Pumpkin Pickin'

Our church has Pumpkin Patch every year and they have some of the best pumpkins around this area in our opinion. Plus it is close by and the proceeds go to the Youth Ministry. So today was our day to go.

Thad in search of the perfect pumpkin to carve. (stay tuned to see how it turns out.)


Mary Riley getting a ride.



For some reason, Mary Riley loves the "warty" pumpkins!

Disney on Ice

MR was so excited that we got Disney on Ice tickets. She kept asking each morning, "I am going to Disney Ice today?". She also would tell us that she was going to see the princesses. I was hoping she was not going to be too disappointed since the attractions at our show were: CARS, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King and Tinkerbell.

She was not disappointed and had the best time!! The best part was when Ariel (aka Little Mermaid) was singing, MR does the best impersonation of Ariel singing, "Ahhh Ahhh", and holding her arms out. (I wish I could figure out how to post a video here of her doing this...it is priceless as she is so serious.)

Julie went us and had a great time as well. She introduced MR to cotton candy. I thought it might be a mistake being we went to the 7:30pm show on a Wednesday night and she was eating tons of cotton candy, but I thought I

should just relax about it.

MR and Julie posing before the show

The "free" flower hat that came with the $8 cotton candy

Everyone had to take a turn wearing it, even Thad (notice the Treo in his hand, yes he was working during Disney on Ice)

YUMMMMMM, Cotton Candy!

Mountain Getaway

We were so lucky to be able to get away to the North Georgia mountains this past weekend with my parents, sister and brother-in-law. We had the best time and the weather was absolutely gorgeous.

The cabin was right outside of Ellijay. thad lived in Ellijay for about year while we were dating with his sister Becky. So he was our "tour guide" for the weekend. His famous words were, "Right around this curve is the scenic overlook"...which was to be just five minutes up the road. Those five minutes turned in to 30 minutes. But it was fun.

Instead of going to Ellijay's famous Apple Festival, we just walked around the town square of Ellijay. It was great! Looking in the antique stores, drinking cider and eating apple dumplings (my favorite!). I even found a local lady that makes cute children's clothes and bows! What luck! :) (I can find these people anywhere!)

We rode up Fort Mountain to a scenic overlook and found some waterfalls and rocks to climb around. Thad and I used to go up this mountain all the time when we were dating. It was fun to go back and see how much it has changed.

MR asks to go back to the "mountain house" all the time now. Maybe a future investment??



MR and Grammy



From the Scenic Overlook



MR and Uncle Tommy

An explanation is needed

I have been told that I need to explain why I seem obsessive over MR's clothes. First of all, I am not! I just like to find unique and special clothing for her. For each event or occasion we go to, I like for her to be wearing something that is representative of that occasion. For example, our recent trip to the Aquarium. She wore her octopus shirt. I find clothing for her for most holidays, as I am sure all parents do!

I have my favorite brands, but will not bore you with a list. I will give you my new favorite place to shop for her.

Etsy www.etsy.com
Etsy is the GREATEST site! It is like eBay but for handmade items. Any handmade item can be listed on Etsy. The sellers I frequent have amazing work and can make most items custom for you. This is what I like! I can change pieces of clothing to fit our personalities. But the prices are exceptional!! I enjoy giving business to stay-at-home moms.

So I hope that helps explain my obsession a little. Feel free to ask questions and I will answer!

Swimming with the Fishies

We finally made a trip to the new Georgia Aquarium. Well it's new to us! I have to say it is fabulous! I would recommend it to anyone, just maybe go during the week. We went on a Sunday morning with our friends, the O'Neil's from North Carolina, and it was very crowded. Mary Riley is ready to go again! Here are some pictures from our day.

Tylon and MR were so good and really enjoyed it.

Fu Fu Fighting

When Mary Riley rides in my truck (which is 99% of the time), we listen to the kids channel on XM. It is one of the few radio channels that we can trust that will have safe music for kids. Her new favorite song is Kung Fu Fighting, or as she calls it Fu Fu Fighting. She especially loves teh part where you can do the karate kicks.

I am so glad this is her new favorite song. Her last favorite song was Little Bunny Fu-fu...which I hate! Talk about a violent song! And I had to sing it 500 times a day!

Field Trip

Mary Riley's class went on their first field trip! To Berry Patch Farms! They rode on a hayride, ran through a pumpkin patch, drank yummy apple cider and had tons and tons of fun. The kids were so great and excited!

More Beach Time

We are so fortunate that we have a great family like Becky and Matt that own a condo at the beach! WE enjoyed more time down there recently. Sarah Anne and Mary Riley had a blast and get along so well....as cousins should!

Elmo!!

The whole family went to see Sesame Street Live. It was really good. Amelia and Mary Riley had a blast and were soooo good!

Beautiful Princesses

Mary Riley LOVES dress-up and now she has taught Sarah Anne the drill.

Baby Ballerina

Mary Riley started a Baby Ballerina class. She really loved it at the start, but now she is not so sure. Stay tuned to see if we stick with it...

Best Friends

Mary Riley and Amelia are best friends and enjoy each other so much. (Just like their mothers hoped they would!)

Animal Farm

We visited a miniature animal farm as a reward for MR using the potty! She had a blast. Thad and I though wondered if the animals were actually minatures or just babies?

First Haircut

Mary Riley had her first haircut in August. A disaster of a time for her mother. Why did I go by myself?! Anyway, I was so flustered coming out of there, we were driving down the road, when MR suddenly shouted "Mama, you forgot to buckle me in!". I had "thrown" her in the carseat and forgot to buckle the harness! I stopped and said a little prayer, thanking God that nothing happened and buckled her in safely. Whew! Here are some pics after the dreaded event. She looks perfectly fine, right?

Container Garden

This summer we planted a container garden our patio. We planted tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapeno peppers and cayenne peppers. Can you tell Thad had salsa on the brain when making these selections? Mary Riley had a blast watching the tomatoes grow.

PS. Do not mind the red 4th of July headband MR is wearing. She has a thing about headbands and wears them all the time....inside our house.

Summer Happenings

Yes, I know this title reads summer, but it has been a very long time since I posted any new photos, so I thought I would start with a recap of our summer!! So hang on!

Fun at the beach with Aunt Becky & Sarah Anne

Cute babies!

Playdate with Amelia at her Nana's

Enjoying a turkey leg at the Renaissance Festival

Vacation Bible School at Grammy's Church

Cooking brownies

Happy 4th of July!

Playtime at DACKids

Big girl bed time!

"Cheesy" Riley