Wings

Bless her heart, she really wants to fly like a fairy...and breath and swim underwater like a mermaid.

She told me the other day she was ready to go to heaven so she can ask God for wings and a mermaid tail.

While at the cottage last week, Allie decided she would be SUPER ALLIE and give it her best earthly attempt to fly.



Attempt #1 - swingset assist.



Attempt #2 - jumping off the tractor

Keep trying sweetheart. I feel strongly though, that one day, you will get those wings. And I hope to be flying beside you.

Pumpkin carvings

I'm not a fan of this blogboard. But, I feel like I need to post it since I messed with it. The pics are all stretched beyond recognition in my opinion. The middle pic is all blurry, but couldnt figure out how to remove it from the blogboard. It is what it is...

Anyway, these are our two pumpkins. Allie designed her happy faced pumpkin. Gabe got the quick and sloppy - hurry up and get the 2nd pumpkin over with so the kids can eat dinner, carving. (Reminds me of you Pop, roll that gospel chariot along.)

Also, want to give a shot out to my mom who had surgery today. Hang in there Mamasita! Hope you are back and at it soon. Love you!

ramblings...

If you ask the kids what their favorite part of their trip to the cottage was...the tractor (riding lawn mower) would be in the equation.

Allie preferred riding in the cart being pulled by the tractor, while Gabe was more intereseted in driving the tractor.

For the record....it took the kids and I 12 hours to get to PA last week.

I'm not complaining about that, really I'm not! The kids did great considering they were strapped in a 5 point harness (Gabe anyway) for half a day....but, it was a long day of travelling. We eventually made it and had a heck of a time!

I have a ton of pics to go through and share with you. I feel like I made up for lost time with my camera last week. I'm just unsure of when I will get around to editting. This week is CRAAAAAAAZYYYYYY! - driving back to hickory on Wed. to close on our house, band practice for Sunday's service Wed. night, open house Thurs., newborn pics Fri., going away party Fri.,Sat. packing prep, etc...then next week is the big move. (sniff....and YAY!)

Stay tuned for updates....at some point....

And the award goes to....

2 consecutive days of posting. I should win an award!

S went fly fishing this morning...too cold for my southern blood, so I stayed behind.

Grammy drove to Pittsburgh airport to pick up Pappy.

Gabe napped.

Sooooo...Allie and I headed outdoors in the chilly weather to play for a bit. Turned out to be a minishoot. She cooperated, I had to take advantage of it. Alright Allie, if you insist!

And the last pic is of Allie's new do she has been sporting the past week. We both love it....win/win.

Western PA

Fall is in full swing here in western PA. I do LOVE the leaves boasting their beautiful fall shades of oranges, yellows and reds. Even though it took us 12 hours to get here (yes, I know! But we made it).....and besides the fact that I got pulled over, the drive through VA and W. VA was amazing - fall was in full bloom!

Actually, pretty sure fall was by-passed here in PA (at least we weren't here to see it) and winter has arrived. It is just outright cold! Hard to believe back home is enjoying 70 degree temps.

Cold enough where you can't feel your hands after being outside for periods of time. And the kids - they don't care about the outdoor temps.....they love playing in piles of leaves, and on the swingset, taking rides on the tractor, helping daddy cut wood for the fire, fish on the dock, etc.....

Below are a select few of the many photos snapped while we have been here. More to come soon...

Road Trip

Sooooo, if you were travelling solo with a 4 and 2 year old in the car for 10 hours......what would you do?

Any tricks?

Tips?

Must haves?

I think I've thought of everything I possibly can - DVD player, magna-doodle, mess free color book for Gabe, new Tinkerbell marker color book for Allie, dry erase book, skittles, chocolate, push pops, cooler, kid's blankets/stuffed animals, gumballs, bouncy balls, mathbox cars, etc...

It might not be pretty, and I miiiiight lose my mind, but I like a challenge. And we will get there...unless I blow 4 tires. Then I'll phone for help.

I'll let you know how it goes....

Heritage Park

We end our journey here in Greenville basically where we started. Heritage Park.

It was a short three years ago where we met our friends S and her little girl, E. I've told this story before...S picked me up at this park by asking who cuts my hair. We were both weeks new to the area with no friends.

I am thankful for you S, for your family, and our friendship. I will miss getting our families together and our park playdates!



The girls. Miss A and Miss E. Allie was only 1 1/2 when she first met E. Now look at her....a few short months from being 5!

Allie looks so sweet, doesn't she?

But wait.....what do we have here???



Completely oblivious Bethany moment.

Had no idea Allie was intentionally stepping on poor G's fingers when I was taking this picture. I made the discovery tonight as I was uploading photos. (Sorry little guy!)

weekend recap

Allie was very excited to be reunited with us on Friday. She came running up to me and gave me a big hug and lot of kisses. Little G even got a hug and a "heeeeey buuuuuuddy". Unfortunately, the novelty wore off quickly and the kids were bickering in the backseat on our trip home.
(A HUGE thanks to my parents for driving to Atlanta to return Allie. Bless their hearts....I only had to drive 1.5 hours to meet them. I love them...those parents of mine!)

So, my birthday was this weekend. It was a great one. I had girl's night out on Friday (Thanks girls. You all mean SO much to me). Then Saturday had some great family time going downtown to Fall for Greenville. Allie thought the entire festival was all for my birthday. We had friends over for chili and football watching Sat. night. I love spending time with my family and our wonderful friends here. It was a great birthday!

House news: The inspection went great. Minor things to be done. We are working through a few kinks....but nothing that should be a deal breaker on the house. Close date....Oct. 27. Bittersweet. But I'm ready.

Allie returning

G and I head to ATL to pick up Allie tomorrow morning. I hear she has been spoiled rotten by Pop and Maw-maw. I also hear she almost had those grandparents of hers talked into buying her a pet turtle! Good thing she comes home soon....but who knows what she will have in tow!



I have enjoyed my Gabe time. This is just what the both of us needed right now. He has been great (except for today at the Honda dealership when he swatted at me, and pointed his finger saying, "No Mommy". Did you know they had time out chairs at car dealerships?).

G has asked about Allie everyday...we are definitely looking forward to getting her back home! Stephen comes home tomorrow. Girls night out tomorrow night! Lots of fun things to look forward too!

Just G and I

In addition to our precious weekend time with Stephen, my parents were here this weekend.

They got to experience a little taste of G at his not so nice moments. We had a rough night last night with G. I stick to my claim that he is cutting his two year molars. My mom is not so convinced; at one point she mentioned a great read to me about tempers in children.

Allie went home with my parents for a few days. I will pick her up Friday morning at a halfway point.

I love me some Allie. But, I sure have enjoyed spending some one on one time with Gabe today. We had a great day with no fussing and lots of snuggling.