Tyler, Fall 2011

Littlest Ones

Pumpkin Virus 2011

I made the mistake of buying pumpkins too early this year for decoration and they rotted on me with all of this warm weather. Luckily, we were given a huge pumpkin yesterday at the Farmer's Market as part of our Shared Community Agriculture membership. I mentioned to the kids that we would carve it up today and have been reminded of my promise every 10 minutes.

When brainstorming carving designs, I made another mistake of mentioning to Tyler that a few years ago I made a pumpkin look like it was throwing up. And after that, there was no more discussing what we were going to create. The bat or cat sitting under a moon all of a sudden did not seem that enticing.

So we got started scooping out the seeds (guts). Carson refused to use his hands because of the feel. Tyler said it was too cold to touch. Ella just wanted to observe. So you can guess who was mainly in charge of preparing the soon to be victim of food poisoning.

After it was ready, Tyler had a blast packing the pumpkin's mouth full of extra seeds to achieve the sickest effect possible. He also was careful to make sure we still had room to put the candle at night. Apparently puking while all aglow is the ultimate achievement to a 6 year old.

And done! I was sad because I really had my heart on roasting the seeds tonight but maybe next year...after all, who has an appetite after seeing this anyway?

Happy Birthday Tommy!

Now officially in his mid 30's (according to him), Tommy is on top of the world. We love you very much- Happy Birthday T-Dog!

Soccer Season 2011

Just wrapped up playing Tyler's last soccer game this season (yes, I promised I would style his hair into a mohawk for the last game). He has a wonderful time playing and meeting new friends. Go Royal Blue Rapids!!!

Fall Break

Tommy had today off, Carson had today off- so we figured this was a close as we were going to get to a "Fall Break" and we pulled Tyler out of school to spend the day hiking in the Blue Ridge Parkway. It took a long time to hike to one of the top 10 highest points in the United States, especially with Ella riding on Tommy's back.

Since it has been raining the past few days, we soon discovered why the trail is called "WaterRock". It was literally where hikers used to go to get water because when it rains, the rocks turn into a mile long stream. Did this turn us away? Nope.

We landed at the top and it was well worth it- simple breathtaking. And after returning to the bottom we headed towards Maggie Valley for lunch. Tommy suggested we cap off the day by visiting Barber's Apple Orchard for a treat. No one objected and soon we were headed home eating apple caramel cookies, turnovers and cinnamon cider donuts.

We decided to let the kids skip nap on this very special day and just go to bed early- I am thinking 6:45pm...

Great fall afternoon spent with family on fall activities.

Second Annual Soup And Smore Party 2011!

My, how we have grown. We started off with such a modest group of friends and doubled our size and soup selection this year at our annual "Soup And Smore Party". The night was perfect, could not have asked for better weather.

Friends brought over the best soups! The selection: Roasted Red Pepper with Sausage, Potato, Tomato with Mint, Spicy Butternut Squash, Chili, Broccoli Cheese, Lentil and Ham, Gratin Savoyard, Creamed Butternut and Apple, Coconut Curry Butternut Squash, Garden Fresh Butternut, Queso Potato Chowder, Chilled Fruit with Champagne and Ginger...and I am probably missing a few. Incredible. And the bread! Most people brought homemade bread and chips and toppings.... Then we all went to the back yard for smores. We rented a bounce house and the kids all played inside of it most of the night.

I love this party. I look forward to it all year long. Good food with good friends and plenty of recipes to fix all fall!

October Visit With Grandma

Tommy's mom came for a weekend visit and I am not sure if we could have crammed more in. Friday we ate dinner at the house and went on a walk. Saturday was a soccer game, lunch out, looking around at a few stores and then we make a campfire and cooked cobbler on it that evening. This morning we all headed up the Blue Ridge Parkway for hiking and a picnic on Water Rock Knob. It was cold but georgous! We were all very sad to see Grandma have to go back to Nashville, especially Ella, someone got used to having a roomate.

Marsha brought Ella her birthday present- a wooden cabinet that she played with as a child filled with play food. Ella's Great-great Grandpa Haman made it.

A picture taken at the base before we started on the hike- notice the winter gear. It was 38 degrees on top of the mountain this morning.

If you notice the tree- half of it is covered in ice from where the sun is not hitting- we were showered with frost as we walked and it thawed.