My favorite Jack (o-lantern)

Love that snaggled-toothed smile! For the past week we have been teasing Jackson that we were going to put a flashlight in his mouth, set him on the porch, and let him be our jack-o-lantern this Halloween!  :)  He has two more loose right now.

Raising our little 'Heels!

Last Saturday, we took the whole family to the Carolina v. Wake Forest game at Chapel Hill. We are blessed to have a man in our church that offers us tickets to games. What great seats! It was both Jackson and Hannah's first game... and it was frigid. I was a bit reluctant to take them. But, they really LOVED it! Jackson said it was the "best day ever!". I wish I had video of Jackson's dance moves as he tried hard to get on the big jumbo tron. Oh my - SO very funny. The Tarheels pulled out a big victory, so Hannah had plenty of opportunity to yell "Go Heels" and shake her pom poms.

The Fair!

Needless to say, we love the State Fair!  Mike and I both have fond memories from our childhood of the rides, animals, and fun.  Even better is sharing it with our kiddos!  Jackson especially loves the rides - the faster and scarier the better.  (Takes after his mom)

fist pumping... must have been fun!

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Jack rode this dropping ride all by himself.  And loved it.

He couldn't wait to ride this ride so that he could fly like a super hero!

Fall Festival

We look forward to this get-together at the Joyner farm with friends every year.  Mike was bummed to miss!  There was a hayride, pumpkin painting, face painting, a leaf craft, tons of running around in wide open spaces, and yummy BBQ and other foods.  It was warm and gorgeous day!

Dads and kids on the hayride.  Mr. Jason was great to help with Hannah.

Hannah really surprised me with the sack races.  She had a ball!

A great time with good friends.  Only wish we could see each other more often!

Fall Foliage + Cade's Cove + Time with Family = One Great Week

With Daddy gone on a 10 day mission trip to Amsterdam with a team from church, I decided it was time to pull in some reinforcements.  Jackson was tracked out, so we headed Tennessee to spend time with family there.  

Hannah's favorite thing to do is to "play makeup" with Mimi.  She carried around a makeup brush for days  In fact, she wanted to be beside Mimi the whole time.  I think she is drawn to Mimi's girly-ness!

On Tuesday we had a fun mini-reunion with a bunch of my relatives on my dad's side.  So fun to see everyone!  Hannah melted everyone by hugging and kissing every single person.

On Wednesday we decided to take the kids up to the Smokies for a picnic and drive around Cade's Cove - one of my favorite places in the world.  We were just short of seeing a couple of bears, according the the rangers.  We did see several deer (one with the largest rack of antlers I have seen!), tons of wild turkeys, and beautiful fall colors everywhere.  Jackson was able to really take in so much of the history this time.

At the Grist Mill in Cade's Cove.  The kids loved it - although their faces don't show it here!

At The Sinks waterfall

King of the Mountain

This picture just makes me laugh - Dad and I had just finished eating a cookie and Mom took this of us.  Same expression!

 We decided to hike up to Laurel Falls.  It was not easy...although it's a paved and "stroller accessible" trail - it was very slick, steep, and rugged for pushing Hannah.  All worth it due to the gorgeous overlooks and falls, though.  Jackson REALLY got into the hiking... makes me one happy mom!  I hope to take him hiking again really soon.

top half of Laurel Falls

The time flew by fast.  Thanks for hosting us (and spoiling us) Mimi and Granddaddy!  We love you!!

At the Pumpkin Patch

The fall decor is out. Chocolate chip pumpkin bread has been made. Pumpkin Spice Latte has been drunk (thanks, mom!). But, it's officially fall around in our house once a trip to the Pumpkin Patch has been made. Today was the perfect cool, sunny (and windy!!) day to pick our pumpkin.

holding the mini white pumpkins - my favorite!

Teeter-Totter fun