From the Tent to the Turkey

 The boys headed off for a camping trip at the beginning of the break. Jay had recently stocked up on new camping gear and was eager to put it to use with Jacob and Tuttle. They hoped for multiple nights, but since we are dealing with a master bathroom repair and delivery of a new dishwasher, the adventure was limited to only one night. 

The boys were able to check off a lot of fun in only a short time. Jacob loved hiking and chopping down a tree for fire wood. Tuttle enjoyed driving Jay's Jeep on the trail roads and cooking dinner for everyone. They are already planning another getaway!

We drove to Madison for our first Thanksgiving feast on Thursday. Grandmommy and Grandaddy hosted, and we gobbled up a delicious meal. The cousins raced the go-cart around the house, and I convinced my own children to stay in "fancy" clothes just long enough to snap some pictures....

We have so much to be thankful for this year. In such a hustle and bustle world, I am so glad that the kids appreciate what really matters.

Happy Thanksgiving 2022!

So Thankful

 We have so much to be thankful for this year....

a neighborhood full of great friends that celebrate each other (Happy 40th Birthday, Matt!)

family recipes that we can pass down to a new generation

the fact that I do not have to keep up with middle school fashion anymore :)

a little boy that still wants to snuggle in our bed every night

living close enough to Athens that we can easily head there on a Friday for an amazing concert

sweet holiday performances at an even sweeter school

and being reminded about what is really important to be thankful for...

Christmas decorations have already taken over the house, and Leo is clearly a fan of the new climbing toys

After traveling the last few weeks for his new job, Jay is taking vacation this week for Thanksgiving. VERY thankful to have my hard working husband home.

Happy Halloweenie!

 We competed in our annual pumpkin carving contest the day before Halloween while Grandmommy and Grandaddy were still in town visiting. This was the first year that everyone carved their own pumpkin independently! Jacob did not hesitate with his design or digging right in. Maggie stressed for perfection, but ultimately won the social media voting poll by a landslide!

For the record, the creations belonged to the following family members: Dracula (Mommy), Aunt Gladys (Daddy), Jack-O-Sparrow (Jacob), Owl (Maggie), and Gary, with the upset stomach (Tuttle).

Maggie also participated in her gym pumpkin decorating contest. We were sure that this was her year to win a free private lesson, but our rubber duck design did not place at all. A gym friend suggested that we enter Maggie into her real estate company competition, and Maggie won one of two $50 Amazon gift cards!

With Halloween on a Monday, we started our trick-or-treating early in the neighborhood. Unexpectedly Jacob started complaining of an ear ache about 30 minutes before we left the house. I encouraged him to try to enjoy the day, but he asked Daddy to bring him home after only a few houses. You know a six year old has to be hurting to forgo Halloween! Maggie offered to take his bag around to collect candy for him to eat later.

Jay was such a good sport with his mustard costume. Maggie found it at Target when she discovered the hotdog costume and wanted the duo to be matching. We took some fun photos, and then Maggie suggested that Daddy just wear regular clothes to walk around Foxhall. :) 

Soon after Jacob retreated home, Tuttle took off for the neighborhood across the street to meet up with friends. That left me and the Halloweenie to tackle as many houses as we could. Rosie joined us in our almost three hour hunt for candy!

Tuttle told us that this will probably be his last year trick-or-treating. I am not ready for this sweet tradition to come to an end with my babies! I am hoping he changes his mind when he realizes that he will not have a pillow case of candy to snack on for months if he quits! :)