Oh Christmas Tree...

Aaron, Blan and I took a road trip with Grammie and Pop up the mountain to West Jefferson to choose and cut our Christmas tree - a very big deal (I hear some of you snickering at me now). As most of you know, I am notoriously Christmas tree obsessed. Every year Rick and Jackie go choose their tree and cut it fresh. We have always wanted to go, but we haven't seen the sense in driving a tree an hour down the mountain and 2 hours down I-40 to Raleigh. I must tell you the trip did not let me down - 1 big, gorgeous tree, 2 large wreaths, 105 feet of fresh white pine garland, 2 cups of hot, homemade cider on a blissfully cold and Christmasy day. It doesn't get much better. Thanks for the ride, Grammie and Pop! A new tradition begins.

One little, two little, three little indians....

We were treated to a thoroughly entertaining Thanksgiving program at St. John's Preschool today. The indians did not disappoint. It is so hard to believe this will be our last preschool program with Blan. How quickly he has grown. I am so thankful for the time God has given me to share unforgettable moments like these.

Even Papa Tom got to come to the performance.

Both Grammie and Mimi were there, too!

Parker and Blan...

Falling into Fall.

Blan and Daddy spent some time in the leaves on this wonderful fall day

- a perfect photo op for this Momma.

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???