Hmmm...the end of October

Fall Festival at Bebe's School

We began the night watching Bebe get DUNKED! The kids were mesmerized by this- Bebe is a great sport and raised a lot of $ for the school!

Sarah Claire and Matthew- thankful for good friends!

With Bella and Ellie Grace

The cotton candy was goooood....

Sarah Claire at her farm breakfast.

Blaine made all "A's" on his report card- we had to celebrate! Krispy Kreme actually gives a free doughnut for every "A"!

The girls, of course, enjoyed the doughnuts too!

Blaine and Mark made an "arrowhead" out of a stick and stone he found at the beach-

Just a picture of where I found AB...

My 1/2 marathon is in 6 days...Mark and I leave for Savannah Thursday. Last week I found out that I have a possible tear in my meniscus on the outside of my right knee. This has been such a hard thing for me- training so long for this race! Soooo...I plan to run and HOPE to finish with a good time. I'm nervous and excited...I will have an MRI done Tuesday night to confirm if it is my meniscus. Running has been something that I have enjoyed and hope to continue to enjoy. Stay tuned...

Preview of some pics I took today...

Fall Happenings

Time sure does seem to be flying by... I look back over these past few weeks and think how blessed I am, but often struggle with "in the moment" little things! For example, my kids are having a hard time with words and being nice to one another- it's a daily struggle at our house! I know it's normal, but I let it get the best of me sometimes! The verse I have written out and now is hanging on our refrigerator for our family to memorize and discuss is "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1 These daily "little" battles can build up and get the best of us! Anna Britten is in a VERY independent stage right now and getting into EVERYTHING!! I often find her on top of counters plundering through cabinets! I love her dearly, but she is about to get the best of me too!

Leigh, Mom, and I took a trip to Birmingham a couple of weeks ago. We had so much fun shopping- yes, we went to every mall there! We also went to see Alabama play Vanderbuilt for homecoming. It was a lot of fun!

Roll Tide!

Anna Britten is going to be Ariel for halloween. Leigh bought her a purple leotard for part of her costume (it is so very cute- more on it later). This leotard comes out at least once every other day! We even "tried" a ballet class at Creative Outlet where Sarah Claire takes, but I have decided she's not quite ready yet!

And a pose...

Blaine and Sarah Claire had a "smart walk" to school for this month. Mark and I both got to walk them to school.

We now have a COLD SNAP here in Fairhope and had to try it out. The kids love the fact they get to make their own yogurt creation! It was a little "last hurrah" before Leigh went back to Texas!

Mark celebrated his birthday last Friday. The kids decorated the kitchen for him with balloons, streamers, and signs...

The "red plate" and special birthday dinner.

We went to visit Grandmother last weekend. We had a great time even though it was a short visit. I love this picture of all but two of her Great-Grandchildren. Our family sure is blessed!

Blaine is doing so well on his reading. He had his first book report due this week. He read the book Tornado by Betsy Byars. He loves to read the Magic Treehouse Books and he is also loving Beverly Cleary's The Mouse and the Motorcycle series.

He had his last soccer game this week...his team was The Fury!

Love this of Sarah Claire...she and Kit in matching gowns fast asleep!

A few FuN pics to end on...

Catching up from September...

I guess this is what happens when you go back to work part-time....your blog suffers- ha!! This was actually my first week back at work so I have no excuses from last week! Life is just BUSY....period!

This is Blaine trying sushi- NOT!! He was pretending, but I thought he just might accidently eat it. No luck!!

Our Friday movie nights continue- I am introducing the kids to classics like Swiss Family Robinson, The Sound of Music (they LOVED), and The One and Only Genuine Original Family Band (One of my favs!!!). This past week our church had a KNO (Kids Night Out) so Blaine and Sarah Claire got to see The Lion King in 3D.

What is she up to?

Blaine has been studying landforms at school- his class made a landform map out of dough- it was soooo cool! Of course, he had to add the star wars plane!

We went to eat supper with David, Mindy, Walker, and Lucy while they were camping and this was the ride home....

Mark volunteered to work at the jubilee festival, so the kids and I went to visit. We had a good time...

This same weekend was special because Mark was ordained as a deacon at church. What an honor and blessing to be able to serve our church in this way. So proud of him!

More pics from the Jubilee Festival!

Thought this pumpkin cookie was cute- got it from Panera!

I went on a field trip to the Daulphin Island Sea Lab last week with Blaine's class. It was a fun trip- so glad I can do these things!!

Making cupcakes last Saturday!

This outfit cracks me up- she dressed herself and carried the purse around as she walked outside.

Growing up way tooooo fast!!