Are we there yet…

Halloween

Posted on November 4, 2010 by carly

Halloween was so much fun that I decided to skip out on this weeks Weight Watchers meeting (Ruth just wouldn’t understand my weakness for Kit Kats). God love sweet MR for actually believing that sharing candy with her mama was a requirement of Halloween.

The day before Halloween, our neighborhood hosted a party for the little ones. There were games, crafts, and lots and lots of opportunities to indulge in goodies!

Aunt Hannah (dressed as a Power Ranger) and Unca B joined us for Halloween night

This years pumpkins

MR couldn’t wait to get home to show Unca B all of her candy. This was her reaction when she realized that there was a “sarey” teenaga ” at our front door trick or treating. At least that scary teenager was not toting a pillowcase for candy.

After we put this little guy to bed, we let MR pass out candy to the rest of the trick or treaters.

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It’s official

Posted on October 31, 2010 by carly

With Halloween on my heels, I’ve got some catchin’ up to do…

Last weekend, we became “True Atlanteans” by visiting the Varsity and spending the afternoon at Piedmont Park. We were long overdue and you’d better believe we are wearing our badges proud!

Enjoying a Frosted Orange

Piedmont Park

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Costume Drama

Posted on October 27, 2010 by carly

MR has had a real hard time deciding what to be this Halloween. Since we were a princess last year, I begged her to come up with something new. Dumbfounded by my request, she has made it very clear that she either wants to:

a) dress up as “naked girl” or

b) go as herself, because God made her “spppecial”.

After the Georgia/Tennessee game, I finally convinced MR to be a Georgia “cheerleadah” for Halloween. Relieved that she bought into my costume choice, I checked “costume drama” off of my list.

When G flew out earlier this week for a business trip in Detroit, MR and I decided to have a costume party. We dressed up as witches, cowboys and cowgirls, monsters, princesses, “cheerleadahs”, and bears. After emptying out the dress up trunk, we were exhausted. Surrounded by costumes and accessories, MR looked at me and said, “I don’t want to be a cheerleadah anymore. It’s too much work. I think I will just go trick-a-treating as Mary Reese. That’s much easier….”

And so it is. “Costume drama” has returned once again to the top of my list…

Further complicating matters is that I dressed up the kids as bears for family night at Chick-fil-a. The good news is the outing made her excited about wearing a costume again. The bad news is that we may be escorting a “bear cheerleadah” on Halloween night.

MR loved getting her face painted at Chick-fil-a

This little guy is all smiles these day!

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New Fall traditions

Posted on October 25, 2010 by carly

I have a real problem narrowing down pictures for the blog. This becomes an even bigger problem when the day involves perfect weather, lots of laughter, a trip to a pumpkin patch, and fun at an apple orchard…

Last Wednesday, MR headed north to spend a few days with her Meme and Papa Joe in the mountains. During her two day stay, she got to explore the village in Helen on a horse drawn carriage (she rode up front with the horse handler while Meme and Papa Joe sat in the back) and take a tour of the Cabbage Patch Kids Babyland General.

On Friday, Garrett and I drove to Dawsonville, Georgia to retrieve our little mountain girl. Before heading back home, we decided to spend the afternoon at Burt’s pumpkin patch and Hillcrest Orchard.

Burt’s was simply wonderful! There were lots and lots of pumpkins- big and small, and a hayride through the pumpkin patch.

We searched…

and searched. And searched,

and finally settled on a few pumpkins for the porch.

Burt’s hayride.

Hillcrest Orchard’s is just up the road from Burt’s. Most of the activities are closed on weekdays, but fortunately for MR, the petting zoo was open.

We saw baby chicks,

mama chickens,

goats and sheep,

kittens,

bunnies,

and a baby cow.

“Pictures is memories” is a favorite southern saying of ours. We left Burt’s and Hillcrest with 379 pictures, five pumpkins, two very worn out kids, lots and lots of memories, and a few new seasonal traditions. A big thanks to Meme and Papa Joe for sharing their vacation time with Sweet Mary Reese!

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Thirty one

Posted on October 21, 2010 by carly

No birthday celebration would be complete without the inability to button your pants after overeating at a favorite restaurant. This years restaurant of choice was Mexican. We enjoyed our meal so much that we decided to go back for round two the very next night with Gran C.

Two nights of endless bowls of chips and dip was almost more than I could handle…

There was a slightly “off” balloon man, that MR referred to as “awww-kward”,

seven Happy birthday singing Mexicans,

and two sombreros for the birthday girls.

