Maple Lane Farms

We have been yearly visitors to the pumpkin patch since Emma-Caroline was a baby. The Knoxville and surrounding area has many wonderful farms and pumpkin patches and corn mazes. We have been to at least four different ones, however, we think the Maple Lane Farms corn maze and pumpkin patch is the best that we have visited. Today we ventured out to Greenback, Tennessee for our annual family trip to the pumpkin patch. It was a beautiful sunny day and we took full advantage of the mild weather for our pumpkin patch excursion.

 The girls found a spot in the middle of all these pumplins that was perfect for a photo op!

 Aren't these the two cutest little pumpkin farmers you ever saw!

 Beautiful sunflowers, perfect for photos!

 I can't believe how clear this photo from instagram is! I love it!

 The girls thought these were so much fun. I secretly wished i could take a set or two home with me!

 Emma-Caroline has grown so much since her first trip as a 1 year old to Maple Lane Farms!

 Sophie was an infant in a baby Bjorn on her first trip to Maple Lane Farms!

 Making our way through the "Monkey" corn Maze!

 Emma-Caroline found the perfect little pumpkin! She later dropped it and broke it's stem off which led to many tears and a second pumpkin.

 A little pumpkin for a little punkin'!

The two prettiest pumpkins in the patch!

It's Great to Be a Tennessee Vol!

The University of Tennessee, my alma mater, is a great place to be on any given Saturday during the fall when the Football Vols are at home playing some other opposing team. Regarding football, there is nothing quite as amazing to me than watching the Tennessee Volunteers run through the Power T with Smokey the real blue tick coon hound leading the pack with an unmistakable howl! It's electrifying and there is no place I would rather be at the given moment. This football season has gotten off to a wonderful start. It seems the lull of a few slow years in our football past have been put aside and the fans have been energized with a fierce passion for the TN Vols! Today, ESPN College Game Day has returned to Rocky Top giving the fans an extra treat. With a win against the Gators, we'll be singing "Good ole Rocky Top" into the wee hours of the morning! Go Vols!

A Party Fit For a Puppy Princess!

Our new little puppy Macy (aka Macy Belle) has been a wonderful addition to our family. She came to us in June and we were told by our vet that she was between 7-9 months of age. We decided that we would celebrate her birthday on the first day of September. This past Saturday, Emma-Caroline, Sophie, and I threw a party fit for any poochie princess and invited Macy's best puppy friend, Lilly Belle, the pocket beagle, to help celebrate. Lilly Belle was accompanied by Mary Caroline, Emma-Caroline's bff. Emma-Caroline planned everything for the perfect party for her puppy from the doggie friendly cake, to the party favors, to the doggie party games. We all had a wonderful time and most importantly, I had some happy little girls. Emma-Caroline may have created her own Pooch Party business. It was quite a lovely celebration!

Macy's puppy friendly birthday cake from River Dog Bakery

Emma-Caroline and Sophie with the birthday girl.

BFF's both human and canine

Proud birthday princess!

 Lucy, our reluctant birthday party guest.

 Singing happy birthday to the the birthday girl.

 Mary Caroline and Lilly Belle

 Lucy, being a little more civil.

Happy to be eating birthday cupcakes for humans!

Back to School!

The summer has flown by and although the actual season of summer is over, summer vacation officially ended two weeks ago. In the first two weeks of August, we traveled to New York City and to the Washington DC area to visit family and have lots of fun. I feel this year of 2012 I am perpetually back posting. Although there has been a lack of me keeping up here with our daily life at the Avery House, there hasn't been a lack for wonderful activity. Emma-Carolina and Sophie started off their first day of 2nd grade and kindergarten without a hitch. They were both extremely excited to wear new backpacks and see their new teachers. Although Sophie will not officially start until next Tuesday, the first stagger days of kindergarten have been fun and exciting. The 2012-2013 school year is off to a great start!

 Emma-Caroline chose her Peace, Love, Bearden shirt to wear on her first day of 2nd grade!

 A very excited little girl!

 New backpaack for all of that homework!

 Mrs.. Tarbett, Emma-Caroline's 2nd grade teacher.

 Sophie was super excited to start kindergarten! She wore the same dress Emma-Caroline wore on her first day of kindergarten.

 Sophie's new backpack.

 Emma-Caroline's 2nd day of 2nd grade and Sophie's first day of kindergarten.

 We love Bearden Elementary!

 Ready to start the day!

The Central Park Zoo!

While we in New York visiting family, we also took advantage of the many wonderful things that there are to do there. It always amazes me that you can be right in the middle of such a large city, but also feel like you are in the country side while you are visiting Central Park. On one of the many days that we visited Central Park, we visited the animals of the Central Park Zoo.

 Standing at the entrance of the Central Park Zoo!

 Looking at the baboons.

 Pointing out the turtles.

 Emma-Caroline is always intrigued by the maps everywhere we go.

 Waiting with Ellen to watch the sea lion show.

 Resting in Central Park Zoo.

King of the Central Park Zoo!

Spending Time with Grandma in New York City

Before school started, we are traveled to New York City to see Howie's mother Beverly and his sisters, Rhonda, Bess, and Sherri as well as our nieces Elizabeth, Diane, Lori, and Ellen. It has been a few years since we had brought the girls to the city, so they were both excited to see all of the buildings and people. One of their favorite pass times while we were in the city was spending time with their Grandma Beverly in her garden and across the street from her apartment at the playground. We will have to make another trip soon to see Grandma in New York City!

 Grandma Beverly and her little girlfriends!

 Youngest to oldest, Sophie, Emma-Caroline, Ellen, Lori, Diane, and Elizabeth!