This is our first in several years to buy a real tree. We made the switch to artificial a few years ago and never regretted it. However, this year my tree along with a few other items sit missing Christmas this year. They are in my parents garage in Houston. So we picked out a real tree this year. I love the smell, but I dislike the endless needles that fall on the floor and the constant water feedings. But we will make it work for this year and look forward to our “family tree” joining us next year.

Today, I am thankful for family. Thankful for in-laws that can survive in a house with us for 4 days. Thankful for their sacrifice to celebrate with us this year at our new home. Thankful for a mother-in-law who loves to cook and prepared almost every meal for 4 days for 10 people. Thankful for a friend who listens to me and takes wonderful pictures. Thankful for my family, though at a distance, who each connected with me today in their own way. Thankful for my girls who keep my smiling and make me proud. Thankful for my husband, who sticks up for me, comforts me, adores me no matter what. And I am thankful for my God who reminds me that nothing else matters but Him. And though these things don’t matter, He blesses me with them anyway because He loves me. More pics

Tonight we were invited to an evening of hay rides, hot dogs and marshmallow roasting at the Tap Root Farm. It is a beautiful piece of property in Franklin, and it was nice to just be outside with our family. Ethan roasted his face and some hot dogs for the family, we sat down and enjoyed a little picnic in the dark. It is pretty dark by 5:00 pm here. We ate and let the girls run around a bit and then looked at each other like it was time to go. I looked at the clock and it was only 5:37 pm. We both laughed. Then we ate marshmallows, enjoyed a hay ride, warmed by the fire, Megan ate rocks, and Alyssa avoided the dogs and sang and danced in circles. Overall a fun experience for us.

Flat Blakely, flat Jack, and flat Tate came to visit us last week. We were to take them somewhere fun in TN since they have not been to visit yet.

For a week they hung out in the kitchen with us, watching us eat bkfst, lunch and dinner.

They were tired of hanging on the door, so we taped them securely to the seats to head on our adventure.

We went to the park where they hung around on the equipment. The swings were a bit difficult, but they enjoyed the monkey bars and the slide.

We took Jack to a train car and let him climb aboard and even drive a bit.

And here is the view from his window. Pretty nice, isn’t it.

While we had fun with our flat cousins, it is time to fold them up and send them home. I promise to poke a few air holes for them. Thanks for the adventure Steve and Jen.

We had a blast tonight. The neighborhood is so much fun when it comes to stuff like this, and it was a great way to meet some new people. We were probably the first to head out for candy, but several followed right behind us. Megan loved to walk up and down the sidewalk, but had to be confined to the wagon eventually. I thought it would be so fun for her to be walking to trick or treat, but it was a hassle to follow her around. But everyone who saw us, loved the costumes. We were even know as the Oz family by the end of the night. Click to see more pics.

It is finally beginning to look and feel like fall… at least what I have heard “fall” is. We generally grab a light jacket when we are outside and the heater is actually on in the house. The trees have not been spectacular this year, but some are finally turning pretty colors. We visited a pumpkin patch with Amanda and Mallory and had a neighborhood chili cook-off and pumpkin carving party last weekend. Tonight we will trick or treat! I hope it is as much fun as I remember it being. We could have gone to a few trunk or treat type events, but we will do it the old fashioned way tonight! Check back for pics, they are sure to impress.

We have also had a house full of guests in the last 2 weeks. Ethan’s mom, then Kedra, then my mom. We had a great time and I loved the company. Yes, with Kedra’s kids it was twice as many kids, twice as many tantrums, twice as many meals, baths, etc… but it was awesome. Thanks for sacrificing your sanity to visit us. Who wants to come next??

Happy Halloween from Nashville.

I guess I should stop giving people a hard time for not updating their blog, since mine is 2 weeks old. In my defense, I have been sewing.

We also took a quick trip to West Virginia to visit Ethan’s grandparents. The girls did okay in the car, but 8 hours is pushing their limit…okay my limit. Ethan said I am worse than they are. I do much better when I drive. Being the passenger with two kids behind you is actually a lot of work. Grandpa has a farm that he acquired in the 60s or so. Aunt Sandy said she, Terry and Tim, planted a lot of the trees when they were kids, and then their dad took them out for a root beer. Oh, the days when getting a soda were a treat. Pretty cool to see how big the trees are now. There are some horses nearby that we fed. Alyssa did a great job until she got stung by the live wire keeping the horses in their pen. Needless to say, she was done after that. A related cousin in some way came over to visit with us and he and Alyssa played ALL DAY. I think she misses playing with kids her age. But the best thing about the farm is having a weinie roast. We get the fire going and roast hot dogs and make as many smores as you can tolerate. I think Ethan won.