Come Ye Thankful People Come

What a blessing to be allowed to use a friend's lake house for our Thanksgiving celebration. We had such a good time hanging out with our family and enjoying the perfect weather God provided in Louisiana.

As if being around family and celebrating Abigail's birthday wasn't enough fun, there was a zip line! Please enjoy the following 2 sequences of pictures.

And now Abigail's turn

By the end of the weekend, the kids had gotten brave enough to ride the zip line with very little assistance.

And a rope swing...are you kidding?

beautiful cypress trees in the lake

pre-Thanksgiving sunset

We are thankful for Hope, our resident photographer and her willingness to take a bunch of pictures for us.

We are thankful for climbing trees.

We are thankful for laughing with Coach.

We are thankful for reading books with Abigail.

We are thankful for Abigail being 3 years old!

We are thankful for Tanner and his willingness to play with us.

We are thankful for God's creation.

A Fall Day!

At our house, you are never too young to rake the leaves

and never too old to jump in the leaves.

Happy Thanksgiving!

to change a problem...

Quotable Quotes

Joshua: I like your shirt DadDad."

Dave: "Thank you."

Joshua: "Yesterday when I was a little boy, I looked for a shirt like that at Alabama-sippi State and I couldn't find one."

Joshua: "Mama, I want a finger cutter for bussert pwease."
Translation: "Mama, I want a Butterfinger for dessert please."

Super Boy sporting his fresh new hair-do!

Twick or Tweat!

Joshua loved being a St. Bernard a few weeks ago at our downtown Pumpkin-paloosa. He especially enjoyed the "football" under his chin. And let's face it, he is over the top cute!

Then last week he came home from school asking to be a "carrot"for Halloween. He maintained that no one suggested he be a carrot only that he needed a carrot costume. Those of you who know me know that I am not a mom who makes things. But in the spirit of creativity, I "made" a carrot costume out of fleece, Wednesday night. Thursday, Dave and I looked forward to taking Joshua trick or treating on campus as a carrot. But alas the carrot costume was rejected-sight unseen-and Joshua the Dog went to campus.

Joshua played the "I'm scared" card numerous times on campus and surveyed each sorority house from a nearby lamp post before mustering the courage to allow Dave to hold him and walk him to the door for candy. Maybe St. Bernards aren't known for their bravery.

Monday morning came around and Joshua got to wear a costume to school. With high hopes that my carrot creation would be chosen as the costume to show off to his friends, he again chose the dog. No hard feeling.

Monday night and trick or treat time rolls around. Joshua finally puts the carrot costume on. He and I both quickly realize just how bad the costume is and he looks up at me and says, "Mama, I want to be a dog." To which I replied, "I would too, Joshua."

Joshua loves Diego so the pumpkin was certainly a hit.

Joshua ran around our yard most of the evening welcoming trick or treaters and wishing them "Happy Halloween." We enjoyed the beautiful night and had fun greeting our trick or treaters.