Catching Up!

OK for those of you who regularly check out what's going on in our house I know I have been lax in updating the blog, so I have a lot of catching up to do. Since the last post, Election Day, we have driven home from G-daddy and Mimi's and we have been super busy going to school, dancing at ballet , playing at home etc. etc. ect. The normal, but to us, still the interesting and fun day-to-day activities. Here are some of the highlights from the past couple of weeks:

Rockin' Sophie

Playing With Mommy's Shoes.

Playing in the leaves!

Emma-Caroline's Ballet "Open House"

Election Day!

Today may be one of the single most important election days in American history. No matter what your political views, if you're old enough to vote, please vote. God bless America!

Happy 60th Birthday G-Daddy

Today is my dad's 60th birthday. I have to say, 60 sure doesn't look like it used to. My dad is such a "young" man and is actually more active than I am, although I hate to admit it. The girls and I drove up to Virginia yesterday to surprise G-Daddy for his birthday. They have had such a good time celebrating their G-Daddy's special day. Emma-Caroline even put her recently acquired baking skills to good use and helped Mimi bake G-Daddy's favorite dessert, lemon meringue pie. My dad is the best kind of dad there is. I feel so blessed to have him as my father and I am so happy too that the girls have such a wonderful G-Daddy to grow up with. We love our G-Daddy. Happy Birthday Daddy! I love you!

Opening cards and presents. . . tissues please!

A new TV for the boat.

Emma-Caroline helped Mimi bake a delicious pie for G-Daddy's birthday. She pricked the pie crust, squeezed the lemons, mixed the pie filling, baked the pie and meringue, and topped it with lemon zest. She is becoming quite the baker. Emma-Caroline also helped set the table for G-Daddy's special dinner. These pictures are in reverse order of her baking adventure. She was so pleased to be able to help Mimi prepare such a special dessert for G-Daddy.

Zesting!

Mixing the pie filling.

Squeezing lemons.

Pricking the pie crust.

Blowing kisses to G-Daddy.

Snuggling close to a very special G-Daddy.

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!