There was also a birthday surprise that Gran C and I found at a local antique store. For months, I had been searching for a sturdy farm table to replace our old, hand-me-down, breakfast room table. I feel in love with a few on Pottery Barn, but was reluctant because the reviews were so bad. As soon as we laid eyes on this table and chair set, I knew that it would be the perfect replacement. It was inexpensive, and more importantly, rustic and child-friendly!

After swearing off Mexican for at least a week, we decided to spend Saturday outdoors, enjoying the fall weather. We packed a picnic for five and headed to the Square. It just so happened that the great folks of Marietta were hosting a Halloween Happenings festival to benefit local businesses. There was plenty to do and even more to see.

Picnic on the Square

There was also a delicious birthday cake waiting for us when we returned home! A big thanks to sweet G for making my thirty first birthday so special!

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Hutson’s Bulldawg Debut

Posted on October 11, 2010 by carly

He’s been called the “Judge”; an “accountant”; and a “banker”. Heck, Jujubea has even called him “Alex P. Keaton”. All of these nicknames point to the mature, serious side of our little man. He is laid back and often quiet. He sleeps great, takes a bottle wonderfully, and has a smile that could light up a room. He is his mamas goldenboy, and while I’m sure he’ll do wrong someday down the line, I can’t for a second begin to imagine getting ill with my sweet, sweet Huston.

This weekend earned the little man yet another nickname…”Biscuit” –named for his sweet chubby thighs and cheeks. On Saturday, Biscuit attended his very first Georgia football game. Surrounded by a tailgate full of babyholders, Biscuit (and mama) were spoiled rotten. There was bbq, plenty of visiting, and lots of laughter as we watched the kids play together. The day got even better when the Bulldawgs beat the Tennessee Volunteers after an embarrassing four game losing streak. More amazing than the win was the fact that both kids behaved perfectly during the game!

We returned home early Sunday morning so that G could to fly out to Detroit for a work function. He’ll return late Wednesday night, but in the meantime, we’ve got plenty of Halloween happenings to keep us busy!

I had a ball catching up with the Harvey girls.

What’s a tailgate without a little game of dressup?

And a game of chase?

There were plenty of diaper changes for Biscuit (compliments of Aunt Anne)

and a few trips to the secret potty tree for MR.

Heading to the stadium with Uncle Skeeter

Our little bulldawgs were pooped when we got home.

November 17, 2007; flashback from the past…MR attended her first Georgia game before she was 2 months old. We drove down from Charlottesville, Virginia to cheer on the dawgs as they battled (and beat) the Auburn Tigers.

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A trip to the fair and a new scooter: Part three of MR’s bday week

Posted on October 10, 2010 by carly

Fortunately for sweet MR, the birthday festivities didn’t stop at the tree farm. Later that week, we celebrated by going to the North Georgia State Fair. For three hours, we laughed as MR enjoyed ride after ride. She rode the bumblebees, the boats, the teacups, the motorcycles, the dragons, and of course the carousel.

This little pumpkin was all tuckered out by the time we got home from the fair.

After a full week of candles, cupcakes, and presents, we had one final surprise for MR…a trip to Cumming to see Aunt Lynn, Uncle Wes, Jacob, and Joshua. Aunt Lynn has always spoiled our little girl rotten. Thanks to Lynn, we have a playroom full of toys and a linen closet full of baby necessities for Baby Huston. In fact, because of her generosity, I have not had to buy a single pack of diapers or wipes for our little man! We often joke that no one leaves empty handed when Aunt Lynn is around. This visit was no different. Not only did she restock my supply of diapers and wipes, but she also sent us home with several Little People sets, a few new outfits, and a precious pink scooter for sweet MR! After picking out the perfect coordinating helmet, MR spent much of Sunday mastering her “pinkalicious ride” (her words not mine).

After months of hot, humid weather, we are thrilled to welcome the first signs of fall! Afternoons are now spent playing in the backyard and hunting acorns and fallen leaves.

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A trip to the farm: Part two of MR’s bday week

Posted on October 6, 2010 by carly

I always wanted to marry into a big family and thanks to G, I was able to do so. Garrett’s dad has two older brothers, who like him, both had a boy and girl. The six Harvey cousins are all close in age and are more like brother and sister than first cousins. It’s always a hoot when the Harvey’s are all able to get together. We aim for once or twice a year. This years gathering took place at Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Diane’s house in Milner, Georgia. Over the last several years, their son has transformed the homestead into a successful tree farm. The farm has become the perfect place to entertain the newest generation of Harvey’s. Not only is there plenty to do outside, but there is also lots and lots of good, southern food, laughter, and fun!

There were swirly pops,