Halloween Party

So last night we had our annual Halloween party. It was a lot of fun. I forgot to take pictures, which is so not like me. We did our haunted hayride, it was fun,but some of the kids were not so scared. Next year we need to come up with something really scary to get them. Any ideas?

Pumpkin

We carved our pumpkin last night. It looks a bit strange, because we let each of the girls carve a piece. Ansley was left eye, Matti was the right, Melanie was the nose and Kayla was the mouth.

Kayla's Riding Lesson

So, Kayla had her 2nd riding lesson today. She is doing so great. She remembered everything she was taught the last time. She and her teacher played follow the leader. I think Kayla could stand to be a touch more firm with her horse, but overall we are very proud of her. Her teacher is the best, she could not be more patient and wonderful when working with Kayla.


I know it doesn't really look like it, but she is having a lot of fun. She is very serious at the lessons though.

I have no idea why she has this look on her face, she makes me laugh.The horse she uses is Luce, he is so sweet. She saved him an apple today from her lunch, so they are becoming fast friends. Best money I ever spent.

Rain

Well, it is raining again. I love the rain, but it does seem a little weird to have so much rain. In Georgia, for years, we have been in a drought. Last year many places did away with their fountains, and amusement parks didn't run some of their water rides, since there was just not enough water to go around. Over the last two months we have been under a flood watch or warning for about 20 days. That is a big change!
Don't get me wrong, I am glad our drought worries seem to be ending, but don't forget we still need to save water. The average adult in the U.S. uses about 80 gallons of water per day. That is a lot of water people.

I like to cook when it rains maybe because it is freezing in my house. Something about the smell of stew on the stove and bread in the oven, along with the sound of rain on the roof feels like home to me. I think I will go put something on now.

Zane's Birthday

This is Zane on his first birthday. We had not cut his hair then, because I think it is bad luck to cut a kids hair before their 1st birthday. Everywhere we went people would say "oh, what a pretty little girl". It did not matter what he was wearing. Drove Billy nuts.

This is Zane this year having some birthday cake.

I don't think he has changed to much. He is still just as cute as all get out.

He had a lot of fun.

He took his sweet time opening his gifts. He would open one and play with it for a few minutes, then move on to the next.

I think he liked everything he got.

We didn't really have theme this year but he got a bouncy horse and a cowboy hat and looked so cute.

I made this pumpkin bread yesterday it was very good, so I thought I would share.

Sift together in a large bowl:
3 1/2 cups All purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
3 tsp cinnamon
1tsp nutmeg
1 tsp salt

Set aside

Mix together:

3 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup softened margarine
2 eggs
1/2 cup apple butter or apple sauce
1 small can pumpkin

Add flour mixture slowly, alternating with 1/2 cup of water just until mixed.
Pour into 2 greased 9x5 loaf pans and bake in a preheated 350* oven for 60 to 70 minutes.

I topped it with a simple cream cheese icing, but it would be good plain or with whipped cream.

Let me know what you think.

Happy 2nd Birthday Zane! We love you!

Ty
Steven with my brother Marc


Adam and Shannon



Harley

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my brother Adam! He is my oldest little brother. He just got married in September, a wonderful woman Shannon. She brought with her my gorgeous niece Harley, my rotten but handsome nephew Steven, and has now given us little Ty, one of the cutest kids ever. I am so happy for all of us! It has been a great year for Adam even if he is turning 31.

This was the first day of school this year.

So, Kayla, Mattlyn, and Ansley all got their report cards. No failing grades! You have no idea how exciting this is. I am so proud.
Melanie hasn't gotten hers yet, for some reason her school is on a different time frame than the other schools.
Will is having a problem in math. Not sure what is going on with him, cause they don't come much smarter. He says it is because he "isn't good at multiplication". His teachers seem to think he plays around to much.
I told Will that even if he doesn't want to learn(not that that is OK with me), the other kids in the class do and he is stopping them. Now they will all be ditch diggers cause he wont let them learn. He just looked at me dumbfounded. Well, now that I think about it, his father looked at me the same way. Hmmm...it could run in the family.

This is me, Michelle, this summer at a family reunion. I am 25 and holding for the past 9 years. I live in Georgia, with the love of my life Billy.

This is him. Isn't he handsome. Together we have 6 kids.

This is Kayla (14) at a fishing contest this summer. She didn't win but had a wonderful time.

Mattlyn (13) is my helper. She loves to read.

Melanie(11) is the happiest child I have ever met. She is always singing and dancing. She makes me laugh.

This is Ansley(11) at honors day last year. She has been doing so well.

Will (9) loves monster trucks and his bike. He is fearless and will jump anything. He scares me to death sometimes.

This is our baby Zane(almost 2). He is everyone's heart and so is spoiled rotten.

So this is our family, the whole crazy bunch.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I love Halloween, and all things horror. Most of my kids are just getting into the fun of a good scare. Don't worry I am working on them.

This is everyone(except Will) last year. Left to right Kayla (belly dancer), Melanie (witch), Zane (monkey), Mattlyn (zoo keeper), and Ansley (vampire). Aren't they the cutest group of trick or treaters you have ever seen?