Thanksgiving 2013

We spent Thanksgiving at Mom's house this year and it was good to see everyone and to celebrate and be thankful together. We gathered with the Chris's family, Amie's kids: Olivia and Dave, Uncle Brian and Mom for a wonderful meal (really a couple of wonderful meals) and family time. It is always so good to be with family and I am so very thankful for them and that we are here in East Tennessee where we can be with them during the holidays. We shared turkey, ham, dressing, greenbean casserole, sweet potato casserole, salad, veggies, and more... Then the desserts... who can leave out the desserts, but really, who has room for them left in their tummies?! Thankful. So thankful.

Rachel's Birthday Survery 2013 -- 8 Years Old

Rachel @ 8 Years -- 20 Birthday Questions -- 2013

 1. What's your favorite color?  Pink

  2. What is your favorite toy?  American Girl Doll -- Rebecca (Just Like Me Doll)

  3. What is your favorite fruit? Watermelon

  4. What is your favorite TV show?  Sophia the First (Disney Princess)

  5. What is your favorite movie? Frozen (Latest Disney Princess Movie)

  6. What is your favorite thing to wear?  Skirts and Dresses

  7. What is your favorite animal? Dog

  8. What is your favorite song? Let It Go (Frozen)

  9. What is your favorite book? She's Everything by Brad Paisley

10. Who is your best friend?  Emma Ernsberger

11. What is your favorite snack? Cheese It's Grips

12. What is your favorite drink? Orange Soda

13. What is your favorite breakfast? Pancakes

14. What is your favorite lunch? Mac & Cheese & Chicken Nuggets

15. What is your favorite dinner? Cheesy Turkey Bow Tie Pasta

16. What is your favorite game?  Freeze Tag

17. What is your favorite thing to play outside? 'Adventuring'

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

19. What do you sleep with at night? Pink Blankey

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A Veterinarian

Happy 8th Birthday, Rachel!!

 Happy Birthday, Rachel!! We celebrated her birthday together as a family this year. She had actually opted not to have a party, in lieu of having her BFF, Emma, spend the night and go get manicures at a nail salon. Sadly, Kate was diagnosed with walking pneumonia the day before and she would be contagious until Sunday... which put a bit of a damper on Rachel's big day.  With the promise of doing the exact same things we had planned the next weekend, Rachel was really great about it and we made the best of her birthday. She woke up to her choice of breakfast - donuts! I had made her a two tier tie dyed cake and got her a big boquet of balloons. When Doug got home from work she got to open her gifts: American Girl Doll, Kit Kitteredge from Doug and I, a LEGO Friends Magician set from Noah and a Saige Paints the Sky book that Kate had picked out for her. She was thrilled. :) We had a late lunch at Olive Garden - her favorite and her pick. We went home so Daddy could go to bed (he had the mid shift that night) and we headed over to Mamaw's to share cake with her. I'd say over all, it wasn't a bad day at all... Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!! We love and adore you!

Tomorrow She'll Be 8...

I cannot believe our big girl is going to be 8 years old... She has grown up so much this past year. She is leaving behind the 'little girl' look and blooming into a beautiful young lady. Her interests are changing... She loves to listen to music- mostly Taylor Swift, but lots of other artists too. She loves to swim and is doing excellent on the year round swimming team here in Maryville: BLAST. She is excelling in school and is in the advanced math class. She still loves all things that sparkle and glitter... including playing make-over and putting on nail polish. She loves her American Girl dolls, although these are pretty much the only toys she still plays with... She likes to read, draw and make up songs... Her favorite color is still pink. Her best friend's name is Emma and they are swim buddies and just like peas and carrots. We love you so much, Sweet Girl. Keep on shining!

Beautiful Fall Moon --

 Remember that new lens I said Doug had gotten for me....? Yes... I love it. :)  I love the texture you can see.... I love the moon.

A Perfect Fall Day...

 These are some of my favorite pictures of our family... Doug had given me my Christmas present (early, yes... :) and I was capturing them ... and I love the results. Not just because of the new lens, although I'm sure it definitely helped, but everything just sort of seemed to fall into place. Perfect place, perfect time, perfect weather... perfect people. I love these people so much. The joy on their faces puts such awesome joy in my heart. Love.