Something To Make You Smile

To explain all the background noise- we were watching a football game, baby Charlotte was crying, and we were playing that song because Peter had never heard it before.

Thanksgiving

This year was my first Thanksgiving as the cook.  And let me tell you, when you do the cookin', nothing tastes as good!!  I had an idea in my mind that everything would be perfect.  I steered towards a more modern menu, with pumpkin whoopie pies for dessert and casting aside things like creamed corn and sweet potatoes.  Well, the food got to the table but it wasn't what I had my mouth set on.  In my opinion, the best tasting thing was the gravy. 

Windows open and Christmas tree up- it was like 80 bajillion degrees on Thanksgiving!

Even though the food could have been better, Thanksgiving was perfect.  Peter, Emily, and Charlotte drove down from Michigan and stayed with us for a few days.  We had a great time!  Steven and I tried our best to convert them to the South (Nashville in particular) but I'm not sure if we succeeded.  The boys played flag football, we drove them to all our favorite places, and we did lots of catchin' up. 

 

Hamburgesas at Puckett's Grocery in Lepers Fork

Tippin Towards 50

Well, as my best friend Elena put it, "Now we're closer to 50 than we are to when we were born!"  At least I have a friend I can wallow with as the years go on. (Happy birthday TODAY, Elena dear!!  Looove you!!)

Just to be clear, I don't feel old, I know 26 is still young. 

But I am a planner, and am already cringing at the though of 29, 30...

My birthday was fantastic.  I had the morning to do whatever I wanted sans the little man.  It is amazing how much you can get done when you are alone!  I have to admit, it made me happy when Steven exclaimed how hard it is to get anything done with Lincoln around.  

Later in the day we went to Andrew Jackson's Nashville house, The Hermitage.  I really enjoyed it!  Before visiting, I had a kind of personal boycott of his home and museum because of his Native American policy (Indian Removal Act and Trail of Tears) as well as the fact that he was a slave holder.  While there, I learned some nice things about him, such as his service in the Revolutionary War as a 13-year-old!  Visiting made me want to go back to school and get another degree in history.  Because one useless degree isn't enough.  I guess I'll just keep reading...

 

That night we went to a 5 person birthday party.  Guacamole, candy, dancing... it was great.  The party had a Latin theme so when the name tags were going around, of course I picked Consuelo!  Nice and feminine, no?  That was my Spanish name in High School and Steven thinks its hilarious.  What was your Spanish name?  

Awkward, as usual. Plus looking like an emo kid with skinny jeans and a muffin top

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Big Girls Don't Cry When They're Running

But then again, Big Girls aren't as super fast as I am.  

 

Check it out- finished my half marathon in 34 seconds.  

Oh yes.

Ok.  So totally sarcastic.  I finished my marathon in just under 2 1/2 hours and I am proud of it.  Don't let my height and long legs deceive you.  I am a slow beast.  As you can see in the picture below, my running buddy/ sis-in-law, the lovely Merissa Haymore, is a bit shorter than me and quite a bit faster.  

Anyhoo, the race was great!  We dressed up in our 80's gear since the race was the day before Halloween.  I struggled around miles 3 and 4 but past that point I felt great.  My best friend/sweetheart/biggest fan cheered me on at 5 spots!  I felt like the luckiest person running.  

I kept up with Merissa until around mile 10.  We stopped there to hug our families and when we started going again, my left knee started hurting really badly.  I ran on it for about 1/2 a mile until it hurt so bad I decided to walk for a second to see if it was any better.  After walking and hurting for a while, I started to cry.  "Boo hoo!"  I cried, "all this preparation and I'm walking?!?"  Embarassing, but true.  I was so frustrated because cardio-wise, I felt like sprinting, but my knee was holding me back.

I decided to try and make my time goal anyway.  So for the last 2ish miles I sprint hobbled and lo-and-behold, I was only a few seconds behind Merissa!

 I am so happy to have done something I previously thought I would never do.  I AM NOT A RUNNER but maybe I'll become one :-)

Aww... just look at him.  Linc the little lawn gnome.  Happily gnoming about until...

Cue "eek eek eek" scary music

Lincoln didn't have a great start to his Halloween, he hated his hat, had nothing to do with his beard, and scoffed the whole party/celebration thing.

But he sure is cute.

The pictures above were taken at our ADORABLE playgroup Halloween Party.  There were princesses, ballerinas, belly dancers, 2 boxes of candy, a gnome, and the lone action hero.  We need a few more boys, obviously.  We had treats and the older kids did crafts.

All Hallow's Eve (anyone else think of Hocus Pocus when I wrote that?!?), we went to the Harline's house for dinner and a bonfire.  As usual, I ate too much and we had a great time. 

Pumpkins For the Punkin

Look at this face.  Lincoln is crazy about pumpkins.  Beats me!  He's also crazy about the broom, cell phones, one particular picture of Steven, and dogs.

