November 2024

 Homecoming isn't usually in November, but we don't usually miss two weeks of school because of hurricanes. The girls' friend Annie came and helped Carli and Janie get ready for the game. No, it's not a dance. Around here we dress up to go to the football game. So strange to me... But, they looked beautiful nonetheless!

Family picture time! This one we took to celebrate Cousin Caleb's 1 year mark with the camel.

Logan's 7th annual birthday celebration!

Janie's volleyball team came in first place! I loved watching her improve in skill and confidence. Her team really came together because of her positive, friendly and outgoing attitude.

I got to get away from my classroom for a little bit to visit the boys at school for Thanksgiving lunch. (I forgot to get a picture with Tad.)

Janie has really enjoyed art class the last couple of years and made this beautiful collage owl. (Barn, not Snowy...)

We started the year with a goal to run a 5K. Janie completed her goal in February with the Chocolate Run, but we weren't able to compete in that one and our training fell off until the fall. I was determined to check that one off my list, so Logan, Milo and I trained for four weeks to be ready for the Turkey Trot. Milo really worked on bringing his time down for a mile run, only to be disappointed that the "Fun Run" was only a race around the block. He did great and kept a good attitude. Logan reached his goal of running it in under 30 minutes and I came in 3 minutes later. The fun part was finding out we both received 3rd place in our age/gender categories. Twinning!

How did 17 get here SO fast?! She is so beautiful and has every good attribute you could think of. We are so grateful for her part in our family. She keeps us laughing, is responsible and good-natured. She has happily taken her place as the 3rd driver in the family and drives herself and everyone else where they need to go. She took her SAT and blew it out of the park. She is the friend everyone knows they are beyond blessed to have. She hasn't quite figured out just how thoroughly good she is in every way, but I know it and I think I'll convince her someday.

11 is a big milestone for Milo because he is VERY excited to move into the Young Mens program in January, start passing the Sacrament and attending the temple. He really wanted me to make a Book of Mormon or temple cake, but I keep trying to convince him that cake decorating isn't really my thing. Milo is wise beyond his years and smart beyond his grade level. He is a good friend and brother and thankfully still loves a good snuggle from his parents. His dad is his favorite sounding board. We sure love this kid!

Our traditional Christmas shopping trip to Tanger Outlets. Ironically, we spent a lot of time sitting on a bench ordering sibling gifts online. No photo evidence of it, but we had a wonderful Thanksgiving with our friends and our traditional pie night and volleyball at the church with several ward families.

Grammie helped set up a time for us to meet her good friends from their mission who were in our neck of the woods for Thanksgiving. It was fun to meet them and I know it meant a lot to Lori.

We were so excited to finally have a good lemon harvest this year! Usually we have a late freeze that keeps us from having any fruit, but this year we are enjoying plenty of lemonade, lemon curd, lemon bread and lemon bars!

October 2024

If you're going to live in a place with severe weather that can shut down schools for a week at a time, you can at least enjoy the beaches in October. We often feel incredibly blessed with the jobs Logan and I have that allow us to spend so much time together as a family, especially that our schedules make us available when the kids are out of school.

General Conference weekend is wonderful and always made a little sweeter with our traditional cinnamon rolls.

Another FCCLA trip. This semester has made our FCCLA activities and trips a little strange because of the missed school.

Milo's namesake, Hurricane Milton, didn't come so far north, which we were very grateful for.

Tad played the role of the principal in his 3rd grade musical, "Goal". He makes a pretty great looking French soccer player!

More weird natural phenomena - the Northern Lights were visible all the way down here!

It was so fun to see Carli play Counselor Carl and The Backseat Killer in the "Are We Scared Yet" play. She had a great time and did such a good job. I think it may not be the last time we see her on the stage.

You know you live in South Georgia when you get back from a drive and your grill is covered with peanuts. The semi truck in front of us didn't have a cover over the top of its haul and it felt like it was snowing peanuts.

It seemed a little strange to have fall break after so much time off school already, but who complains about more breaks? We went out to eat, spent time at the library and visited Dad at work.

Something about this collection of books just seemed like everything was right with the world.

Gerber daisies are still my favorite.

I took off early one morning to spend some time in the temple during the break. And I came home bearing gifts from the Mennonite bakery on the way home.

Two hours spent waiting on car maintenance goes by quickly (kinda...) with a bunch of bookworms.

We love the county fair every year! Logan entered a few items and came home with several ribbons and cash prizes.

We hosted a youth breakfast during the break.

Lemons are growing. The tree was so heavy with them we had to build a support.

The gift basket for the FCCLA Family Meals Month giveaway.

Elder Rasband came to our area, spoke to the youth and gave training to the leaders, as well as presided over a special stake conference for our stake. So we headed up to South Carolina to attend the meetings. We visited the Angel Tree on the way home.

We got back just in time for Carli to head out to the first Halloween party of the season.

Janie had a blast playing volleyball with her rec team this fall. She is working hard to be able to make the high school team next year. She was the manager this year and it has sparked her love for the sport.

I asked a guest speaker from the Georgia Southern costume department to present to my 8th graders on Halloween this year. We had a great time with her.

Logan couldn't live without making a Halloween themed food this year, so here are his pumpkin shaped rolls. He also kept up his tradition of making balloon animals for all the kids who came trick or treating. We came up with a great system to help prepare before the crowds came along. He really enjoys putting a smile on these kids' faces.