Trick Or Treat

Our town trick-or-treated tonight instead of tomorrow - don't know why. Savy didn't care whether Halloween is today or tomorrow...that girl would go trick-or-treating every day of the year if we'd let her. Halloween is Savannah's absolute favorite holiday.
Mimi bought Savy this cowgirl costume a few months ago, and she has been dying to wear it. Jon bought her the hat last time he was in Nashville, and I picked up the western boots at Target...ta-da.



Is that adorable or what?

Jon and Savy picked out Scarlett's costume.




Here's our traditional Halloween dinner - a 28 inch - yes, twenty eight inch - pizza. This sucker won't even fit through the door unless you do some maneuvering.






We started at our neighbor, Dan's, house. This is Scarlett's first ever trick-or-treat. She didn't quite get it...she threw her little bucket on the ground to free up her hands for the candy.



Savy led the way and was the first at every door. We only visited the houses on our short street, but I imagine Savy would visit every house in the neighborhood if I let her.






Back at home, Jon had a nice, warm fire waiting for us on the front sitting area. You can't really tell in these pics, but the torch flames are red and green...Jon's idea, and it looked really cool.


This is a great place to sit and hand out candy to the kiddos.



We had a cove party while we were handing out candy. We supplied the pizza, Byron grilled hotdogs and bratwurst, and Suzie supplied this awesome cake.



Jon and I had planned to make s'mores in our fire pit tonight, but we couldn't eat another bite. We'll just have to save the s'mores for tomorrow night.

Midsouth Corn Maze

What a day! Savy's preschool had Fall Fun Day this morning...I took a little break from work to go. It started with a hayride up to the "pumpkin patch" where the kids got to pick a pumpkin. Savy said she wanted to ride by herself (she is so independent!), so Jon, Scarlett and I just watched from a distance.






After picking the pumpkins, the hayride took them over to the pavillion for a picnic lunch.




Savy had her heart set on going to the corn maze at the agricenter this year. Since I was certain it would be super crowded Halloween weekend, tonight was our last chance to go. On Fridays and Saturdays the corn maze is "haunted", meaning there are actors in the maze to scare everyone. Savy said she wanted to do it on haunted night, but Jon and I were finally able to talk her out of it....good thing we did!



Savy and Jon at the entrance.


Here's Savannah just inside the entrance, and she's already freaked out a little bit. The camera's flash is pretty bright, but it is actually very dark inside the maze...there are no lights except at the little observation stand in the very middle. I'm glad Jon's i-phone has the flashlight feature!





I put Scarlett in the Ergo carrier and just wore her. We were in there for quite a while, and my back didn't hurt at all. Jenni, if you're reading, thanks again for telling me about this carrier - it's awesome!


There were "clues" stations...another reason I'm glad we had a light. If you know your corn trivia (and know the difference between right and left!), it's pretty easy to find the way out.




It took a lot of coaxing to get Savannah anywhere near this coffin. I'm sure on haunted nights there must be a vampire in there, but it was empty tonight.


Electric chair



We made it!!!!




I have to admit every time I think of the corn maze, I think of a stumble....and a lie....and a cover-up. Yes, you were the butt of many jokes tonight.

It was a great day, but I am exhausted. I think the corn maze will have to become a Halloween tradition now.

Girls Girls Girls

Our cove is FULL of girls. There were eight girls today...Abby and Zoe, Savannah and Scarlett, Avonlea and Violet, and Suzie's two nieces. No wonder the little boys who live farther down the street hardly ever venture down here!




I was a little surprised Savannah had the energy to play after roughhousing all day with Lee Ottis. A & Z had their mustang and their four-wheeler out, and Savy added her Disney princess Jeep to the mix.








When they got tired of the cars, out came the wagon.


Then the slide

Scarlett was brave today...she took her first slide all by herself.



We had a great day! Savannah and Scarlett can't wait for Nanny and Lee Ottis to come back for another visit.

I Meant To Write This Post Yesterday...

...but Scarlett and Savannah kept me too busy. Yesterday was a very important day! It was the 9th anniversary of the day Jon and I first met at Proud Larry's in Oxford. So in honor of our "anniversary", I have something to say to my wonderful husband. I could type pages and pages of reasons I love him.......but I know all that mushy stuff just embarrasses him, so I'll try to control myself.


Dear Jon,

The day we met was one of the most important days of my life. I can't put into words how special you are to me. You laughed when someone once called you a "real-life Superman," but it's true. I've always thought of you as my own personal Superman. You are such a strong person in every way. I always feel safe when I'm with you. You're compassionate and patient. You're honest. You have a strong sense of right and wrong...you always do what's right without a second thought. You are just GOOD in every way. You are a wonderful father to our girls, and they adore you - I fervently hope, when they are grown and ready to start families of their own, that they each find someone as extraordinary as you to share their lives. You have given me everything I've ever wanted. I'm so very proud to be your wife, and I never want to be without you.




Now, let's see how many people get to read this before he gets embarrassed and makes me delete it!

Sorry it's been so long, but these girls are keeping me so busy! Scarlett is getting much more independent now and isn't content to just sit in my lap anymore...she's into EVERYTHING! To make matters even more interesting, she's started climbing - she's even more of a climber than Savannah was, if that's even possible. I caught both of them on top of their little table, getting toys off the top of the play kitchen last night.




They completely decimated the nice, clean play area in just a few minutes.

We were hanging out in Scarlett's room last night, and I got Savannah's old rocking chair out of the closet. Scarlett claimed it immediately.





She got up for a minute, and Savy decided to sit in it. Scarlett didn't like that one bit - she's getting very possessive of her toys now.



Dumped Savy right out of the chair.

Safari Park

Jon took today off, and we took the girls to the Tennessee Safari Park. It's in Alamo, TN - less than an hour away. When we got there, Savy, Scarlett, and I climbed in the back of the truck, and Jon played chauffeur.

Savannah had a blast feeding all the animals. Scarlett was pretty interested too.













This ostrich bit Jon about six times and tried to steal his watch.





We were all a little intimidated by this guy...he was huge! Savy was afraid he would bite her, so I fed him.



This was right after he tried (and nearly succeeded) to steal the whole food bucket right out of my hands.


He also decided to use the truck as a scratching post - the whole truck shook when he leaned against it.


After the driving trail, we went to the "gift shop" area. This is where we met Jerry the giraffe. He waited patiently while Jon purchased carrots.





I had no idea giraffes had such long tongues. He'd stick his tongue way out and wrap it around the carrot, then he'd pull it back into his mouth.









This baby monkey (see him in front of Mommy and Daddy) was so cute. He bounced all over the place, showing off for us.


Spider monkey









Savannah really enjoyed the park...I think Jerry the giraffe was everyone's favorite.