A Special Weekend

This weekend brought with it a very special guest.  Our elf, Bob made his return.  
Lily Grace was beyond excited to wake Saturday morning and find Bob downstairs.  He had set a festive breakfast table and left us a large Gingerbread kit.  Bob had woven himself into our dining chandelier and Lily Grace thought it was hilarious.  According to her, 'Bob expertly wove himself in there."  
Bob didn't stop there.  He really dazzled up the kitchen sliders with bows everywhere.  We also found a wonderful story, The Sparkle Box.  It's a beautiful story about the true meaning of Christmas and serving Christ by serving others.  
Saturday not only marked the arrival of Bob, but also marked the end of the 6 week period Lily Grace had to wait to change out her earrings for the first time.  She was beyond excited.  Daddy and I surprised her by letting her open two boxes from under the tree.  Each contained a new pair of earrings.  She picked the butterflies and we changed them out.  
Bob even got in on the earring action Sunday morning when we woke to find him in our Christmas tree wearing a most colorful pair of earrings.  Too funny!  He also left something for Gracie that she's been looking forward to, her letter from Santa.  
What a special weekend with memories made.   These are the times I cherish.  

The smile says it all and absolutely melts my heart.

She was so worried about not being able to change out her earrings because she didn't have any.  She couldn't figure out why daddy and I weren't more concerned or understanding of this fact.   Little did she know that Matt and I were just as excited for her. We already had two new pair that we purchased shortly after she had her ears pierced.  

Her first pair of real earrings- butterflies 

We had several laughs decorating this house and several candy spills along the way.

Our colorful creation- complete with tons of icing

Now those are some colorful earrings

Letter from Santa

Thanksgiving down South

This year we boarded a flight and spent Thanksgiving with our families in Alabama and Florida.  We had lots of food and fun!
We are certainly Blessed!

Lily Grace enjoyed time with Honey learning to crochet.  She has decided that crocheting is much harder than she thought.  Honey makes it look so easy.  

 Jessica and Tanner hosted us for the first time in their new home. Everything looked great and the goodies were delicious.  

Matt grew out his vacation beard.  (AKA: I'm off work and don't have to bother with shaving.)  I must say, it started to grow on me and Gracie.  We all got a good laugh Sunday morning as he tried out a goatee and a mustache right before shaving it completely off.  

Lily Grace dug into a turkey leg.  Thanks so much to everyone for hosting us and working so hard to make everything so nice. 

While Bob elf hasn't officially made an appearance yet, he did leave Lily Grace a cozy welcome home gift upon our return to IN late Friday night.  

Halloween on the Prairie

With rain and snow falling, Laura Ingalls and Pa ventured out Trick -or- Treating.  

3rd Place Glitter Pumpkin

Lily Grace entered our local Fresh Market's pumpkin decorating contest.  Today she was awarded 3rd place for her pumpkin.  She won a $15 gift card for her age group and couldn't have been happier.  
She wasted no time making her first purchase, a red velvet cupcake.  
Congrats Gracie!

Turning in her decorated pumpkin last week- all glittered up

Today, with her $15 third place prize and one yummy red velvet cupcake

Ear Piercing Day! by LG

Today was a very exciting day! I got my ears pierced! I was supposed to get them done at 12 in the first place. I got to do this early because I had all A's on my report card. I took one of my friends, Emma and Daddy took off work to come. I chose daisies with a pink middle and crystal petals. I was a little nervous and very excited. When I got to the place, I felt like backing out, but I didn't. At the place, they had some comfy chairs that were a lot like ones you would find at a pool. When they took me into the room, I was super scared. The marker felt super sharp. Then it came to the piercing. I had the piercing done at the same time instead of one at a time. It HURT!!!!!! Why don't they numb your ears before piercing your ears? After piercing, we went to Biaggi's restaurant. My ears still stung for a while, but they felt much better by the time I got home. Emma and I played while Mama and Daddy hung pictures in their bedroom. Thats all for now! I'm off to enjoy my new pierced ears!!!