 

But back to the pumpkins.  Whenever Lincoln sees a pumpkin at the grocery store,  He runs up to it (when he's not tied/strapped in the basket) and pats it, sniffs it, and talks to it.  Because of this great love for all things pumpkin, Steven and I decided to take him to a pumpkin patch.

Saturday we took the 20 minute drive to Gentry Farm in Franklin.  This is another thing we just love about Nashville- drive the right direction for 15 minutes and you feel like you are nowhere close to a big city.  We loved looking at the barns, horses and cows, and big farm houses on the drive.   

Once we got there we discovered that all the pumpkins had been picked from the patch!  Well!  So, we explored what else the farm had to offer.  We inspected the chickens and a couple goats, went on a hay ride where we saw the old farm house and some cows (cattle?), and played with Lincoln in a little miniature farm setup complete with tractors, a teepee, and an outhouse.

 

 

When we were all done exploring, we let Lincoln pick out a pumpkin.  From a bin.  Just like at the grocery store.  Only more expensive.

 

He loved it, though, and so did we.  On our way home, we let Lincoln hold his pumpkin and the whole time, he had a big 'ol toothy grin.   

North Carolina

A few weekends back, we made the 9 hour drive to Raleigh, North Carolina.  

9 hours, you may exclaim!  Isn't North Carolina RIGHT NEXT TO Tennessee?!? 

By gosh, it is, but Tennessee is one dang long state, we've discovered.  My cousin who came down that same weekend passed through 3 or 4 states in less time.  

The drive was totally worth it, we saw my beautiful cousin, Courtney, get married.  My Grandpa Deaver sealed them in the temple.  He sealed Steven and I as well.  It was a privilege to witness such a sacred event and a great reminder of what I need to focus my energy and thoughts on.    

Lincoln and his Great Grandpa, he still usually only likes to be held by me or Steven! 

Grandpa Deaver, Gina, and Aunt Mel

The Boys of Fall

This is Lincoln's friend Coen.  He comes over about 4 afternoons a week while his Mama is at work.  He is a sweet, sweet boy and I love having him over.

The boys are CRAZY about going outside!  They bang on the glass door and as soon as I open it up they bolt/toddle out.  They mostly hunt for treasures like sticks, the green balls you see them holding, and the neighbor's cat.  Sometimes they dig in the dirt and bang on the rain gutter downspout. 

Muscle man almost fills out his 12mo onesie

I'm so glad Lincoln has someone to practice sharing with! 

A Visit to Auntie Em

 

Look at that face!!!  Is she not killer?!?

This is Charlotte Rose, my sister's baby.  And man, I LOVE her!  And her mom.  

 

After holding out as long as I possibly could (I guess the grandmas have first dibs on seeing the baby), I flew out to Texas to meet Charlotte.  I wanted to help Emily with cooking and cleaning but mostly chased Lincoln around and tried to keep him from laying on their cat.  We did have a great time, though, and laughed more than you should while holding a sleeping infant. 

Can't wait to see her around Thanksgiving!

End of Summer BBQ

I am always sad to see the summer go, but the excitement that fall brings is delicious.  Halloween, Christmas... I love it all.

Sunday, a few friends got together for our last summer BBQ.  We had delicious grub and great company.  

 Well, Lincoln wasn't the best of company but everybody else was.

Happy Lincoln- after he played with the dog and the dog's poop... ick

If its warm enough wherever you are, this is my favorite summertime dessert.

Oreo Cookie Dessert

crumble up 1 package of oreo cookies and mix with about a half a stick of melted butter

press about 3/4 of the mixture into a 9 by 11 pan

mush 1 carton of semi melted ice cream over cookies

top with a jar of melted chocolate topping (or Hershey's syrup)

sprinkle remaining oreo cookies on top

Freeze for a few hours before serving

Oh man, that dessert is so worth the calories.

 

Home Sweet Home

We've been back in Nashville for a few weeks now and we are so happy to be home!  Steven is busy with school and extracurricular activities (and following college football like its his job), and I am so happy to have my time full of Primary, babysitting, and doing that whole take care of Lincoln/the house thing.  

Anyhoo, the day we got back, Lincoln was so happy.  He ran from room to room and touched the walls, opened drawers, and wanted to get into everything.  We think he might remember living here.  Its sweet.  It makes us happy.

But here the little buddy is, making himself comfortable, on his first day back home. 

Gnometastic!!

On our way back to Nashville, we decided to take a detour and Visit Rock City! 

Whenever we drive from Nashville to Atlanta, we pass 8 or 10 ooold red and black barns that beg us to "Visit Rock City".  The promise to see 7 states finally lured us in.  

We hiked a little bit, ate a picnic lunch overlooking 7 states, and debated the naturalness of a beautiful waterfall.  Near the end of our visit, we made our way to a crazy cave decorated with seashells, neon gnomes, and figures depicting fairy tales and nursery rhymes.  It was pretty kitschy but we like it a lot more than two 25 year-olds should.   

Lincoln's favorite was probably picking up dirt and throwing it.  What can I say, that kid is easy to please.