Wonderful Weekend With Friends

Friday: Trip to Windy Hill Apple Orchard. Disappointed and Discouraged. Called ahead to see if we needed reservations for 4 mothers and 14 children (wow...I know). "No" they said, "just let us know when you arrive". They did not tell me that they no longer do hayrides, tell the Johnny Appleseed story in character, or give out samples of fresh apple juice and a donut. We learned that upon arrival. Anderson didn't understand why we didn't ride a big green tractor. Anagrace didn't understand why a pet pig was not a good idea. The baby piggies were very cute, but I assured her that they would grow up to look like their not-so-cute mother! Picked apples, looked at the farm animals and had a picnic lunch. Although it wasn't the trip we had envisioned, it was still a fun time with friends.

Dickson and Anagrace ready to fill their bags with apples

Anderson contemplating taking a bite

Anagrace reaching high for her apple Gracie and the goat showing their best profile for the camera

Gracie and Emma, aot sure what those expressions are about?!

Obviously a heavy bag of apples! About 31/2 feet tall this Fall!
Cute baby chicks

Cuter baby pigs

Saturday: Justin and I ran the 5k Race for the Cure in downtown. We ran it with our friends from church, Mandy and Byron. (didn't take my camera to get a picture of the 4 of us, bummer) Now, I do not consider myself a runner. I did run track in high school, but the longest event I competed in was 400 meters. We finished in about 36 minutes. Justin definitely could have finished quicker, but he waited on me. It was his idea for us "to do something together". We spent the rest of the day just the two of us (The kids spent the day with their Grammie...thanks, Grammie!). We enjoyed the gorgeous fall weather by riding all over Charlotte in the Jeep. We stopped by a church Fall Festival in the Mountain Island Lake area to look at their car show, then ventured over to IKEA in Concord for lunch and shopping.

A post race photo

A photo of Justin's Jeep with the kids' jeep. (I guess you're never too old for toys)

Sunday: We went to the best church ever! If you are looking for a church in the Charlotte area, visit Elevation! We've decided to start attending the Uptown location. We have been going to the Providence location for 2 years now. Although I feel that the move to Uptown is the right choice, it didn't feel like "home" at the new location. I'm sure that will come with time. During the sermon, the guest pastor said something along the lines that God will call you to the unfamiliar to reach your true potential. UmHmm!

We ate lunch with our dear friends, the Helms after the service. It was a gorgeous fall day, so we walked a few blocks to Fuel pizza. The kids had a great time playing with the dough and hanging out on the patio. Then we were off to our other dear friends, the Massey's house to celebrate their precious baby girl's first birthday! I can't believe our littlest ones, our babies, are one!

The mommies...Amy, Dawn and MeThe mommies with all the one-year-olds...it was a difficult photo to get!Ashton hugging on Mallory...can I get a collective "Awww"Gracie and Jordyn, friends forever

The beautiful birthday baby, Jaelyn!

What a wonderful weekend with friends!

Our First Field Trip

We went on our first field trip of our homeschool year. It was "Homeschool Day" at Latta Plantation. I went with my girlfriend (since the 3rd grade) and her 3 children. Two mothers, 6 children (3 of them still in diapers), one mini van, 6 hours....and *surprise* we had a wonderful time! The big kids enjoyed learning about life on the plantation in the early 19th century including cotton picking, bee keeping, wood chopping, fire starting, and candle making. The younger kids mostly enjoyed the animals.

Big Green Tractor

That is one of Anderson's favorite things of the moment (borderline obsessive) and the title of his favorite song. I think it's pretty humorous that there is acutally a song about a tractor! But since there is and he loves tractors, he loves the song. It's so cute to hear him sing it while he's playing and thinks no one is listening. Well, I found a video on youtube that plays the song and a slide show of lots of different tractors. He was beyond excited. I lost count of how many times he watched it! I had to take a video of him during one of those viewings. Because it wasn't the first time it doesn't show his true excitement, but it's still pretty cute!

"Help" with Yard Work

Since buying our home about 4 years ago, Justin and I have concentrated on remodeling and renovating the inside of our house and have kind of neglected the outside. We both want to do some serious yard work this fall to get the outside of our home in better shape. First, we're going to try to grow some grass. Justin has this crazy idea for rain barrels. He bought 4 empty sealed plastic barrels from a guy selling them through craigslist. We'll just have to see how that turns out! This past weekend he aerated and seeded our back yard. The kids wanted to "help". Ashton wanted to ride on the lawn mower with Daddy. Anagrace and Anderson followed them in their jeep. We were hoping that they weren't packing down the newly plugged and loosened soil! It was pretty funny to watch though, which you can do here:

Wordless Wednesday

Photos of the Birthday Festivities

Well, we had 2 parties for Anagrace's birthday. One on Wednesday, her actual birthdate, with our family. Grandparents, great-grandparents, aunt, uncles and cousins met at Captain Steve's fishcamp (one of Anagrace's favorites) to celebrate her 6th birthday. She was very happy about her Ariel cake and super excited about all of the girly gifts!

With PawPaw Keith, my dad, and her new Barbie fishing rod:
With Papaw and Grammie, Justin's parents, and her little brothers:

With her cousins, Parker and Mekayla

With Nana and Pa, my grandparents, and her Polly Pocket swimming pool:

With Bebe, my mom (who must have dozed off), with her Password Journal:

With Grandma Joyce, Justin's grandmother.

Then, we had a party for just her friends. She wanted a "dress up" party complete with make-up, manicures, dresses and a sleepover! (We did all of that plus made charm bracelets and personalized crowns, and watched "Princess Protection Program") We invited 3 girlfriends and 2 boyfriends (friends that are boys, that is!). The boys were to be there a little after the girls so that they could do all of the girly primping, and their invitations asked them to serve as "photographers" for the fashion show (and weren't invited to the sleepover). Well, unfortunately due to sickness, vacation and other plans only two of the girls invited could come and only one could stay the night. Gracie was not as disappointed as I would have expected, and she still had a fantastic time! Here's the proof:

Lily Anagrace is 6!!!

Then, on her first birthday: Now, on her sixth birthday.

I can't believe how grown up she is. In one way, she still seems like my baby. Only yesterday I was holding her, rocking her, singing her special song, my tiny daughter. In another way, it seems that she is so grown up, too grown up. She is so helpful and considerate, so smart and inquisitive...sometimes it is hard to believe that she is only six. I am so proud of her. I am so grateful for her. And in those gorgeous blue eyes of hers I am still in awe, as much as I was on the first day I saw her. Now, I have so many more reasons to be amazed...she has grown into such a lovely young lady, inside and out.

Happy Birthday, Lily Anagrace! I love you.