Halloween 2010

We started the day by going to church and of course, Mimi had provided the perfect dress for the day! Madeline loved wearing this dress and showing everyone her cats.

We got back into our costumes for the last time and everyone was just as excited!
Clay even joined the fun. We own a cotton candy machine (left over from Clay's outdoor movie business) and that is the treat we give out on Halloween. There was a house in the neighborhood I grew up in that had a CC machine and I have vivid memories of going there every year and it being such a hit! This is our 2nd Halloween in the neighborhood and people came back and said they had been looking forward to the cotton candy again! So fun! Clay had a line for almost 3 hours!

Me and my bee

Daddy and Jack on our way to the neighborhood parade

Mad is not so sure what to think of Clay in the wig!

But she and Jack were very sure of how to trick or treat!

This is what she did after every house! Needless to say I only took her to 10 houses b/c it took so long!

Jack checking out his loot! It was a great weekend and such a fun holiday to see through a child's eyes!

Neighborhood Party

My very creative neighbors Leslie (mother of 2yr old triplets) and Ellie hosted a party for the kids on our street on Saturday night. Check out the table spread!

They had games all over the backyard. Madeline enjoyed "stick the broom on the witch."

A semi group shot. There were older kids and babies there too but no one really wanted to sit still!

We live on a great street and have such a good time with our neighbors!

Last Soccer Game of the Season

Jack had his last game and medal ceremony on Saturday. Here is the team waiting for their medals. Check out Madeline. SHe thought she would get one too!

Jack and his buddy Brayden

It was fun season and we are excited for next Fall!

A whole weekend of Halloween!

We started the Halloween weekend tonight with Trunk or Treat at church. Jack and Madeline were very excited to get their costumes on and go to a "party!"

My bumblebee and Jack Jack

CLay was showing his love for the Rangers- they need all the love they can get! Jack called him "Baseball Dad" all night.

Happy to find a lollipop!

There were lots of games inside while the adults set up their "trunks" outside. Jack took a swing at "doughnut on a string."

But decided using his hands was easier!

Madeline had to get in on the action too!

You could win these at the cupcake walk

And Jack did!

He also won Halloween Bingo which was a big hit!

And then it was time to head outside and get more sugar!

Madeline loved walking around with her pumpkin (courtesy of Mimi) like all the big kids.

It was a great night and Fall is finally here with temps in the 60s which I am very happy about! It should be a busy and fun weekend with more parties, soccer game and trick or treating to come!

Halloween at School

I was in charge of Jack's Halloween party at school, thinking I should get my holiday out of the way since I will be a little busy in a few weeks. Jack saw these spider cupcakes in a magazine and wanted to make them. They were a big hit but only Cooper ate the Mallomar!

Jack's class is five boys! We love his teacher Ms Tricia who has two sons and says she was meant to be with boys! She is so great and Jack loves his class and all his buddies!
I borrowed my sister's Cricut to do some things for Jack's birthday party and I tried cutting vinyl on it and making these buckets for all the boys in the class. It was great! If I am on your Christmas list, I REALLY want a Cricut!

Madeline had a party in her class too and loved decorating cookies.

Wild Dunes 2010

In 3 years we have gone from this:

to this:

and this:

And from this:

to this:

Mimi and Goose can never complain about having grandkids seeing how they have 4 (almost 5) in FOUR years!

We made our annual trip to Wild Dunes with my Mom and Dad and the Schupps. The weather could not have been better and we loved the house we rented. Madeline especially loved the tub with jets and lots of bubbles!

Mimi won grandma of the year by taking Maeve and Jack on a "treasure hunt" at the resort and then on a Eco Tour 4 hour boat adventure around the islands. These two had a blast!

Madeline wanted a turn at being a pirate too!

Clay and I got to go on a date to our favorite restaurant- Virginia's on King!

Madeline snuggling with Mimi.

We got home to discover Madeline had an ear infection and fifth's disease which I will take any day over the swine flu we came home with last year. She is all better now and we even went to a Halloween party on Friday. Here is a sneak preview of the cutest bumblebee on the block!

Happy Birthday Maeve!

Last weekend Jack and I went to Knoxville for Maeve's birthday. It was so nice to have time with just him. He is such a fun kid!

Maeve had her party at a farm with pumpkin patch, corn maze and lots of other fun things for the kids.

They are getting so big!!

Picking her pumpkin

Maeve wanted a princess cake and she got it- Cinderella, Ariel and Belle!

Ryan and Julia thought they were going to a J Crew photo shoot and not the farm. Oh wait, this is how they always look- I miss the days of being able to look this cute and not worry about what food is going to end up on you!

Mimi and Goose had this outdoor fireplace built last spring and we got to use it this weekend for the first time!!

Jack loved roasting marshmellows!

The Island

When we were looking at our house, I fell in love with the kitchen island. Finally a space where I could cook and bake and have all my ingredients in the same place within arm's reach. Our kitchen in Atlanta was tiny with zero counter space. When we moved in, I never imagined I would have a little girl and that her favorite place would also be the island! Madeline spends lots of time helping me cook/bake and when she isn't helping she is coloring and entertaining herself which is so nice.

After an encounter with the icing spoon- how much does she look like Clay??? Maybe I will get the next one!

This is my favorite when she lays like this and colors. She seems like such a big girl now!