Tricks or Treat 2018

This year we did not go with a Halloween costume theme . . . Preston was a silly man and Savannah was a minion.  We started the fun on Saturday with a party at a local shopping center.  Although the party was less fun this year (lines were way too long at each station), Preston's costume was a hit.  Everyone was smiling and taking pictures of him!  However, we quickly figured out that Halloween night would be more difficult as it was challenging for him to walk in.

I have to say it was odd not being in charge of the block party . . and a lot easier too!  As soon as the kids' friends arrived we headed over to the neighborhood pizza party and enjoyed free Papa Johns.

The older girls really wanted to do their own thing, but they were good about staying in my sight.

After the party, it was trick or treating madness in this huge neighborhood!  BUT, about two streets in Preston had enough of his costume so we sent Dave home to dig through the dress up clothes for a costume change.

He came back with a pirate outfit, which barely fit (see the short pants) but we made it work.  The pace picked up considerably once Preston's walking wasn't restricted by a big blow up outfit.

And the pirate outfit was perfect for this amazing display on the street behind us.  Unfortunately we didn't know that the cannon blasts were cut off at 8pm so we didn't get to blast the cannon this year, but there was still lots of fog and an amazing pirate ship display.  Next year we'll know to go earlier!

It was a fun night with of course way too much candy. . . and lots of adventures in the new hood.  I even watched a kid in a milk costume roll all the way down our front hill only to get up and say that now he was a milkshake.  HA!

Finally Fall Fun!!

Our weekend started bright and early as we had to travel to an away soccer game and be there by 8am.  Dave and I made the wise decision to postpone our long run until after the game and enjoyed the much cooler weather later in the morning.  Preston was on FIRE this morning!  Not only did his team manage to pull out their first win of the season, but he scored 4 of the 5 goals for the team (playing on defense).  I wish I had a picture, but lets just say he was thrilled!  It was so chilly and wet, but maybe that's just the condition he needs to excel.

After coming home, going for a run, and knocking out some errands, the kids really wanted to do something fall-like and fun.  They chose a corn maze.  We took full advantage of an early soccer game day AND the fact that Clemson football had a bye week to enjoy some family time at Hall Family Farm.  

We started with the big corn maze.  The kids read somewhere that if you consistently take every right turn you'll go along the edge and eventually make your way out.  I tried to explain that was not the case, but I think they learned best by experiencing that it does NOT work.  So, then we went to plan B, actually trying to find the clues in the maze to unlock the map pieces and find our way out.  We "finished" in 59 minutes 31 seconds and had to cut a few corners to find our way out.  Sadly we only found 11 of the 14 pieces to the map too, but we were all ready to escape the maze to enjoy some funnel cake!

This one enjoyed the cake a bit too much!

It was such a fun afternoon, one where we didn't have to worry about time or schedules, but could just enjoy time together.  Here's to a fantastic Fall.  We are already enjoying the awesome weather!

Fall Y-Guides Longhouse Adventure

 Y Guides 2018 Fall Longhouse

I'll let the pictures give you an idea of what these boys did all weekend because other than that, I have no idea!  They played hard, stayed up late, ate lots of junk and came home smellier than EVER.  Honestly I'm not sure laundry has ever smelled that bad! So thankful for this chance for Dave to get some one-on-one time with Preston.  They had a blast making sweet memories. :)

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

The boys are officially out of town at at Y-Guides Longhouse so Savannah and I have had quite the fun day!  We started the morning not really knowing what we wanted to do , but by the end we had some pretty fun adventures!  

After my long run and a few quick errands, we met up with the Marion girls for pedicures and ice-cream!  Then, somehow these two managed to convince us that they needed to spend the day together.  

So we decided to go to Carowinds for a little bit.  They are so silly and wanted to try out the scale.  We rode a few things and by the time we left they convinced me that a sleepover was a good idea too.

After a few texts back and forth with Anna Kate's mom it was done and we headed home for a pizza dinner.  These two watched some TV and then settled in nicely with their books.  Sleepovers are much different (and quieter) now that they are older.  

These two couldn't be more alike even if they were sisters!  I'm so thankful Savannah has such precious friends with the same values and interests . .  it's nice that the mamas are pretty good friends too. :)