Visiting the Big Guy

We went to Atlanta Botanical Gardens to visit with the great Holly King himself! Santa got to meet Finn and check in with Cameron on how things have been going. Finn was not too impressed, and was only happy looking at him and not being held by him! That's alright, he understood, not taking these things personally. What a great and jolly guy! Ho ho ho!

This is one of the most beautiful things there. It is a Chihouly glass sculpture, oooh, aaah!

Thanksgiving

When I started this blog, I had great ideas of weekly updates or at least pictures. Now I have realized that it is more like the tide, comes and goes. Not that the interest or intention isn't there, it's finding the time. Between school projects, holidays, kitchen remodeling and life in general...oh boy, another month has passed. Oops. So, I am catching up with a few pics and hoping to redeem myself!

This Thanksgiving was Bud & Connie's 43rd Anniversary!!!

Frying Turkeys, and you can take that either way...

Autumn in Avalon

I was asked in a class once, "What is your favorite season?" And as I sat to write my paper, I recalled growing up with piles of leaves, planting flower bulbs, watching the leaves turn the tree tops into glowing yellows and reds. The fall is a time of reflection, often associated with the older years of life, with hibernation. That first inkling of the change of seasons, a smell of cinnamon and earth in the cool breeze. The fall brings a new delight to the senses and we had a wonderful weekend playing at Avalon!

Halloween

The troupe of Cameron's friends set out on

the annual candy quest with:
One "Terminator"
One "Grim Reaper"
One "Ninja"
& "A stockbrocker, who had to sell
his pants. And his flesh."

HAHA

Daddy Beekeeper and his Baby Bee

This is Cameron's "Coolest costume EVER!" A Terminator, made
with aluminum foil and (would you believe) baby rice cereal!
I did use a little fake blood but the rest
was not only organic, but recycleable!

The picture doesn't do it justice,
the peeling flesh, the mechanical inside showing through,
and the utter fear spread far and wide...

Swinger

The first time on a swing in a real park can be a frightening prospect. Finn was intrigued and held only a dollop of uncertainty as his maiden voyage began. As long as Mommy and Daddy were smiling and alright with it, he was. I believe this is the beginning of a new love for him, Candler Park, with it's array of pint-sized obstacles it is the perfect place to play!

Panoramamania

One of the many talents of my sweet, dear husband is photography. Using a 1904 Kodak circut camera, he reveals the full spectrum of what would otherwise just be a scene. The camera pivots on a base and circles 360, creating visually stunning pieces! Over 10 years and what has amassed as a portfolio went on display (and sale) for the first time. We spent last weekend at the Candler Park Fall Festival and we were met with great intrigue and many people were delighted to see themselves in the volumes through the years.

It was interesting to watch people finding themselves.
Finding long lost sweethearts.
Finding fathers whom had since passed away.

Each one of those photos is a time capsule and a gift, as most photos are.
Inspired, I go into tomorrow and each day I remember to be present, in full circle.

This one's Finn on the new sofa...enjoying the prosperity!

Ante Up...

When Shawn and I started dating, one of his hobbies was to go out playing poker at least twice a week, usually until the wee hours. You can imagine this was not what I saw at the time as one his most redeeming qualities, but I appreciate his dedication, sort of.

Knowing how much fun I had as a little girl playing poker with my grandparents it occurred to me that we should play a family game night while the in-laws are here! So Bud, Connie, Great-Grandma Bess, Uncle Scott, Aunt Nico and the rest of us bellied up to the proverbial bar for a rousing evening of Draw, Screw Your Neighbor, Bertha and other interestingly named "games."

You really start to see new aspects of people when cards are in their hands and the stakes are high. Shifty eyes, sweaty brows, silly poker faces. We had a fantastic evening and not only did we learn a few new games, we grew our foundation and ensured ours is not a house of cards.

A day at the zoo!

Carrots

Finn taught Daddy a couple of new things at dinner last night:

1. That "razz" noise Daddy taught him just before
dinner is even funner with dinner.
2. He really, really likes carrots. And he wants
to share them with his Daddy.
3. Gravity is the floors best friend and
also wants to share carrots.

Fortunately~ he also loves to eat bubbles!

1-1

W-O-O-D-W-A-R-D!!!
Cameron's second football game was this afternoon, unfortunately, they lost.
BUT~ They did win last week!!
I really am enjoying seeing him go at this with such joy. He's the smallest guy on the team and it doesn't seem to phase him...not really sure if that's good or bad.
He is number 1 after all!

Cake

Almost every parent I know has that one picture. The one your kids want burned, trashed, destroyed in a most pleasant manner. I imagine this will be one of those, so enjoy it while you can!
~Note, the other two boys were watching this photo session trying their best to defend him from the doting paparazzi. They were easily distracted with cake.

This Morning!

Milestones everyday. The first time sitting up by one's self is a big deal! There are new things everyday in all of our lives, we just have to slow down and take time to notice them. I love being a parent, I love being reminded how we hold all the possibility in the world as children. It reminds me that even when my hands are full, my heart is too!