Happy Fall and Almost Christmas!
These pictures are from our Christmas card photo shoot that we did at
the Hooper's Lake House on Lake Toxaway. I showed a few on the last post too.
Meg Hooper acted as our trusty photog.
None of these are the one we chose, but they are still fun to see
I loved the girls outfits. My little paper dolls.
A month later the girls and I went to Dallas at the end of October. We had a blast, we did everything we could think of: Arboretum, hung out with one of my nearest and dearest, Taylor Brookhart and her son Haynes, playground, shopping, more shopping, visiting my grandmother in Halloween costumes, tea parties, toy stores, and then we wrapped up a fabulous weekend with BOTH the girls getting the stomach virus. Still a great trip and refreshing to see my parents, grandmother, and Taylor!
Arboretum petting zoo
Cinderella's carriage with their Prince Pop
Bobbi Brown Make up Counter
Special time with Susu and Pop
Tea Party in dress up clothes
Visiting the exercise class in Halloween costumes where my grandmother lives.
Hugs and curtseys all around
Visiting Memaw. Fancy Nancy and her French Poodle Frenchy.
We made it back to NC and back to healthy, just in time for Halloween! We live in a neighborhood with a lot of mature adults and few kiddos, so trick or treating was sparse, but still really fun. It was really cold so I was thankful for just a few stops!
Then Ray had a birthday! Number 31! He and I had dinner at a restaurant called Top of the Hill.
Then the next night, on his actual birthday, the girls and I took him to get pizza and then Tiramisu cupcakes and presents at home
Thanksgiving followed soon after and we hosted two of Ray's co-workers from UNC.
It was nice to have a low pressure situation for our first hosted Thanksgiving!
But we did it! Every course.
Ada helped me make Memaw's famous dressing. Hamilton was sure we were going to drop it all and let him eat it.
Mini pumpkin pies. We also had a Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie: YUM!
A lot of planning.
The girls' Aunt Sara sent these fun Turkeys that Ada put together for place cards at the kids table
She also helped me with the mantle decor
The Turkey prep started at 5:30 am.... whew!
Kids table!
Thanks to pinterest, I made little coloring books and pilgrim hats for the girls
Ada with her Daddy. She's really growing up!!
Mary Win was never still enough to catch a picture with her, except for one....
Oh sweet Mary Win.
They did look cute though. Brown and white houndstooth from H&M
The finished product! We were very proud.
Our happy little table, full of food.
Let's eat!
After lunch nap for everyone
A lot to be thankful for this year!!
Almost immediately after Thanksgiving, Ray's parents came to town and SURPRISED the girls! It was so much fun; I almost spoiled the surprise so many times because I was so excited for them (and me!)
We were too busy having fun (and I was too busy getting Christmas shopping done) that we didn't get many pictures, but I did get a few:
Ada and Mary Win thought we were going to pick up Ray's college friend at the airport; much more exciting to see grandparents wearing Santa hats!
Saturday lunch at Time Out. As seen on "Man vs. Food" and any UNC student's credit card bill at 3am on a Friday night!
The fire department is literally around the corner from our house and they were cleaning the ladder truck on our way home from lunch, so Ada and Piggee got out to check it out. The "Fire Girl" (as Ada calls her; like a super hero) told us we could come over whenever we want and she could get on the trucks and tour the fire house. Big news to a 4 year old! (and a homeschooling mother!)
We have had a big Fall....
And now we are ready for Christmas!!
I know she doesn't look excited but she has made about 10 drafts of letters to Santa. This was number one. Translation: Dear Santa Claus, A fairy costume for Christmas.
Her latest wants: Jessie doll from Toy Story, a guitar, and a fairy costume. Hope Santa pulls through!
