We're going on a nature walk...

One beautiful day in November, we drove over to Saluda Shoals park where we enjoyed a picnic lunch, playground and collecting leaves.

Avery playing on the playground...

I gave each of the kids a plastic bag to place their leaf findings in as we walked along.

Although we were a little behind the actual color blooming of leaves and many were already brown, we did find a few pretty colors and the kids had fun just looking.

Ryan coming down the path...

Eden enjoyed the action from her stroller - it's time to start walking baby!

Not the best shot, but then few are very good when more than one child is involved! The kids and I in front of the Saluda River.

Avery's 4th birthday

November 7th was Avery's 4th birthday. We generally let the kids choose where they want to go eat for their birthday and a family activity of the their choice. We don't hold big group birthday parties each year, instead we reserve those for "big" number birthdays like turning "1", "5", "10", and so on.

Avery decided she wanted to go eat at Schlotzsky's Deli (a girl after my own heart!) and then go over to Monkey Joes to play for the afternoon.

Eden had a blast at Monkey Joes playing in the toddler area. She loved the bouncy things!

The kids enjoyed ice cream before we headed on home to eat more ice cream!

I attempt to make many of our kids birthday cakes, especially for family birthdays. Obviously it is a lot cheaper and I like the fact that I can buy real toys for the cakes not the cheap stuff they put on bakery cakes. Anyway, my lovely (can you detect a bit of sarcasm there?) Strawberry Shortcake cake...

The birthday girl and her cake...

About to blow out the candles...make a wish!

After opening gifts, Avery was ready to try out her new pink scooter! Avery is already well aware that next year will be a "big number" birthday and she will get to have a party. She has already determined where that party will be held and is informing anyone that will listen that she will be soon turning "5"!

Halloween 2010

I know I am crazy behind on this blog but I am making it my goal today to attempt to catch up a little bit. I have still been taking lots of photos but in my effort to get everything done for the holidays as quickly as possible, I have been neglecting my blog.

So here goes...Let me take you back several months to October - right around Halloween.

Avery's preschool had their annual Halloween parade that Eden and I attended.


Avery decided this year that she wanted to dress up like Cinderella. I thought it was so cute that she and her friend Caden walked hand-in-hand during the parade.

Avery's preschool class lined up to watch the other kids parade through the halls.

After the parade, all of the children did a quick clothing change and got ready for their Halloween party. These are a couple of Avery's good friends...Pressley and Ella Kate.

It is now tradition in our family to have an early dinner in the formal dining room before we head out for trick-or-treating.

I try to plan out fun Halloween meals that the kids will enjoy but will also provide a little bit of decent nourishment before eating lots of sugar. They dined on mummy pita pizzas...

...caramel apples (they ended up peeling the caramel off of the apples!)...

...string cheese witch's fingers...

...and carrot and black olive eye balls.

Of course then it was time to change into costumes and do a quick photo shoot before I let them go. Ryan was a ninja zombie this year.

Emma was a black cat...

Eden was pumpkin...
And of course, Avery as Cinderella...

And the group shot before they went on their candy rampage!