Thanksgiving Break in Virginia

Here's Matt up on his parents' roof cleaning out the gutters.

Aunt Leia and Abbie with her Kit doll

The girls had the entire week of Thanksgiving off so we headed to Virginia to spend Thanksgiving with Matt's family.  It was kind of a cramped ride because our mini-van ended up being in the shop for a couple of weeks, requiring a new engine, so we took our Mazda instead.  Overall though, the girls were really good travelers.  Matt's parents were able to take some vacation days as well and Leia, his sister, had most of the week off.  It was a very chilly week but we got to do several fun things.

We were really glad that we were able to go to Virginia.  I haven't blogged about it but Matt's dad, Tom, has been having health problems since this summer.  He was diagnosed with one of two motor neuron diseases which is similar to ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease.  He began having problems with slurred speech this summer and noticed some changes when he was walking.  This led to a few months of testing.  We should know for sure what his diagnosis is next month after he gets the results from further bloodwork. 

At this time, Tom is still working for the VA hospital and his mom, Teresa, is working at a school as a teacher's assistant. 

Our girls had fun doing some crafts while we were there, visiting the science museum, going to visit Santa, seeing the movie Frozen, which was really good, and trying out some new restaurants.   We also played a lot of games while we were there, especially Bingo and Uno Attack.  Abbie was the only one who got excited when she had to take more cards in her hand for Uno. 

Come Dance a Jig!

Sophie's class represented Ireland.

Ava, Sophie, Libby, Ashton, Olivia and Caroline.  (Sophie, Ashton, and Olivia are in Girl Scouts together too).

Abby and Sophie

Abbie showed us her artwork.

 

Here's Sophie showing off her artwork.

Last night, the 3rd graders had a musical performance called "Americans All".  Each class represented different countries around the world (there are 8 classes).  It was a great program with singing and dancing! They showed that even though there's a lot of diversity within the U.S., we are all one family.  Sophie had a solo speaking part and she did an awesome job!  She introduced the Irish dancers from her class.  Uncle Phil, Nana and Paw-paw were able to come which made it a special night.  One thing that was kind of funny is that I decided that we should get there early this time so that we could have good seats.  (We usually end up in the back on the bleachers.) We got there plenty early and I thought we had good seats (Sophie had told me which side she was standing on).  What we didn't realize was that the kids on her side would be facing the other direction so we couldn't hardly see Sophie's class.  Oh, well!  Kind of ironic.  We could definitely see Sophie when she performed her speaking part because she was front and center.  I'm thankful that we ordered a DVD so we can watch it later and see her class better.  =)

It was a special night for our family too because it was Paw-paw's birthday.  We had a quick bite to eat before the show and afterwards, they came over to our house for cheesecake.  Happy Birthday Paw-paw!!

November Parties

Abbie with her turkey disguised as Santa!

Here's thing 1 and thing 2 at Carter's birthday party.

Rick and Kristy Ault at her baby shower (she is Abbie's teacher).

Abbie and her friend, Addison at the shower.

 Life doesn't ever seem to slow down.  November has been busy with birthday parties, finishing the soccer season, Girl Scouts, school, etc.  One weekend in November, all of the room moms for Abbie's class (myself included) gave a big baby shower for Abbie's teacher at our neighborhood clubhouse.  I didn't take many pictures but it was so nice!  Mrs. Ault, her teacher, is having a baby girl in January.  All of the students in Abbie's class and their families were invited as well as the other kindergarten teachers and some of her former students.  It was a pretty big baby shower.  I thought some of the room moms had done a wonderful job with the decorations.