Me and Emma getting ready at the dermatologist office!

Yow!  Sharp marker!

Oh no! 

1,2,3 shoot!

Ouch!  That hurt!

At Biaggi's for lunch 

Yum! Ice cream makes everything better!

Close up of my first earrings

I don't even feel my earrings anymore!

A Wedding in Savannah

This past weekend, we flew down to Savannah, GA for a family wedding.  Our nephew Zachary married a very sweet girl named Aimee.  Lily Grace served as one of the flower girls.  Of course, she was thrilled and had a wonderful time doing so.  
We had a great time exploring a little of  Savannah and seeing family.  
We are so happy for Zachary and Aimee. They make a sweet couple and we wish them a long life of happiness.  Thank you both so much for inviting us to share in your special day.  We were honored.   
May God bless you and keep you today and always. 

On our way to Savannah-  Gracie in her fashion glasses, Matt just along for the ride as usual and me- well, who decides to cut their hair off on the morning they are leaving for a wedding?  Me I guess

We stayed at beautiful boutique hotel in the downtown historic district.  Honestly, it was like a little vacation staying there.  There was so much to see and do.  Not to mention, the annual jazz festival was going on across the street.  We ventured over for a bit one night and it was quite lively.

Lily Grace loved the ornate beds.

There were all forms of art throughout the hotel- paintings, ornate mirrors and frames, sculptures and even hats.  Lily Grace loved the hats, especially the pink frilly ones.

The violin sculptures really peaked Lily Grace's interest.  

Once down south and settled into our room, Lily Grace and I wasted no time digging  into some boiled peanuts.  Thank you for lugging peanuts from Florida for us Grandma and Grandpa.  

We strolled the riverfront on Friday and did a little shopping.

Aunt Debbie and Lily Grace did a little jewelry shopping.  Thank you Aunt Debbie for the clip on earrings and necklace.  You were a fun shopping buddy.  And yes, I realize there is a lot of pattern going on in that outfit.  Her Aunt Vel spoiled surprised her with some new scarves and some new fashion glasses.  :-)

We enjoyed a delicious breakfast and of course some good southern grits.  

A beautiful park on our way to Mass.  The moss filled trees just scream Savannah.  

We attended Mass on Saturday at the Cathedral.  It was absolutely amazing and the paintings were unbelievable.  

The pipe organ was located in the balcony at the back of the church and I would have given anything to have heard it played while we were there.

No shortage of parks and sculptures

Lily Grace and the bride, Aimee getting ready for the ceremony.  Aimee is such a sweet girl.  She looked beautiful.

Aimee and Zachary were married in this adorable little white chapel.  It was so charming and it's over 100 years old.  The inside pews even have the swing out locking panels at the end of each pew. 

Lily Grace and her cousin Mason, who also served as the best man.  These two together are a mess. 

The reception was held at Aimee's family owned winery  It was so very pretty and intimate 

The Wedding Party

Lily Grace and her cousin (the groom) Zachary.  We are so proud of and happy for him.  

Hello Fall

The weather is turning cool and the evenings are chilly.  Fall is certainly in the air here in Indiana.  While tomorrow is the first official day of Fall, Lily Grace has enjoyed a little mini Fall break with a four day weekend from school while the teachers have in-service.
On Friday she visited her daddy at the office for a snack break and sat behind the desk to "get a little work done."  She even keeps a folder there in one of his desk drawers. I can assure you that her daddy wouldn't have it any other way.   :-)  
Today, she enjoyed having her good friend Emma from school over for a playdate.  They didn't waste a minute of their day together.  They enjoyed crafting, baking, lunch, time outside and tons of  good ol' play.  Molly of course put herself right in the middle of it all.  
As for me, I've been spreading a little fall decor throughout the house and I got to have my girl home for two extra days. I couldn't be happier. The fall season is certainly off to a great start.