Happy Halloween!

We had a wonderful Halloween in our neighborhood this year. Each year we have a HUGE neighborhood party and then we all head out for trick-or-treating. Emma-Caroline dressed as a pink poodle and Sophie was a little bee. They had a ball trick-or-treating and eating lots of treats. Here are a few pictures from our "spooktacular" Halloween night.

Getting treats!

Carolyn, Howie, Sophie, Kurt, Abby, Emma-Caroline and Karley

The littlest trick-or-treaters

Emma-Caroline, Neeley, Karley, and Mary Caroline

Patrick and Anna got to come to our Halloween party too!

Emma-Caroline, Sophie, Abby, and Karley

Two little bees!

I wish all the little bees in my garden were as sweet as this one!

Emma-Caroline (aka Fifi) really got into her role as a pink poodle!

To the point of even being walked on a leash!

Trunk-or-Treat!

I was finally able to get my pictures from our church's Trunk-or-Treat. The evening started with a beautiful service in the church. Then the girls participated in the Halloween fashion show. We had a wonderful time! Here's a little preview of the girls' Halloween costumes and our trunk decorated for the event.

Baby Bumble Bee

On Sunday, the Avery Family enjoyed a special night of "Trunk-or-Treat" at the Church of the Ascension. Unfortunately, my computer crashed and I was unable to download more pictures from our night; however I was able to get this little picture and thought it just had to be shared. For those of you who are family and close friends, you know that Sophie is a "Sowell" baby through and through, meaning that she looks like my side of the family. She especially favors my Granny Bea. So it is fitting that Sophie is a little Bee this year for Halloween. Sometimes I am just awed at the looks and expressions she gives me as they remind me so much of my Granny Bea. She was a wonderful and special grandmother whom I miss very much. What a blessing it is to see Granny Bea smiling at me through my own child's eyes.

The "Caroline" Cookie Co.

We officially have opened our very own cookie store featuring the delectable Halloween cookie treats made by the talented cookie artists Emma Caroline and Mary Caroline. These little bakers mixed, rolled, floured, cut, baked, iced and sprinkled to cookie perfection. The end result was a delicious treat that would rival even Mrs. Field's herself! Mmmm! Mmmmm!

Pumpkin Pickin'

This past Sunday, we spent a beautiful afternoon at the pumpkin patch with our dear friends Patrick and Anna. Emma-Caroline and Sophie had a ball riding the hay wagon and "picking" a pumpkin from the patch. We all enjoyed a nice lunch and treats from the Oakes Farm grill, but most of all, we enjoyed spending time with Patrick and Anna. We're all so happy that they are safely moved from New Hampshire and that they are now residents of Knoxville. Thanks Patrick and Anna for such a fun day!

We All Scream For Ice Cream!

It has been so warm here lately that the ice cream man is still making his neighborhood rounds. We actually had cash this time so we all headed out for a cool treat! Yummy!

I think Emma Caroline enjoyed her chocolate ice cream. Don't you!

Pomp and Circumstance

Tonight Barkley graduated from Pet Smart's Pet Training School. Woo Hoo! We are so proud of our "Sir Barkley". He graduated with honors along with some new dog pals (from left) Pip and Sophie. We sure did enjoy our training classes, especially all the treats! Congratulations Barkley!

Sophie's Check-Up

On Tuesday, Sophie had her 15 month check-up. Howie and I have been curious about her weight, since she needs to be 20 lbs AND one year before we can turn her seat around. Well she weighs exactly 18 pounds. Nope, not exactly 20lbs yet, but at this rate she will reach that mile stone by the time she is 18 months. She measured 29 inches, which puts her in the 25th percentile for height. She's below the charts in weight, but always has been little. Dr. Shults commented that Sophie might make a great gymnast, not because of her size, but because while we were there, it was all I could do to hold her still on the table. I think she stood and touched her head to the table as if she were doing a somersault 5 times during her examination! She is definitely a little mover and keeps me very busy.

Here are some pictures from Sophie's very first visit to the doctor. We love Dr. Shults!

Not happy being measured and weighed. Weight at 1 week 6lbs; Height 18inches

Sweet Baby Sophie 1 week old.

Sophie's First Day of School

Today Sophie started preschool at Sacred Heart with Miss Danielle . She went in with no problem as if she had been going to school forever, and was more interested in the toys than taking a picture. She didn't cry, kick, scream, or cling to my leg with super human strength. Much different than Emma Caroline who, incidentally, cried and clung to my leg with super human strength when I took her to her own three year old classroom this morning. Such is the difference in siblings. We'll see how it goes. Sophie will be attending on Wednesdays, while Emma Caroline attends MWF. Hopefully Sophie will continue to have as much enthusiasm for school as she did today.