The next day, Abbie had her last soccer game and it was COLD.  I brought iced sugar cookies, pretzels and drinks for the games as a special snack for their last game.  Later that day, we went to cousin Carter's 1st birthday party.  I didn't get a cute picture of Carter and the girls but Keri (my cousin) had done a wonderful job with all of the Dr. Seuss decorations.  They had green eggs and ham, goldfish and assorted snacks that all related to the Dr. Seuss books.  What a cute party theme!! Aunt Martha, Morgan, Nana, Uncle Mike and our family were able to come from our side of the family.  The party was held at Aunt Patti and Uncle John's house.  If I need help doing a party, I know who to call!  I always love watching a 1 year old eat their cake but Carter doesn't like cake so he didn't want anything to do with it.  =)  The kids had fun jumping in the bounce house.  

Halloween 2013

our family on November 1, 2013

 
me and my girls

the mad scientists

Abbie and Addison, a friend from school

Sophie and Abbie

Abbie and Sophie are contemplating-which house will have the best candy?  (just kidding)

trunk or treat at church Oct 30, 2013

Our family enjoyed going to trunk or treat at church the night before Halloween.  The weather was really nice and we saw several of our friends.  They also had a hot dog supper that most of our family enjoyed (except Matt who won't eat them).  On Halloween, it was really windy and it rained.  People in our neighborhood moved trick or treating to Friday, November 1st instead.  Halloween night, we just stayed in and had a normal night.  Then, we went trick or treating on that Friday night around our neighborhood.  I forgot to get a picture of Nana and Paw-paw but they came out to our house and gave out candy.  Sophie was a mad scientist and Abbie was a cowgirl this year.  Matt decided to wear his lab coat and tie dye shirt too on Friday night so we had two mad scientists!

 

Fun at Walden Farm

Sophie and Abbie with the big wagon.

Abbie and Sophie are ready to ride the pumpkin train!

Abbie loved going down the big slide!

Abbie worked and worked to find the perfect pumpkin but we left it there. 

 Abbie and Sophie-2013

                                                                    

On the weekend after fall break (Sunday, October 20), we met up with Paw-paw and Nana after church, changed clothes and had lunch before heading out to Walden Farms.  It started out as a very chilly fall day but it warmed up to be really nice.  I failed to get any pictures of Nana and Paw-paw but we had a good time going through the little haunted house, going through the corn mazes, the girls climbed the hay bales, rode the pumpkin train and fed some animals.  They also enjoyed playing in the corn.  There were a lot of people there that day but we managed to get a few pictures.  Abbie really wanted us to buy her a pumpkin but we had already bought some and she had gotten one at Lucky Ladd Farms so we turned her down.  Both girls have grown a little bit since last year (although it's hard to tell about Sophie from this picture).   Halloween pictures to come soon!

Bye-Bye Atlanta

Our girls with Evelyn Grace right before we left.

 

The girls with the ferris wheel that's right by the Olympic park.

silly Abbie won't be still!

Thanks for letting us stay with you, Patrick, Suzanne and Evelyn.  We had a great time!  Sorry that we missed the Burnett's and Uncle Bobby this time but they both had company.  It was nice to see Paw-paw Tom and Aunt Leia!

Lions, Tigers and Bears...oh my!!

We got to see the male and female lions up and about-a rare treat.  We were so close to them!

We found two sweet little lions there!

Here's the baby rhino-what a cutie!  We got to watch her playing some.

Sophie and the elephants.

Aunt Leia, Paw-paw Tom, and Sophie

Here are some more pictures from our trip to the zoo.  We had such a good time!  Beautiful weather.  Lions sleep about 19 hours out of the day so we were excited that we got to see the lions moving around.  Before we left the zoo, the girls got to play on the playground for a little bit.  Matt's dad, Tom, has been having some health problems since this summer.  He's had a lot of different tests done to try to find out what is wrong.  He did fine walking around at the zoo (I think) but I'm sure he was tired.  Matt and Leia went to get the cars before we left while the rest of us hung out by the playground.  After the zoo, we said our goodbyes.  Matt, Paula and the girls had dinner with the Williams on Sunday night.  Monday morning, we slept in and then after the girls played a bit, we took the girls by the Olympic Park.  Then, we had lunch at Pappasito's, a wonderful Mexican restaurant I was introduced to years ago in Texas, before heading home to Franklin.