get the pictures from Megan. Thanks for having us mom.... it's always fun!!!!

Shady Valley TN

Two weekends ago Stephen went down to Florida State to hang out with my little brother for the Ga Tech/FSU game. While he was gone the kids and I made the trek to Shady Valley TN with Stephens parents for the Cranberry Festival. Stephens mom was going to have a booth at the festival and his granparents have a mountain house there. It had been a while since we had seen them so it was perfect timing for a visit. We left on Friday morning. The kids did really good in the car (which I was kind of surprised about). We stopped several time on the way there including this little store that has goats living on the rooftop. Reagan thought it was really funny and kept wanting to know how they got up there (there was a ramp at the back of the store for those of you that are just dying to know). Brody was intrigued with a huge bear statue and wouldnt leave its side. Unfortunately I didnt do much picture taking since I was juggling two kiddos by myself.

The first night there was pretty rough... Reagan wouldnt go to sleep and I was convinced that I would leave the next day before bed time so I didnt have to fight that battle again but day 2 was much better. Despite the rain the kids had a lot of fun at the festival. There were inflatable bouncey things and a train ride that Brody rode like 10 times I think. They liked running all over the place and Reagan enjoyed playing with Stephens grandmother. We made homeade bread and ate lots of yummy food. It was a fun trip for all of us!!!

Where have I been???

For all of you faithful blog readers of mine (you know all two or three of you), I realize you have been hungering for another wonderful post from me but unfortunately Reagan giving up her nap has kind of put a kink in my blogging time. I am going to have to figure out another time to do it so.... don't hold your breath for my next instalment.

FSU Weekend

This past weekend I went with my mom (and no kids) to visit my baby brother at FSU. He is on a diving scholarship there and it happened to be parents weekend and even though I am not his parent, I decided to tag along. It was a fun weekend. I got to see Jordan dive, which I hadnt since high school and A LOT has changes since then... he did great. He looks great and it is so obvious that he is happy there. Everyone was so nice and had nothing but great things to say about him. Of course while we were there we had to fix up his room a little. We got him a dresser, some curtains, a few decorations for his room, you know, all the things a college boy doesn't know he needs in his apartment room. It was a great trip. I am so proud of Jordan and the things he has accomplished and I was so happy that I got to be part of his little life for a weekend.

Jordan playing guitar for us in his room... he is really good... all the girls love it which in turn feeds the ego and the desire to keep playing =)

The second day was a "Breast Cancer Meet" so everyone was wearing these pink shirts. The swimmers even had pink bathing suits and swim caps.

Me and my mom at the meet

Jordan and his diving buddy Landon... they had some CRAZY stories about college life.

Jordan getting ready to dive

This is called the tower and yes, Jordan dives off that top platform.

Grabbing some lunch the day we got there

Mom and Jordan: it was fun to see all the places he likes to eat and hang out at.

Jordan and his friend Landon messing around on the platform... me personally... I wouldnt be messing around that high up =)

Jordan Diving

It's a sad, sad day....

Reagan has given up her nap

Enough said....