When it's too quiet...

I was upstairs for several minutes, helping Jared and getting Madison up from her nap. Evie was downstairs watching television, at least that's what I thought she was doing.

I came downstairs to discover my purse had been emptied out onto the couch. While that's alarming enough, I discovered 4 gum wrappers on the couch, too. Upon further investigation, I discovered only one stick of gum remained in the pack....Hmm. I asked Evie where the other wrappers were and she silently led me to the kitchen trash can---where I found 4more wrappers. Upon asking where the gum was, Evie replied "in my mouth"----which was clearly empty. She 'fessed to eating the gum and then began repeatedly asking if she was going to get a spanking.

Just 60 seconds ago, as I was typing I heard the upstairs gate bang against the frame. Seeing Jared and Evie standing beside me, I became SCARED! I ran upstairs to find a happy, satisfied Madison standing at the top of the stairs.

Moral of the story: If you don't want to get in trouble for dumping Mom's purse, just convince your baby sister to do something dangerous so your Mom will have something else to focus on.

Argh!

A case for evolution?

Blasphemy!

This morning Evie and I were playing "point to that body part" with Madison....who only knows her ear at this point.

Anyway, we'd been playing for a few minutes when Evie started asking me to point to parts. "Mommy, where's your ear? Nose? Feet? Hair? Phone?"

What??? Clearly we're evolving. I think not.

Homemade Peppermint Mocha

I created the PERFECT at home hot coffee beverage this morning....it's the $4.00 cup of coffee without the $4.00 price tag.

Place 1 1/2 scoops of peppermint hot cocoa mix in the bottom of your travel size coffee mug. Brew 2 tsp. coffee in 6-8 ounces of water (directly into cup if possible). Stir well. Add milk to the top of your travel size mug. Top with cool-whip in a can. YUMMY!

Good morning! :)

Here and Now (sort of)

I took these pictures of Madison this morning (yes, THIS morning). I found them interesting because they show her true intelligence....she carried the bathroom stepstool to the kitchen and placed it on the heat vent while she had her milk! She's no dummy--she knew how to stay warm while it was 20 degrees outside.

Jared is SIX

Evie, Madison and I took cupcakes to Jared's class. The little girl in the middle is Jared's good friend "A." (names withheld to protect the innocent:) )Evie rather enjoyed her cupcake, too!

November is finally here!

Okay, so November has been here for 18 days, but it's just arrived as far as my blog is concerned.

I let Jared and Evie paint a week and a half ago.

I love taking pictures before church, but the little people in my house are not always cooperative. Not great pics, but I really dig Evie's knee-high socks!

Trick-or-Treat

Scott called Madison our "third generation giraffe." Not exactly third generation, but the third family member to wear this costume. One noted difference, this is the first WALKING giraffe we ever had.

Leaves, leaves, leaves

We got home just in time to rake a ton of leaves.....which made Jared and Evie immensely happy.

Yeah, right!

Mom & Dad's last night

Mom and Dad were getting ready to pull out the next morning. We spent their last evening at Laura's house. As you can see, the kids were happy to play together one last time. Karen and Mom were like me---taking pictures, to avoid having their own photo snapped.

A ride from back in time

Scott's dad arranged for the kids to go to a friend's tractor dealership (?) and sit on some real live equipment. Evie had a blast---until the guy started up the engine. The noise freaked her out a bit and she was done. Not Jared, he got to go for a ride.

Do you know how much new tractors cost these days?? I think the guy said this one, pictured above, started around $90K. Jared sat in another one that started around $200K. Ouch! No wonder produce is so high these days! :)

Old Friends, Good Food

We had dinner with Scott's oldest childhood friend, Dan, along with his wife Sandra and their kids, Daniel and Isabella. I did manage a picture of Sandra and Isabella, but since I want Sandra to be my friend forever, I am not posting it! :) No one likes those super-candid shots, taken at weird angles.....

So, you are stuck with only a cute photo of Jared and Daniel. It'll have to do.

Saluda, North Carolina

No trip to Western North Carolina is complete (for me, at least) without a day in Saluda--my hometown. You can see its claim to fame below. My first job was in this teeny-weeny town at the Green River BBQ. So, when we go to NC, we eat BBQ and take a stroll down Main Street.

It was so sweet to see Savanah, Jared & Evie sitting on the railroad tracks that run along Main Street. It was such a nostalgic moment for me!

The kids get "hands on"

We took the kids to a children's museum, Hands On. They had a blast! Judah thought this was the perfect place to take a nap....at least for a little while.

Tonya's kids enjoyed painting.

Scott and Jared had fun trying to make big bubbles.

The colored rice table was a hit!

Evie and Savanah played on the stage.

Sunday at George & Tonya's House

We had another family get-together at George and Tonya's place. Tonya's twin sister, Tina, and their younger sister Melissa were there, too!

Here's Evie holding Tina's new baby, Jordan, sitting beside Melissa.

Melissa's husband, John, is on the end; sitting beside Karen, Scott, and Madison.
My dad and Uncle Jimmy are on the right.

The kids played and ate outside on the deck. George was manning the grill. There's Laura leaning over the railing---don't fall! :) Shelby is at the table, while Savanah watched Harley (Melissa's daughter) and Alexa on the riding toy. Are you following the family tree?? :)

Dad & Uncle Jimmy

Tina let Evie hold Jordan. These are my favorite pictures from the day!

Scott and I stayed after everyone else bailed. We got to visit with Tina and Tonya (and their families) for a couple of extra hours.

Around the table: Tonya, George, Jeremy & Tina

I somehow managed to NOT get a single picture of Jeremy & Tina's older son, Jason. I don't know how I did that; you can click on the Arnall link on the right and see tons of cute pics!