COFFEE QUEEN!

As many of you know, Chloe has a thing for coffee. This weekend, we took the three hour drive to Reno, NV for some monthly shopping. While there, I was treated to a Starbucks coffee (mind you I had been up all night working, so it was much needed. I had planned on sleeping during the drive, but was shocked into a wakeful state by the State Trooper...yes folks, you must maintain a 3 car distance, even when passing???) Anyway, nap time for Chloe comes and we're just getting ready to see Monsters VS. Aliens (Great show!!) when she steals my coffee, hides under a shirt and drinks nearly half of it! I finished it off during the movie, only to have her ask for it and say, "I need more coffee!" She's too much. Fast-forward to Sunday morning, and as I head to the shower, she runs to the kitchen, with straw in hand, and tells Anthony, "I'm gonna drink Momma's coffee all gone, and she's gonna be SOOO mad!" Crazy girl!!

Naked Baby in Boots!

Today we ventured into the local feed store, and to Chloe's surprise they had pink cowgirl boots! She just had to try them on, but there was just one problem...she had been insistent on wearing feeted PJ's as her outfit for the day. This one's easy, we'll just unzip and try on the boots. However, an even bigger problem...no undies!! Did this bother her?? NOPE! So we ended up with a naked girl running around the store in beautiful, pink boots. It was a hoot! We ended up with the boots, an early B-Day gift for the nearly 3 year old:) Have a great day!!

How much longer???

So, you've all seen that I'm behind on posting??? Well, turns out the packers got to my camera cable before I did:( Boo! We have tons of pictures to share of our cross-country adventure, but all will have to wait. Still trucking along and hoping to be in the new house mid April. I'll start posting again then:) Take care and have a super day!!

Shopping day in Raleigh!

As many of you know, we do the bulk of our monthly shopping in Raleigh. This is what Chloe typically looks like in Whole Foods. She loves their fresh bread...always the first stop:) This giant lizard is one of the live pets at our favorite toy store, Science Safari. He nods his head up and down at you as you walk by him. Fun store with neat things, not just for kids:)

A Bunch of Sardines!
The girls are totally exhausted after a fun visit to Ohio. You'll see the difference in riding style from the trip there, and our return trip. We completely spent our Christmas money at IKEA!! Yes, Avery is faking sleep in the picture of her and Chloe:)

Stephanie and Josh help Violet and Frank pose for a picture with Avery. We had so much fun visiting with the Carpenters and their puppies! They're totally cute and crazy:)

Dustin instructs the kids on the Wii:) By the way, thanks for the De Blob game...AJ LOVES it!!

Great-Grandkids

Grandma Jeanie poses with all her Great-Grandchildren. Wild time getting everyone in:)

Aunt Mickey and BJ hosted Thanksgiving this year. We had a wonderful time visiting with all the family. Chloe was thrilled to be able to see the kitty cats and pet them. Fun times!

Chloe loves to feed the geese!

While AJ and Avery enjoy their art lesson, Chloe and I love to feed the geese. This is a crazy twist, because Chloe used to be VERY scared of geese. Just a year ago, she would run through the house screaming for us when she heard them fly over our house each morning. It's great to see her overcome her fear of the "bad goose".

It's a Turkey Herbie!!

As we drove down glorious Bragg Blvd, the kids screamed out, "A Turkey Herbie!". I couldn't believe my eyes...it was true! We had to turn around for a picture. Note the Krispy Kreme in the background...it's one of the first...it all started here in NC! (Yep, we did have to stop for a doughnut that day!)

Party Favors!

Chloe is loving the press-on-nails:)
Daddy and I think it looks a little freaky!

Happy 7th Birthday, Avery!

Our friends join in the birthday fun:)

Smokin!

Grandpa Harv has mastered the smoker! We all stood around tasting his turkey, salmon, and beef. It was amazing!! Thanks, Grandpa Harv!

Kaitie's Car

Chloe and Avery enjoy a ride with Auntie Kaitie!

A Day at Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm!

Family Picture

Bus Ride????

This reminds me of a scene out of one of the Miss Pattycake movies!

Lima Pits Aren't Just for Kids!

Yes, even Uncle Bean enjoys the Lima Pits:) The fun we had brought back wonderful memories of our fun with the Havenwood-Lander's family and their bean box!!

AJ buried in the lima bean pit:)

Quick shot before we head out:) Avery, AJ, and Chloe had a great time at the pumpkin patch. Thanks, Uncle Bean!

Handmade by Grandma Gay

Sadly, our Grandma Gay went home to be with our Lord, late Oct. We all flew out to be with family during this sad time. As only Anthony and Ben can do, they sported some of Grandma Gay's handmade shirts to honor and remember her at the funeral. Afterwards, a large group of us headed up to the cabin for some good eats, fun games, and an awesome time together. Pray for our Grandpa Bud, as he's trying to live without his awesome wife.

A Tour of Great Harvest Bread

We enjoyed a homeschool tour of Great Harvest Bread. They have all our favorite breads, and to make it even better, they make it fresh, even grinding their own wheat there in the store. Now that we've been grinding and baking some of our own breads, the kids really enjoyed seeing how they bake in bulk. Here the owner shows us the giant oven, baking a batch of dog bones!

Avery and AJ pose in front of GHB's giant mixer.

Girl's Night Out

Avery and I had a wonderful time with Deanna and her family at Disney On Ice. It was a cute show and a wonderful Girl's Night Out!

Now That's a Wheel! AJ, Chloe, and Avery enjoyed a day on the farm.

Hayride to pick a Pumpkin!

We totally enjoyed our hayride to pick pumpkins. Everyone looked carefully and made wonderful selections....the days of just picking the biggest are over! AJ selected his because it was a "butt pumpkin". Chloe fell in love with the "little bump nose" on hers. Avery found her pumpkin to be "the roundest, most perfect pumpkin".

Corn Maze!

Avery, Shannon, AJ, and Chloe enjoy the Corn Maze at Gross Farms, NC. This was our first attempt at a corn maze, and I highly recommend taking 2 adults:) We found all the points in the easy maze, but struggled in the big one...could have had something to do with Chloe not being totally into it:) The big kids really LOVED it!