Nuts about Nuts...

Not really, but here is the record of our homage paid annually to the precious peanut.

Each fall, Dothan, Alabama celebrates its claim to fame...PEANUTS. No, Charles Shultz was not born here- in fact he probably never even visited! Rather, our fair city is affectionately known as the Peanut Capitol of the World. I am not convinced that this is an accurate nickname, but nonetheless, we have a festival each fall (a county fair), complete with parade (though the parade is on the closing day of the festival here instead of on the opening day...I've never really understood that), and more pageant queens in every shape, size, color, creed, religion, class, flock, and herd imaginable!!!

We woke up early, loaded up the stroller and many snacks, and the kiddos and headed downtown. We enjoyed beautiful weather (we came home sunburned in November), plenty of peanuts (a cement truck dumps them out the chute as it drives down the parade route), and hours of festive pleasure! It was lots of fun...so much fun that we left before it was over...blame it on the two-year-old.

All Hallows Eve...

Scarecrows in the Garden

Our local botanical gardens hosts a garden walk every October featuring scarecrows built by local businesses, families, non-profit groups, etc. They are more than creative in their construction, and it is always amazing to see what people come up with! This year, we went to the gardens with our good friends, the Burkhardts. Their kids are the same age as Madelyn and Joshua (within weeks). Never a dull moment when you get our families together!



Oh, Alicia, I'm sorry, but I couldn't resist. Can you believe the Oompa Loompas!?

Puppy Love...

As many of you know...I am not an animal person. While we did have cats and dogs while I was growing up, they were strictly outdoor pets, and I didn't interact much with them.

I now have a dog and two cats...inside...

Why? Well, the logic is as follows: I have a daughter who doesn't just like animals, she LOVES them. And because I love my daughter (and my sons who love the animals, just not quite as much as said daughter), I have animals.

There you have it. That is why I have them.

Well, I also have a friend who LOVES animals (dogs mostly), and she often has puppies or a "momma dog" on the verge of having puppies in her foster-care. In September, Shelly called and said, "I think this momma is going to have these babies soon! Would Madelyn like to watch?" Parrish and I had a few days to talk it over, and decided that it would be fine, IF Madelyn wanted to, and IF the babies came at a decent hour.

Well, the stars aligned, and one evening in September, I drove Madelyn to Shelly's house to watch momma have her puppies. At first, she couldn't watch, but after she held that puppy (straight from its momma) she was over the messy stuff, and watched as two more were born. We didn't stay for all NINE...she had school the next day! But, it was amazing to watch her.

This child LOVES animals! And I love my daughter so I have animals for her to love...

New Adventures...

Right as school started, we moved Nana to greener pastures...in South Carolina. We thought, "Hey, she's so much closer!" But the 9-hour drive always seemed to take us 12-14, and the pastures weren't very green as it turned out. But we had some fun visits there.



I even spent a week there in October (sans children and hubby) which allowed time for precious conversations and fun times for just Alice and Me. We ate out, and over-ate out, caught a movie, stayed up late, and talked A LOT! It was so much fun!!! It reminded me of the year that Parrish and I were dating before we got married. He lived in SLC, and only came home on weekends (and not even EVERY weekend), so I spent more than a few evenings a week at Alice's house visiting with her, doing laundry, studying, you name it...Those were great times, and this was a great reminder of why I love my mother-in-law!

Unfortunately...or fortunately...Alice's South Carolina adventure didn't last long. Right before Christmas, we moved her next door; to Georgia. She has just begun her adventure there, and we are sure that there are great things in-store for her! One thing is for certain...we can make the trip in its "Google-map" alotted time, and we don't mind IKEA, oh, I mean Atlanta as a pit-stop along the way...

S.L.A.C.K.E.R. But not really- Just busy...

I am not going to make any excuses. I simply don't take the time to sit down and choose my photos and format my posts. Sorry. But when I get the bug...WATCH OUT!! And, well, I've had the bug, and I've been catching up! Enjoy!!

Dallin, how old are you?

I two! He will exclaim while proudly holding up his thumb and first finger! We can't believe he's already been a part of our family for two whole years!! He is just getting warmed up though- that's for sure! Dallin is our little spitfire... always loud, always running, always...well, you name it! He loves trucks, swords, chasing dogs and cats (and kissing them gently when we catch him), climbing bunkbeds, climbing through the window above the living room couch which happens to be above the kitchen sink, filling the pet's water dish with catfood, running fulltilt across the backyard, jumping as high as he can, chasing big brother, eating anything and everything that anybody is eating at anytime of day or night...seriously...he will try anything, watching moomies, drinking mik, snuggling his woowie, going to school...well, he just loves life in general!! We are grateful for him and the patience he is helping us learn. I even Googled "screaming toddler" today... yep. Parrish laughed at me, but I am seriously considering Super Nanny! But for now we'll try more prayer and consistency! We love you Dallin! Thank you for coming to our family!

So much enthusiasm for every present! We love it!!

Monkey boy...

Khaki, and Navy, and Collars...OH MY!

Well, we've done it...made the switch to uniforms that is. Last fall the measure was approved by the school board, and ever since then, we have been feverishly searching for good deals on uniform-approved clothing that might be slightly unique just because...you understand! Anyway, the kids look great and getting dressed in the morning is sooooooooooooo easy! There aren't many options to argue over! They do get to wear what they want on picture day, and on Fridays, our elementary has a Spirit T-shirt they are allowed to wear with uniform bottoms. So far, so good! And I'm even ironing! (Next year we won't buy as many pleats!)

Kindergarten Already...All Ready!

Joshua was sooooo ready for Kindergarten! He could hardly wait to be at the same school as Madelyn, to ride the bus with Madelyn, etc. I don't consider myself a picky person, but I did talk with the Principal to request a teacher for Joshua, and thankfully she listened! Unfortunately, Mrs. Forehand had a baby just before school started so he has a substitute for 6-8 weeks. I am confident that it will be worth it in the end! On the second day of school, I met the bus so I could get a picture, but was met with tears from Josh as he wanted to surprise me at home! He was really upset...but it didn't last long!

So far he is really enjoying himself. He can't wait to go to the library and check out "hard" books. He is able to read Madelyn's chapter books so I am anxious to see what they will do with him in kindergarten...where most of his class is still identifying site words...we'll see! He came home the third day and announced proudly that he had finished his worksheet quickly. I asked what he did while the other kids finished..."I just waited, Mom." *pause* "A long time." He is pretty patient, I just hope and pray that they get him going on the reading program so they don't lose him because he is bored. We're keeping a close eye on this one! Isn't he cute?!