November 2017

Not many pictures of this always busy month, but it was full, photo documented or not. We had a fun birthday celebration for Logan by having a S'mores night around our firepit with friends. Carli's and Milo's birthdays were the weekend after Thanksgiving, but we did our best to celebrate them. And as for Thanksgiving, we had a feast with friends, as usual!

October 2017

October started out so fun with visitors. Uncle Jason had a work conference in Atlanta and came down to stay with us for the night. It was so fun to see him, but his visit was way too short.

Janie worked hard to build this amazing castle at our public library. We always have a fun time on our frequent library trips.

Tad was my model for the Jack Skeleton hat I made for my first great-niece. What?! Yep, Shanna is going to be a grandma. Can't even believe it.

We love having the Sister Missionaries over for dinner! Hopefully they love the chaos...

We may not have much going on in the backyard yet, but we added a trampoline, which is plenty to occupy these four for a little while. They were very happy when it was put up.

I decided to attempt a DIY family photo shoot, so Carli was my test model. Isn't she beautiful in front of that sunlit cotton field?

Dad is determined to start a Sunday game day tradition. This pic is to document the good moments...

While Papa was visiting he endured the Georgia heat and sweat to clear out the overgrown corner of our property. What he left behind made for a boy's dream play area. Milo loves to get dirty in this little corner of the world. 

He also loves to wash it off in our big tub.

Family pictures!! I can't believe how well they turned out!

Probably our last attempt at a family Halloween theme. :p

September 2017

September we spent trying to get settled in still. Janie saved up her money and was very excited to finally buy the desk she's been dreaming about for a long time. So proud!

Dad took the kids for an afternoon to the botanical garden where they spent most of the time swinging together. Such cute kids.

Our nightly porch visitors. (Frogs) I sure wish they'd work a little harder or be a little hungrier. They did NOT keep up with the onslaught of "lovebugs" that came through though. Nothing like nature to bring on the questions about life and its origins...

We were baptized by fire a bit moving here in the middle of summer, and coincidentally, hurricane season. As if we weren't dealing with enough anxiety because of the move, becoming homeowners, starting a new job and going without a paycheck for two months, but Hurricane Irma decided to head our way. It was beyond nerve-wracking watching and waiting as the forecast changed throughout the week. Nothing like going to Walmart with completely empty shelves and waiting in line for 45 minutes with a bunch of other anxious people. Yikes! Luckily for us, she veered further west and we fared the storm just fine. Got to spend Sunday at home together and watch the wind and rain from inside our safe house. We are certainly blessed!

The best part of the month was when Grammie and Papa came to visit. Having such wonderful visitors finally made our house feel like home for many reasons. Not the least of which was Papa's tireless work on our much-needed home projects. He made us a workbench in the garage, fixed our drooping tv stand and cleared out the forested area in the back of our lot and made a wonderful sandbox/play area for the kids. Grammie spoiled the kids with so much love and we all had a downer of a week when they left. :(

We do live in a beautiful place and we are starting to see its perks more and more.

August 2017

First day of school for everyone but me and the boys. Exciting and nerve-wracking for everyone involved.

This little guy has become super attached to his blankie, and I think it's the cutest thing ever.

We thoroughly enjoyed the Peanut Festival in our new little town. It was hot, but so fun to be introduced to the new culture in which we now live, which includes everyone driving golf carts around the neighborhood... Not sure that will ever not be weird.

Fun at the parade.

Turned around and found this kid taking a break. He had a bit of a rough time getting used to the heat and the gnats. Not a big fan, for sure.

The kids participated in the annual tractor race. :)

Woke up to fog most mornings. Can't believe we live in a place that's constantly at dew point.

And no wonder it's always a soupy mess, I'm pretty sure that this is where the phrase "when it rains it pours" was coined.

May as well take advantage and take a shower in the rain coming off the roof. (No rain gutters!?!)