Trick or Treat!

Happy Halloween!!!

We had a great night celebrating Halloween in London with Jason's parents and sister Aprile. Buzz and Woody ran from house to house yelling trick or treat, Happy Halloween, Thank you, and YEAH!! Maggie said, "Teat" and "dank du" at each house. She wanted to run as fast as the boys. Every now and then she would get a little rush of excitement and squeal and run faster. They were equally excited to finish the neighborhood so they could help Grandad pass out candy. Each handful they grabbed went half to the Trick or Treater and half to their own bag.

About half way through the night we looked up and saw an incredible double rainbow! It was gorgeous!!! You can't really tell it was a double in this picture, but it truly was beautiful. We paused to tell the boys about God's promise to us.

I have never seen so many Trick or Treaters! I think most of Clay County came in to London for Trick or Treating. The neighborhood was lined with cars. Although it was a little scary trying to watch three kids who wanted to run, it was fun to see so many kids in costumes. Maggie loved looking at everyone dressed up.

Back home showing off their loot!

A Magical Disney Halloween

With the boys being four and Maggie being almost two, this Halloween has been the best one yet! We have three Disney characters this year. Best Buds Woody and Buzz Lightyear and little Miss Minnie Mouse. We have already gotten great use of the costumes.

On Thursday, we visited at Kimmie's house. We ate yummy taco soup with PB&J sandwiches and the kids got lots of Halloween treats.

On Friday all three of the kids had Halloween parties at school. I had the best treat of all! Little Minnie Mouse and her two school friends came to trick or treat in my classroom. The boys wore their suits to school for their party. They went trick or treating from classroom to classroom and iced and decorated cookies. Unfortunately Mommy left Austin's cowboy hat at school. I guess next year when we receive the letter that says not to bring accessories we'll listen! Austin was such a great sport. I've mentioned in previous posts that he loves his hat and wants to wear it daily. When we realized we had left his hat he was upset, but didn't shed a tear.

Friday night we made our Trick or Treating rounds to my Granny and Ma-maw and Pa-paw's. It was great to see them. I am blessed with wonderful grandparents who love to see the kids. Woody lucked out..... Ma-maw hat a cowboy hat from when she traveled to Texas! Woody is now complete with a new hat!

Here are a few pictures of Friday. Just a reminder... I can't post pics of one special boy.

FYI.... he's the one with a Jack-O-Lantern face!

Woody, Buzz, and Minnie Mouse

Visiting with Gigi

Gigi tickled Maggie's tickie hoe (Tickling hole AKA belly button). MJ raised her dress and Gigi got her. She laughed and loved it!

Woody and Buzz giving my Pap-Paw a big hug

Nana and Minnie

Minnie loves Pa-Paw... Pa-paw loves Minnie too.

Minnie has a hard time keeping her ears on.

Me and My Pa-Paw

I sat by his side most of the visit and he rubbed my arm. His hands were so warm. He looked at me in the eyes and said "I love you sweetie" before I left. He put both hands on Austin's face and said,"Pa-Paw loves you." I pray Austin Porter will always remember his Great Grandfather Stanley Porter.

Carving Our Pumpkin!

This past Sunday we finally carved a pumpkin! Jason did a great job! I was busy picking out the seeds to roast them in the oven.

Austin loved scooping out the icky gooey insides of the pumpkin.

Sweet baby... stole candy from the Halloween basket and opened it without us even knowing. She's learned from her two big brothers.

It has been so fun decorating for Halloween this year. I cut down the corn fodder on Jesse's farm with a tobacco cutter, we bought pumpkins from Bi-Water Farm, wrapped a couple trees in orange lights, and added the scary pumpkin!

Be afraid!

Gatlinburg with the Family!

There is just something about the smell of fudge, mixed with kettle korn, and smoke coming from nearby restaurants that makes me want to take in a deep breath of fresh Smoky Mountain air! I love Gatlinburg in the fall. Growing up I made many wonderful memories camping in the Smokies with my family. I remember finding the perfect stick to whittle for marshmallows, sharing a caramel apple with my dad, hiking in the mountains, and, of course, buying an air brushed t-shirt.

Last weekend we enjoyed making new memories with our little ones and spending time with Jason's family in Gatlinburg. We stayed in a four bedroom cabin with plenty of room for the kids to run wild... and they did!

Happy 4th Birthday Anna! We celebrated cousin Anna's birthday on Thursday night with yummy strawberry cake and presents.

Friday night we had a blast finding our way through a mirror maze, putt-putting in the dark, bending and crawling through the laser quest, and using our magic wands to fight the dragon in the Magi Quest.

Maggie was too funny walking around with her putter and pink ball. She played (or at least walked on) every hole.

Austin opening a treasure chest with his wand.

Maggie called it quits by this point! I just chased her around to keep her from hitting random boys on the head with her wand (oh yes, she did).

After a fun filled night playing, we walked next door and ate at the Flying Horse Grill. The kids rode on the carousel while we waited for the food. It was the perfect place to eat a late dinner after a playing so hard. This is the second year we have done this combo of places. They are conveniently located next door! The food is great, fast, and there's a carousel to keep the kids happy!

The kids loved playing with each other around the cabin. Yes, Austin is wearing my black boots! Anna likes to strike a pose when you get out the camera. She loves to takes pictures and have her picture taken. She is actually a gifted photographer!

