Flat Blakely, flat Jack, and flat Tate came to visit us last week. We were to take them somewhere fun in TN since they have not been to visit yet.

For a week they hung out in the kitchen with us, watching us eat bkfst, lunch and dinner.

They were tired of hanging on the door, so we taped them securely to the seats to head on our adventure.

We went to the park where they hung around on the equipment. The swings were a bit difficult, but they enjoyed the monkey bars and the slide.

We took Jack to a train car and let him climb aboard and even drive a bit.

And here is the view from his window. Pretty nice, isn’t it.

While we had fun with our flat cousins, it is time to fold them up and send them home. I promise to poke a few air holes for them. Thanks for the adventure Steve and Jen.

We had a blast tonight. The neighborhood is so much fun when it comes to stuff like this, and it was a great way to meet some new people. We were probably the first to head out for candy, but several followed right behind us. Megan loved to walk up and down the sidewalk, but had to be confined to the wagon eventually. I thought it would be so fun for her to be walking to trick or treat, but it was a hassle to follow her around. But everyone who saw us, loved the costumes. We were even know as the Oz family by the end of the night. Click to see more pics.

It is finally beginning to look and feel like fall… at least what I have heard “fall” is. We generally grab a light jacket when we are outside and the heater is actually on in the house. The trees have not been spectacular this year, but some are finally turning pretty colors. We visited a pumpkin patch with Amanda and Mallory and had a neighborhood chili cook-off and pumpkin carving party last weekend. Tonight we will trick or treat! I hope it is as much fun as I remember it being. We could have gone to a few trunk or treat type events, but we will do it the old fashioned way tonight! Check back for pics, they are sure to impress.

We have also had a house full of guests in the last 2 weeks. Ethan’s mom, then Kedra, then my mom. We had a great time and I loved the company. Yes, with Kedra’s kids it was twice as many kids, twice as many tantrums, twice as many meals, baths, etc… but it was awesome. Thanks for sacrificing your sanity to visit us. Who wants to come next??

Happy Halloween from Nashville.

I guess I should stop giving people a hard time for not updating their blog, since mine is 2 weeks old. In my defense, I have been sewing.

We also took a quick trip to West Virginia to visit Ethan’s grandparents. The girls did okay in the car, but 8 hours is pushing their limit…okay my limit. Ethan said I am worse than they are. I do much better when I drive. Being the passenger with two kids behind you is actually a lot of work. Grandpa has a farm that he acquired in the 60s or so. Aunt Sandy said she, Terry and Tim, planted a lot of the trees when they were kids, and then their dad took them out for a root beer. Oh, the days when getting a soda were a treat. Pretty cool to see how big the trees are now. There are some horses nearby that we fed. Alyssa did a great job until she got stung by the live wire keeping the horses in their pen. Needless to say, she was done after that. A related cousin in some way came over to visit with us and he and Alyssa played ALL DAY. I think she misses playing with kids her age. But the best thing about the farm is having a weinie roast. We get the fire going and roast hot dogs and make as many smores as you can tolerate. I think Ethan won.

I am still taking pictures, but somehow they don’t make it to the blog. I have uploaded some new ones to the gallery. Everything from bike riding to spaghetti. Enjoy.

With no swimming pool around, we had to enjoy a whole new kind of fun. Believe it or not, this was a first for Alyssa. She was a bit timid at first, but a few practice runs with mommy and she got the hang of it quick. Oh – and the thing I am sitting on is a horse shoe pit. Can’t wait to use that in our horse shoe competitions.

Megan has been winning at hide-n-go-seek lately.

And this is her newest trick.

Those words really do not do justice to my feelings about my mom and dad moving us to our new home. My dad did everything from painting, to ceiling fans, the fort, installing baby gates, to even watering the grass until our sprinklers are set up. My mom did things like help with the girls, go to the store, cook dinner, point out why the ceiling fans weren’t working, unloading and organizing the kitchen items, and play as much as the girls would allow. I know that many people would have gone with us and helped us move in had we asked. And I wish we could have shared this experience with others too, but there is just something about a girl’s mom helping her get her house in order. It meant so much to me to have the two of them here with us and I know the good-bye may have been harder, but it was worth it. Thank you mom and dad, for loving us, supporting us and taking care of us when we need it. I love you.

Moving Day

One last playtime

First bike ride

Oh! And it is just as hot here too.

Baby gates installed. Check.

A few of our good-byes

We have had a most of our final good-byes. Though I always heard it is not good-bye with friends but just “see you later.” We have been showered with love and tears over the last few days. While I don’t like good-byes, sometimes you never know what you mean to someone until you see them tear up with that last hug. Thank you to all my dear friends who have loved me, supported me, grieved with me and rejoiced with me. I will miss each of you.

I will offically be offline Tuesday and will reconnect from Spring Hill, TN.

Alyssa and I went to Abilene for the weekend. I thought it would be fun for us to do it alone and give her and Blakely some good girl time. Some good roadtrip pics of us together would have been nice, but I just got some of the kids. Plus a photo of Alyssa in the back staring at the DVD isn’t that exciting. They had a good weekend together – trampoline-ing, digging in the dirt, princess playing (whatever that is), shopping and every breakfast, lunch, snack, rest time and dinner for 2 days. My girls are so lucky to have cousins that they know and love. I hope that they will always be this connected.