The only feet I LOVE!

Those of you who have known me any length of time, have probably at some point have learned that I absolutely hate feet! Your feet, my feet, whatever... I don't like them! However, there is one pair of feet in this whole wide world that I love. They belong on an 8 year old girl who is the light of my life. There is a lot I would do for her that I would never do for anyone else. One of her favorite things is for me to tell her how dirty, stinky, or ugly her feet are. Of course, to me, they are the only beautiful feet that exist on earth! It's just amazing how motherhood makes you do things you'd never dream of before you gave your heart away.

The Beach 08

Leah loves to be thrownby Daddy in the pool. She doesn't go near as high and far as she once did!

One of the many many shells she collected.

What's a day at the beach without a few cartwheels????

Shell Sorting - serious stuff!!

Got her shell bag, and her key and she has to wait for the rest of us to get ready to go down!

Every year we try to take at least one trip to the beach. Our favorite time to go is the fall when few vacationers are there but the weather is still SO nice! This year we had decided that the trip to Japan was going to be our only vacation but as the time to go neared and my parents made plans - we couldn't resist! We had the greatest time. I decided to post some of my favorites.

EGGS Pumpkin Party

Some of my very favorite little people are my "EGGS" - (East Side's "Elementary Group Growing & Serving"). We say that Thomas is the "Egg-head" - I, of course, am "Mother Hen". We have so much fun with these guys. Kyle and Kellee planned their first event for this age group at the end of October. They did a great job! The big event took place here at our house. We painted pumpkins - Kyle decided knives wouldn't be the best route to go with this group! Then, bobbed for apples, got tattoos, had family pictures made, and of course we always eat! Joe snagged the swing when he got the chance! Brianne was the "Hero of the Day" for stopping Camden from going into the street! The pumpkins were rivals - we ended up with - Florida(Avery), Georgia(Leah), Alabama(Kyle), and Tennessee(Emma & Cody). The weather was perfect and everyone had a great time! We look forward to lots more fun with Kyle and Kellee in the years to come!

Blue Lightning

Leah is playing fall soccer for the 3rd year. We love watching her play - even if she's goofy out there sometimes! She's been known to turn a cartwheel or two, hug Easton, or sing while she's bored as goalie. Her team is Blue Lightning and they have improved tremendously over the season. Kyle and Kellee Gilpin joined us for a couple of games. If you've never watched sports with Kyle, you should try it sometime - very entertaining! It's been a fun season with great weather! Now, we'll wait for spring - when Thomas and I will be coaching again!

Blue Lightning - Leah, Leo, Tyler, Gracie, Sara, Drew, Cooper, Justin, and of course, Adrian.

"Karnival" @ the Kings

We are so blessed to have Easton & Ellis in our lives. Those King boys bring lots of laughter and fun to any setting! Recently, they celebrated their birthdays (Easton - #7, Ellis - #3) with a backyard carnival. If you have never seen their backyard - it is the best! So private and peaceful, with lots of fun things to do. I would have to say that day peaceful wouldn't have been the word - but we had loads of fun! There was a fishing pond, milk bottle toss, tug-of-war, a parachute, and finally a pinata and silly string!!! Jenny made an amazing carousel cake - that looked yummy, but of course I could taste it. But, being the wonderful friend she is - she had my own personal bag of candy ready for me! I used Jenny's new D40 most of the day. I will have to confiscate those pictures later - some of my favorite were on hers. Here are a few to start with...

I realized when I was posting how few I have of Easton! Really, this was Ellis's party - Easton had another earlier. I need to figure out how to do a slide show...

Little Chef

As most of you know, I homeschool Leah. We decided this year to add Home Economics. Fun stuff. Today's lesson was peeling carrots. She was sooo excited. She was so careful and no blood was shed. I even let her use a "real knife" to cut the ends off because she did so good. We showed the pictures to Thomas when he got home and he said"Woah - that's a sharp knife - that makes me nervous!" Whatever - he lets her use power tools! Notice what she was wearing - it's a black velvet dress w/ a satin sash. We get fancy for school! We made roasted chicken w/ vegetables - very yummy!

Okay - so I guess you upload images in the reverse order you want them to appear... Maybe I'll get the hang of it soon.

Getting Started

Hmmmm...... Am I ready to blog? I just don't know. I think maybe I will start... tomorrow.