Sunday morning we made our annual trip to Pancake Pantry. As the others waited in line, Amy, Jason and I brought the kids over to take a picture and make a wish in the fountain.

Me and my sweetie.

We met in Gatlinburg and got engaged in Gatlinburg. It's our special place.

Maggie is taking note of all cousin Anna's style and sass! When she saw her open her princess dress at her b-day party on Friday, she immediately wanted to take it from her and wear it. She kept saying, "I wear it. I wear it." We bought her a princess dress the next day at the outlet. She loves putting it on!

Austin loves his cowboy boots. He wants to wear them everywhere... school, church, around the house, etc. We bought him a cowboy hat to go with them. Of course the boots are brown and the hat is black, but he first wanted the red cowgirl hat... I settled with the black one! He loves to wear it. I think he's worn it to school everyday this week. He is Woody for Halloween, so the boots and hat will be perfect. Matthew is Buzz.... Best Buds!

A Day at the Pumpkin Patch

Tuesday we headed to Bi-Water Farm to meet Kimmie, her sister Laurie, Brittney, and James. It wasn't the prettiest fall day, but it didn't rain and it wasn't too cold. We fed the animals, road bikes, walked through a haunted barn, went on a hayride, walked the pumpkin patch, picked a few pumpkins, slid down the big slide, and ate yummy pizza at Fat Katz. We had a great day. All three kids were knocked out by the time we got home!

The boys took some money from their banks to buy little toys and candy. I bought two big decorative pumpkins (the ones that are a different color orange) and Kimmie bought me a bag of cute little pumpkins and gourds and both of the boy's pumpkins from the patch. The house looks very fall. I love it!

Poor Maggie. She spent more time on the ground in the dirt than she did standing up. She just kept getting tripped up on the pumpkin patch vines.

She loved feeding the animals. She found this pot on the ground and used it to hold her feed.

Austin on the other hand wouldn't have anything to do with feeding the animals. He didn't like the idea of them licking his hand. He just threw the food on the ground around the animals.

Austin loved picking out pumpkins. He kept finding ones he wanted. He finally decided on a perfect pumpkin for his size. He carried it proudly!

Golden Delicious Fall Fun!

What a fun fall day we've had! A wonderful start to my fall break! We started at the South Elkhorn Fair... one of my favorite things to do in the fall. We dropped the kids off at mom and dad's, so Jason and I could enjoy it together (Thanks!). We bought Maggie some adorable hair bows and a WCHS outfit! It is a blue jean skirt with all different yellow and black (school colors) ribbon looped around the bottom edge (like little taggies). The shirt will have the same ribbon sewn across the front with Maggie embroidered on it. I'll definitely post a picture of her in it. We bought the boys marshmallow shooter guns. They are hilarious! You put a mini marshmallow in at the top and shoot it out by blowing really hard. I promise, it is neater and funnier than I made it sound! The boys have had a ball with them.

Then, we headed to Granny and Grandad's house in London. Aunt Wanda and Uncle Marion are in from South Carolina. So, we all headed out to Granny and Jesse's house. Aunt Chris, Uncle Fred, cousin Carrie, Amy, Caleb, and Anna came too. Wanda brought a TON of Golden Delicious apples from an Orchard in South Carolina. Jesse got out his apple peeler, corer, slicer and the fun began! It was a memorable and yummy experience. Have you ever had a Golden Delicious apple tossed in sugar? Well, you should try it! We now have a freezer full of apples ready to be cooked with butter, and cinnamon. Yum! Jessica, just wait for your first bite of fried apples. I'll cook some for you! (Seriously, who's never had fried apples?)

I started out at the apple peeler and ended up being the toss in sugar and bag filler with Jason's cousin Carrie (She just moved back to London from Texas. She has lived there since I have been part of the family).

After preparing the apples, Jesse fixed a delicious spaghetti meatball dinner. We left before the fried apple pies were made. I hope Jackie gets home soon with mine. I have the coffee waiting!

Here are some pictures of the apple party!

There were even more than this! We only fixed four bags today. The rest are Chris' and Jesse's.

Aunt Chris helping Caleb with the peeler.

The kids enjoyed peeling the apples... for about ten minutes.

Miss Mag loved eating the apples. I had my hand on my face. I looked over at her and this is what I saw. My precious baby.
Thanks Kimmie for the pink Gap sweater. All three wore your shirts today.



Jackie, Jesse, and Wanda.


Cousin Carrie (Chris' granddaughter) tossing the apples and sugar.

A Visit with My Pa-Paw

Last week I took the kids to visit Pa-Paw. We had a very nice visit. Pa-Paw seemed to be feeling well. The kids hugged all over him, gave him kisses, and, of course, loved playing with his walker. As I am in tears already, I will just show you some pictures of my special Pa-Paw.

Maggie giving Pa-Paw five.
I will never forget my Pa-Paw's hands. I was always the one to hold his hand and stand beside him during family prayer or sit by him on the couch Thanksgiving Day holding hands. No matter when or where, I always sat with him for awhile and he rubbed my hand or my knee.

The boys with their great-grand father. Pa-paw is the biological great-grandfather to both Austin and Matthew. Austin Porter is named after Stanley Porter. What a strong, sharp, Godly man to be named after.