Li'l Bo Peep and her lost sheep

This year we did some hand-me-downing for Halloween costumes. Celia's first year she was a lamb, so we decided to play that game again with Bennett. We were having a hard time figuring out a costume for Celia, and Molly suggested Li'l Bo Peep. A quick trip to Walmart for a fluffy Cinderella dress and we were halfway there. I got out the Charleston bonnett my mom had made for me when I was 2 (for Easter naturally) and that completed the ensemble. Don't they look sweet?

Li'l Bo Peep and her Sheep

Li'l Bo Peep

Celia's first Halloween as a lamb

Bennett's turn as a lamb this year

Asiyah, Celia, and Angel---our good friends that live next door

You are now cleared for take-off...

This is how Bennett watches Baby Einstein videos....

the pre-party

E and Hunt kept all 5 grandkids Saturday night while Ben, Liz, Dave, and I went to Andrew and Lauren Pittard's wedding. While we were away E had a cousins only birthday party for Bennett. Can you believe she's almost 1?

Sweet Anna Dargan

Our neice Anna Dargan is absolutely precious and actually quite docile. She's this precious little thing that is completely content and so sweet and delicate. Tomorrow Dargan turns 10 months. Celia continues to be quite obsessed with her and prefers playing with Dargan to about anything else. She doesn't get near enough blog-time so this is just for her! We love you Anna Dargan!

Get your motor runnin....

Daddy and Celia went on a long 4 wheeler ride and went splashing in the mud. Celia loved it! She usually kind of freaks out about loud noises but now she's getting used to it.....

The Long Way Home

Celia walking back to the house....

A Walk in the Woods

The crew went out for a country walk and ended up at the Clubhouse and rode on the 4-wheeler. Also at the country one of our neighbors has a pseudo-petting farm with animals galore... the donkey was actually the inspiration for Celia's 2 yr-old birthday party (nonkney fest)....anyway it was a fun morning!

Ben attempted to open the gate but soon realized they'd been left without the key! So instead of a 4 wheeler for each family we had to take turns.

The Jackson Boys

Celia beside the farm animals

Bennett's animal view...

A Step Up...

Then Celia upgraded....

Jackson Hole October '06

The Jackson clan has its roots in the country right outside Holly Hill, SC. Growing up we would go often to visit our grandparents while the men hunted. About 10 years ago or so Hunt bought a little cabin from his cousin and we affectionately know it as our own Jackson Hole. This past weekend Dave had the girls there with Ben and his older boys while Liz, Anna Dargan, and I stayed with E in Mt. Pleasant for a baby shower....

As soon as we got out of the car Celia headed straight for the tractor and her load kept growing!

Visiting Lucy

So I mentioned that our friends Sean and Lindsey had their little Lucy last week. These are the pictures from our visiting her at the hospital. Isn't she precious!!

This first one is with Linley, Lindsey, Lucy and me....

sweet little sleeping beauty...


This is Lucy and me...she's almost a week old and growing and Lindsey commented yesterday during a visit that Lucy's due date is actually tomorrow (Oct 31) so she could actually still be inside Lindsey! Thankfully, she's out and adjusting well to the world!

Look at all that HAIR!

This is what Bennett looks like post bath experience.....

Uptown Picnic

Our festive fall celebration continued as we headed to the Uptown Corn Maze and Family Picnic.... great fun had by all....Celia loved the animals and was a little taken back by the fire. With all the kids around I was thankful that none of them actually ended up in the bonfire. It was a good time to hang out and go on our family's first hay ride.

Here is Dave and the girls with the Davidsons and Kristen and Owen Purdy.



A real reindeer! Celia wasn't so sure....




This is a picture of Benjamin and Lucibeth Hamm...in the background you can see sweet Natalie Capes. The Hamm and Capes families have been a huge blessing to us since we've been here in Charlotte.

The s'more maker....Celia didn't want them all together...she's a purist...no soup for her just veggies divided on her plate....so the same with the s'mores. All the ingredients just separated. Bennett and I on the other hand tried to get some marshmallows toasty.

And this last picture is of Celia watching the animals. She really loved seeing the goats playing.

The Pumpkin Painter

Last year we started a pumpkin painting tradition when we had little pumpkins for Celia and Kate Burns to paint at the country. These are some pictures of last year and this year to note how the artwork has improved....what creative genius!

The Great Pumpkin

This is our trip to the pumpkin patch! We chose 3 pumpkins for the fam....one for us and 2 for the little ones. Celia loved sorting through the choices and Bennett just kind of sat there in awe. Definitely think we got some winners!

Baby Girl McCann

We had a baby shower for Lindsey McCann as soon as I got back from the trip to Charleston. It was great to see all of Lindsey's worlds colliding....seminary friends, furman friends, and both sides of her family. Anyway, it was sweet to celebrate with her. Lindsey had Lucy Kathryn McCann on Tuesday October 24th. Dave and I are going to visit them this afternoon!

pictured is Carrie Dirks (due in March) and Lindsey. Also pictured are some seminary girls...Linley Wynn, Suzanna Greer, Kathryn Howell, and Kristen Purdy (holding Mia Webber).

Georgetown Reunion

The girls and I made a quick day trip to Georgetown to see some old friends. While there we couldn't miss a chance to stop at the Kudzu. We saw Stacy there and introduced her to Miss Bennett. Celia remembered how great the cookies were and Bennett clearly loved her first taste! After that we ate lunch with our old next door neighbors Stevie and Tara Crammer and their two little ones Baxley and Bates. It was so great to see the little ones playing together. Bates even joined in for the dress up party!

The Workout

Those of you may not know my deep rooted love for wrestling. My brother and I grew up in the days of WWF and NWA (turned WCW) wrestling, both a distant memory. I was fascinated with the amount of spit that could come out of Dusty Rhodes' mouth when he grabbed the mic to taunt his foes. And wondered what why Jim Cornette always carried that tennis racket. I wanted to be "Miss Elizabeth" and was beside myself when she left the Macho Man for Hulk Hogan. I even received a "Dear Hulk-0-maniac" postcard after writing Hulk Hogan hwo was "in the hospital after an injury". My fear of snakes was intensified when Jake the snake Roberts would let one out of a bag on his recently pinned opponent. Seriously I could go on, but anyway....I'm trying to carry on that love in someways to Celia and was trying to get her to practice her pose after bathtime. I mean she goes to panthers day and sees Ric Flair up there and she's just got to respect her roots and know about the four horseman, sting, and lex luger the total package. So here she is....in a nod to those who wrestled in the good ol' days.

A little stretch of sand

We found a little patch of beach if you could call it that. Seriously it was about 30 square feet of sand mostly covered with oyster shells but it did the trick with getting a beach fix for the girls. They're sporting Clemson dresses because it was gameday for the tigers.

The Yacht Club

We went on a walk down to the Hobcaw Yacht Club and looked at boats for a bit. The weather was warm and the girls loved it. Celia mostly watched the pelicans.