It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas...

I think each year Christmas comes earlier and earlier. Before you know it, there will be a bill going through Congress to move the Christmas date up. Some stores had Christmas decorations out for sale on the aisle next to the School Supply lists. Santa made his grand appearance at the mall last night. Madison's dance team performed for the event and then joined in the Santa parade through the mall. It was fun, and I will admit that the music did encourage my Christmas spirit hormones to begin stirring. HOWEVER... the jolly ole man used to stay at the North Pole until the last week of November. Craziness.

BTW...When is it too early to put up Christmas lights? I understand putting them up when the weather is warmer than usual... but for Pete's sake (whoever Pete is...) do NOT turn them on. I'd like to enjoy purchasing a Thanksgiving turkey before Christmas lights are turned on. I can remember vividly climbing up on the house with my dad to hang Christmas lights. But NEVER was it before Thanksgiving. I think that there is a law on the books that prohibits preThanksgiving Christmas lights. Maybe I'll spend my vacation researching that :-)




Merry Thanksgiving~~~

Lost Photo Op

The kids had a great time on Halloween night. We hosted our annual Trick or Treat Soup Gathering with family and friends. Madison HATES the ritual Taco Soup, so Nana rescued her from that fate, and brought her some plain old Chili. She was thrilled.

Madison's costume was designed and executed entirely by herself and her father. They worked for over an hour getting her to be the best Pippi Longstocking ever. I thought she was too cute.

Makenzie decided back in the summer that she was going to be a drama queen. We've teased her that everyday when she wakes up she is ready for that role. She too came up with her costume entirely by herself. However, she would take NO adult help at all. Stan had an "Oscar" trophy that we tried to get her to carry, but she wanted no part of it. She too was adorable just as she was.

Makenzie and BatGirl (Allyn Hensley)

Of course, life wouldn't be complete without our little ball of testosterone. Mason ONLY wanted to be a RED Power Ranger. Thank goodness for Wal-Mart costume buyers :-) His character came complete all the way down to the sound effects. "Ummph, I'm a POWER RANGER." And as he would say that, his arms would fold across his chest. Very lifelike!!!!

Now 10 years ago, I would've taken 100 pictures of my costumed children and paid $25.00 to have them developed. I then would've promptly scrapbooked them no later than Christmas break. Well.... as life goes..... I didn't take ANY pictures of the 3 of them together. That would be too easy. So I'll close with the only pics that I DO have. Happy FALL!!!!

Mason without the mask. He really didn't care for it that much!

Madison and Carter Tutt

Christmas Spirit

Typically we do not wear this makeup... but Madison danced this morning, and it has remained on her face. Her dance team did a great job. They did a Christmas dance today, which actually started me on the road toward Christmas Spirit..... Maybe I should get the Easter decorations put away...

The Inaugural Blog of a Hunting Widow

Well here is my first attempt at a blog. I have been inspired by reading the blog of a former co-worker who was also Madison's 2nd grade teacher. I am at home without a husband and can't find anything else to do (nevermind the 18 loads of laundry to put away or the Easter decorations that need to be boxed up to make way for Christmas decorating...)

Stan is away at his mom's house for one of his yearly deer hunting trips. This is just the weekend trip to scout for the real trip that is coming up in a few weeks. I have several friends who are hunting widows, so I know you all understand! It is really good for Stan to get away and be in the deer woods. I think it adds years back to his life. He comes home rejuvenated and rested. I just wish he'd leave his varmits where he shoots them. But then he'd expect me to leave my shoes at the mall after I purchase them. I understand!!!

I love the fall and everything about this time of the year. So I'll close with my top ten favorite things about Fall, my most FAVORITE fall picture ever, and my most favorite man doing his FAVORITE fall activity.

Top Ten Favorite Things About Fall

10. Pumpkins, Hay, and Yellow Mums

9. Halloween night when friends come over to trick or treat, and eat Taco Soup!

8. Thursday night TV!!!!! (Grey's Anatomy)

7. Razorback football games

6. Aromatique Cinnamon Cider Potpourri

5. Pumpkin Spice Yankee Candles

4. Light weight jackets

3. Scarecrows

2. Crock pot soups

1. Crisp, chilly fall mornings!

Last year's fall picture taken as a surprise for Daddy for Christmas.

Poor deer.... I hope his family doesn't read this blog.