Another Thomas Halloween

Yes, Thomas ...again. We are certainly getting our money's worth out of this costume! We had a very big day - first to school for the Halloween party and parade....

...then to Mimi's work where Mimi was nowhere to be found. But, there was a pretty scary witch who insisted on having her picture made with Blan...

...then Uncle Josh stopped by before the evening festivities began....

...then to church where Poppie was working the Fall Festival fishing booth...

...then to Papa Tom's house before trick-or-treating...

...then

finally trick-or-treating the new neighborhood with Momma, Daddy and Grammie.

Meeting up with our neighbor, Fred.

The busiest and best Halloween yet!

The Great Pumpkin

A wonderful day for pumpkin picking!

Daddy and Blan create a super surprised jack-o-lantern.

"Thank you, God, for all this rain!"

We are all thankful for this rain, but Blan was incredibly grateful to God this morning as he donned his raincoat and boots to head off to school.

Scaring more than crows....

We had our first official neighborhood gathering this weekend - the annual scarecrow making party! The hosts provided the hay and the stakes and everyone brought their own scarecrow stuff. It was quite a hoot. While Blan had no idea who our scarecrow was supposed to be, he found her pretty scary. Poor thing, she didn't win the scarecrow contest - apparently, no one really wanted to vote for her. Go figure.

There was also a bonfire, marshmallow and hot dog roasting, and mingling with our new neighbors on Summit Avenue. It was a ball!

Possible running mate???

Tweetsie, Part II

Blan's reward for his outstanding job as ring bearer was a much requested return trip to Tweetsie. For months, he has woken up several mornings a week asking, "Can we go to Tweetsie today?" So, we bribed him: Quiet ring bearer = Tweetsie.

We stayed all day Saturday and he hung in there until the end.

Find some gold for momma, son.

A tired, tired train lover.

Thomas Returns!

Blan and I decided to head to Spencer to see Thomas on Friday. It wasn't a planned trip, but the weather was ideal so we made the 35 minute drive and it turned out to be a full day with little crowds and lots of laughs. We had a great Mommy and Blan day topped off with a funnel cake treat!

Deal's Apple Orchard

We had our first field trip of the year to the apple orchard last week. It was a beautiful fall day - perfect for a hayride, sunflower maze and a picnic lunch. Blan is enjoying his new school friends and I'm enjoying the new friends I'm making, as well.

Blan and his new best pal, Parker.

Leo, Parker and Blan.

Uncle Josh Gets Married!!!

My baby brother and Steele were married September 29th. What an amazing weekend! The weather was incredible, the bride was gorgeous and the party was fabulous! We all had a ball! I am happy to report that the ring bearer, Blan, surprised us all with a flawless performance. He was an absolute angel. Whew!!!!!! The bribery worked!

I am sorry to say, however, that I neglected to take many pictures. I was a little preoccupied with keeping us all together and dressed! Here are a few I managed to get.

Congratulations, Uncle Josh and Aunt Steele!

Thank you for letting us be a part of your big day!

We love you!!!

St. John's bound!

Our big boy started 4 day preschool the day after Labor Day. He is at a new school this fall, St. John's, and loves it! I am so thankful for the loving, forgiving, smart, unbelievably imaginative little boy he is, yet I miss the chunky, cuddly, cooing baby he was. Where does the time go? On our hard days (and Lord knows they're really not that hard) I get frustrated and long for those baby days. Then I begin thinking about the future and homework, insane schedules, girls and peer pressure and I realize these are the good days, the easy days. Today I can protect him and teach him and watch him. "Hold onto today," I tell myself, "for tomorrow will come too quickly."

Blan - Bowling Champion

We took Blan bowling for the first time on Labor Day. I see "League Champion" in his future. I kid you not, the child got a strike on his very first bowl! He was thrilled! We are so proud.

It's been a while!

As most of you know, we've been a little busy with a move around here. We finally got the last of our things into 404 Summit Avenue the last week in August. We moved 95% of everything ourselves, back and forth, back and forth - good times. I am still unpacking a few boxes and finding treasures we packed up almost a year ago when we were preparing to leave Raleigh. It's been a sentimental journey.

Much work has been done - painting, refinishing hardwoods, stripping wallpaper, more painting and wallpapering, weeding, painting, (shopping), painting, etc. The kitchen is half out as we remodel, but it is coming together and it's starting to feel like our forever house.

Blan is very proud and has adjusted incredibly well to yet another new environment. He is digging his new room, but he says his yard is his favorite thing about the house. We are surrounded by other kids, mostly girls. And he loves it! The sound of children playing outside is constant here and it is welcome. This is a wonderful place for Blan to grow. We are finally at home and we thank God each day for answered prayer - for bringing us back and providing this dream place for us. He is so good.

Having silly time in the new bath...