Showing Some Red, White, and Blue love

Veteran's Day was special this year, because we were able to actually celebrate it with our veteran! We are so proud of DJ for his hard work and sacrifice in serving in our country's military. It was nice to be able to wish him a happy Veteran's Day in person, as well as spend some time with him. Our school hosted a Veteran's Day Appreciation Breakfast this year, and DJ was able to come and be a part of the celebration. Grace's class led the Pledge of Allegiance, then the school chorus honored the veterans by singing several beautiful patriotic songs. It was nice to spend some time together, remembering all the amazing men and women who have fought for our freedom and kept our country safe. Thank you, veterans!

Family Photo Shoot

A few weekends ago we had a very dear friend take some pictures of our family. In anticipation of Dad starting chemotherapy, we wanted to get some nice photos of the five of us. Chris did a wonderful job with the pictures, and we all enjoyed the session. I'm thankful for good friends who are willing to help our family!










This last one is my favorite picture of the day. Papaw and his girl, best buddies!

Field Trip Fun

Grace's Pre-K class took their first field trip the last week in October. Twenty 4 year olds, plus myself, two teachers, and a slew of parents, all trekked over to the Sand Hill Fire Department and the Villa Rica Police Station. It was, surprisingly, a fun day!

Oh my, Grace thought she was big stuff because she got to ride a school bus for the first time.




The fire station was definitely the highlight of the trip! The kids loved checking out all the equipment!




The fire truck siren was SO loud!


She was barely taller than the tire!


Grace and her buddy, Kase, inside the fire truck


Her favorite was spraying the water hose!




Grace and her friend, John. She claims John is her boyfriend...SIGH!



We enjoyed a picnic lunch at the Mill in downtown Villa Rica.


Up next, the police station!

This better be the closest she ever comes to being inside a police car!




She and Ricky were not thrilled with the detective's speech...ha!


Grace's class with our town's police chief


Sitting in one of the judge's chairs in the courthouse




One field trip down...dozens more to go!

Happy Halloween 2010

We went trick or treating with our usual Halloween buddies, the Morse family, again this year! After a leisurely dinner and some excited costume changes, we managed to get out there to start knocking on doors. This was the first year that Grace and Abby went up to each door alone, with no parents. We stood on the sidewalks and in the driveways, watching and waiting. Grace relished her independence, and rang every doorbell with glee! She had to be reminded a few times that ringing the bell one time was enough, but she was prepared when every door opened with a loud "TRICK OR TREAT!"









Abby, her baby brother Daniel, and Gracie girl


It's hard to believe that this was Grace's fifth Halloween! She is such a joy to us!

All things October...

I have not been keeping up with the blog at all lately, since things have been so hectic, so I am going to attempt to catch up now. Here we go!

We visited Carlton Farms pumpkin patch again this year with some friends. It was so hot, but we enjoyed our afternoon on the hayride, sorting pumpkins, petting the baby animals, and playing in the hay. This was our fourth year going to the pumpkin patch with the Slatton's. Taylor and Grace always run down this dirt road together, racing to the hayride.

2007


2008


2009


2010- they switched sides this year!























We went to our town's Halloween festival this year, and Grace decided to go as a princess. She put on one of the dresses she wore as a flower girl (she was in so many weddings this year, ha!) and let me curl her hair, then we spent some time trick or treating downtown with my family. What a fun afternoon!













Our school had a Masquerade Ball one Friday evening. I worked a booth selling candy for QUEST, while Grace and my parents enjoyed the music and friends. Grace and several of her Pre-K buddies danced and danced, and she was so tired by the end of the night!











We finally got around to carving our pumpkin a few days before Halloween. Much to DJ's dismay, we made a smiley face Jack 'O Lantern. Grace dived right in and helped scoop out the pumpkin guts, and even ate some of the pumpkin chunks!














The Friday before Halloween, she wore her special Halloween outfit to school and went trick or treating around the classrooms. Her class also had a Halloween party with lots of goodies!







Trick or Treatin' pictures coming next!