Aullwood Farm

Last weekend when it was in the 60's outside and beautiful, we decided to enjoy the day outdoors at Aullwood Farm. We had so much much fun doing crafts, hiking, seeing the animals at the farm, and candle dipping!

We got a very informative and interesting lecture on honey bees before we dipped our beeswax candles!

The girls dipped three candles each and loved every second of it! And, Claire even got the best candle of the day award!

This is now one of my favorite pictures! LOVE it!!

Daddy & Anna on our hike!

Craft time!

Grammy helping Anna make an ornament!

Operation Christmas Child

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is making our shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. The girls had fun picking out toys, candy and toiletries for kids that wouldn't normally get Christmas gifts. It's not too late to help out Samaritan's Purse with a donation to help with the costs involved in shipping these boxes oversees or you can 'build a box' online and send it to a child in need. I really feel like it is a small, but powerful way to show God's love during the holiday season. Take a second to look at the website and consider helping!

The girls were so excited to take their shoebox up!

Grand Illumination

Grammy and Papa took the girls Downtown for the Grand Illumination and parade! We're really getting in the Christmas spirit around here!!!!

Santa on the pretty float!

The girls in front of the big Christmas tree!

Watching the parade!

They even got to go on some rides!

Air Force Museum

Ben and Papa took the girls to the Air Force Museum over the Thanksgiving weekend. It's kind of a tradition they started a couple years back. The girls really enjoy it and they even got to see an IMAX movie this year!

O Christmas Tree

The day after Thanksgiving, the girls and I put up our Christmas decorations! The girls had so much fun putting ornaments on the tree, especially the ones that they've made or their special ornaments that we've collected over the years. Such a fun and festive time of year!

My little helpers! 

Thanksgiving '11

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday spent with those we love most in the world! We are so thankful for our families and having them close by to celebrate holidays with. Once again, our parents provided a delicious feast for us! We really do appreciate all the hard work and money that goes into feeding our family. We truly feel blessed in so many ways!

Thankful!

We hope you all had a beautiful Thanksgiving holiday!

Dress Up Time!

I hit the jackpot at Target and got 90% off Halloween costumes. The girls have been having a BLAST with all their new dress up clothes and accessories (wigs, wands, hats, wings, and the list goes on!). Unfortunately for Sophie, nobody is exempt from the dress up extravaganza going on in our house. Thankfully, we have a very patient and lazy dog that chooses sleep over biting!

I especially like the pink Littmann stethoscope around Soph's neck! That's Dr. Sophie to you!

Our neighbor dog, Belle, was confused and curious when the girls had their wigs on!

Family Photos

Some family photos from our time in Gatlinburg!

The whole McDowell gang!

The McDowell grandchildren or the "Great Eight"!

McDowell Family Getaway

We had a long weekend with the McDowell family in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We rented a large cabin with an indoor pool, arcade, and theatre. It was a fun trip and we hope to make it an annual getaway!

Fun times with family!

Beggars Night

The girls had fun (of course) going out dressed up in their sunflower fairy costumes and begging for candy!

Cute sunflower fairies all ready to go!

"Trick-or-Treat!"

The last house we stopped at was at Grammy & Papa's!

All three of our girls were VERY interested in all the candy!

They were putting on a performance after bath time! Such a fun evening!