Halloween and More Fall Photos!

Just wanted to post the Halloween pictures. Notice how the kids started off working on the pumpkins, but Dad and Gregg ended up finishing them. The picture of the cute baby is Cason. I've been babysitting him for about 1 1/2 months now. He's alot of fun- the kids sure enjoy him. Also I've posted pictures from the Roaring Fork Trail in Gatlinburg. More pretty colors! Love you!

Beautiful Fall Weather!

October is my favorite month and I love being here in the Smokies where the fall colors are so pretty! The kids have decorated Halloween cookies. The day they did this it was about 65 inside the house and Savannah was freezing (notice the pink band over her ears in the picture). They are excited about trick-or-treating. Savannah is only going because she wants candy, but she isn't as thrilled about dressing up this year! She's growing up!!! The weather here has been gorgeous. We've have several cold days this week; the high yesterday was 44. We had frost on the ground this morning. We went camping this past weekend in Cosby. It was in the mid 30's during the night so we got pretty cold! I'm sure we won't be camping again until spring! Savannah said she woke up during the night to find Rascal in the corner of the tent shivering so she had him snuggle up to her and she covered him with a blanket. I am certain there was a bear in the area- I heard one of the nearby garbage dumpsters rocking back and forth for about 30 minutes. People in the nearby tents were calling out, "What is that?". I couldn't get back to sleep forever because I kept listening for any noises that could possibly be from a bear! Savannah is usually a light sleeper like I am, but she didn't hear a thing because she had ear plugs in! Well- enjoy the new photos! Love to all!

Lots of Activity Here!

A couple weeks ago, we hosted the middle and high school group and their families for a cookout. We played volleyball and basketball and grilled hotdogs. We had about 45 people here! Some of the group went down to the river and stuck their feet in! They wanted to dive in so bad! One guy slipped and fell in the water, which was pretty funny! Savannah has been keeping us busy with volleyball. She made her school team and practices every single day after school for about 2 1/2 hours. I know she'll be ready to just chill out at home by the time the season ends in October! Conley and Savannah both are enjoying school. Conley plans to play basketball again this winter! Well- just wanted to do a quick update! Savannah reminded me that it had been a few weeks. Love to all!

Birthday Week for Gregg and Conley

This week was spent celebrating one birthday after another! Gregg's b-day was the 11th and Conley's was the 17th. Gregg had a b-day dinner of boiled shrimp, corn-on-th-cob, new potatoes, and french bread with a derby pie for dessert. He got a new weed-eater (and a new riding mower to come in September when they go on clearance), a gift card to Starbuck's, and money! He better enjoy this year- his last of the thirties! Conley celebrated by going to Nascar Speedpark and Mr. Gatti's Pizza on Saturday. On Sunday, he chose for me to make a Mexican lunch of tacos, beans, and rice. Then he got to open his presents and eat his cake that my mom made him. He's so funny! He didn't want any special decorating on his cake. I guess he thinks he's too big for that now. He got a R/C Hummer that will go in the dirt, money, CD's, and a karaoke machine. Savannah got him "google" glasses (the big old kind that take up your whole face) and some hillbilly teeth. For those of you that don't know it- Conley is our family comedian. He has created a character named "Diddle" with a particular look and voice and he is constantly acting as this personality. Savannah says Diddle is Conley's "alter ego"! She is always laughing at him! I'll have to post a photo of Diddle soon! Anyway- today was the first day of school here in Sevier County. Conley started a new school and will be there with his sister for the next two years until she moves on to high school. (UGH! That's too soon for me to think about right now!) The individual photos of the kids were taken this morning- the annual back-to-school picture. I'm sure they'll have another wonderful school year!

Family Time in Florida!

I just got back from the Pensacola area (Pace) on Friday night. The kids and I went to visit my family. The kids are staying an extra week then Mom and Dad will bring them home and stay with us for a while. I was able to visit with my grandmother a couple of times, we spent the night with my sister, Rebecca, and her family one night, and we went to the beach for a photo session with the kids then let them swim for a while. My aunts and uncles and some of my cousins came over one evening for dessert and it was great to see all of them! The kids in a photo above are doing their "Kid Stack"! They made that up a long time ago when they were all very little. Rebecca and I laughed that they may still be doing this when their teens! Hope you love the pictures as much as I do!