Halloween-Raining Buckets, or Barrels would be better;)

A quick Halloween catch up. Scott and I partied not once, but TWICE on Halloween. We started the day off with a kids party-where the constant drizzle forced us all to stay inside. We gorged on mummy hot dogs and sausage balls-and enjoyed ourselves despite the weather. Then later that day we went to a friends house to partake in some trick or treating. The men planned a hayride which was very fun, even though very wet due to CONTINUED rain. By evening it was more like a downpour. But there were treats to collect, and no kit kat could be left behind so we soldiered on. Before leaving Scott debuted his costume-which was a HUGE hit. People were really "barrelled" over by it;)

Because of the reflective nature of the safety barrel it was hard to photograph inside. I still like this because of the beer silhouette.

Second try...I was getting closer;) Note the light-yep it flashed.

Me and my barrel man.

The whole crowd, minus Scott, ready for some trick or treating-HAYRIDE STYLE!!

The only thing I don't have a picture of is Scott directing neighborhood traffic in his costume. It was hysterical. I was laughing too hard to capture it on film-that and it was raining buckets.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend

Bailey and Molly tolerate one another. They do not play together or snuggle together really. They will sleep in proximity to one another on occasion. I have had a contractor in for a few days finishing up some small projects. He came with a very loud nail gun. The dogs HATE IT!! So much so, that they have banded together until its over. Here is a shot of them from an hour ago-sharing a small dog bed. I guess they have decided to put their differences aside until all the scary power tools have left the living room;)

Gameday Saturday, a visit to Asheville, and a spider with loyalty

Scott and I went to the Auburn game. We stayed for just under one quarter. We both are more football on tv types;) We had fun tailgating though. Pictures to follow.


Then the next weekend we went to the Biltmore in Asheville, NC. It was Scott's first trip. We had a great time exploring the house and grounds. We even went to the petting zoo area where I had a close encounter with a goat (does anyone else find their eyes a bit creepy?) I wouldn't get too close because I was afraid. Yes I know, goats don't eat people. But this one had a look about it:)


There have been some scary spiders setting up camp on my front porch and flower beds. One in particular was HUGE. No matter how many violent rain storms we received this guy just kept kicking. I was actually afraid to take a broom to it because I feared its retaliation. I told Scott that because I let it live on my hosta I felt confident it would never come in the house. Scott informed me that insects and creepy crawly things are not known for their loyalty. In this case I think he is wrong, I have never seen a spider (itsy bitsy or otherwise) crawl up the waterspout. Thank GOD!!!


Scott and I seeing how many patterns we can introduce into one gameday photo;)

View from our seats, which we sat in for less then 15 minutes.

A friendly goat in a cart at the Biltmore petting zoo. Why was the goat in the cart? Because it wanted to be-it had four fully functioning legs.

Me getting a pic with the goat. That's as close as I wanted to get. That goat had it in for me...look at it looking at me. I am pretty sure I am saying "sh*t"

A little closer...for the sake of a better picture. Of course the goat wasn't looking. After two tries I had had enough.

Funky chickens. They looked like they were wearing Derby hats.

We paused for a geese crossing on the grounds.

A view of the countries largest residence.

The view from the back balcony. The day was overcast but you could still see for what felt like miles.

Lastly..my very own eight legged wonder. I wonder if the picture does justice to its size. I actually called Bailey away from this plant everytime he went to pee on it. I didn't want to make the spider mad and I didn't want it to eat poor Bailey. It was GINORMOUS.

A September catch up

Um-what happened to the month of September?? I haven't blogged since AUGUST? I know, remiss of me. Lots has happened. Here is a run down of all the highlights.

We had a baby shower for Jen which she covered very well on her blog:

http://mowrerfamily.blogspot.com/2009/09/homegrown-baby-boy-bbq-shower-marty.html

I do have a couple pics to share from my perspective:

Megan's mom took care of the flowers for the event. They were lovely. I sent Chris G out to take some photos and I thought he did a wonderful job. If that doctor thing ever falls through I think he could have a real career in photography-look at the composition:)

The ladies enjoyed the food and company.

Matt was in charge of photos from his perspective, I saw allot of this during the evening.

And then he got to have a hand in opening gifts, something rarely enjoyed by dads at baby showers. Mostly because they are not typically invited:)

A side view of Jen opening gifts, baby belly and all:)

Let's see-then Jen had the baby-William Rowdy, whom they will call Rowdy. He was born about a week ago. I haven't visited yet (have had bad sinus infection and want to be completely non-sick when I get to hold him:))

I went to the opening game for UT which is fairly unusual since I am a classic fair weather fan. I only like to go to games that are cool (like football was intended to be in you are from NW Ohio.) But-I had the chance to join the Vol Navy and I could not pass it up. Here are some pics from the water.

Scott and I before the game.
All the ladies on the back of the boat.

And then one of the boys.

The weather has been a bit odd here in E. TN. It went from summer with highs around 85 during the day to fall with highs around 70 during the day overnight it seems. I think this drastic temp change led to my aforementioned sinus infection. I did have a chance, while stuffed up and quarantined at home, to decorate for Halloween. I am fairly proud of my mantle this year. Take a look:

Here is one of the corners of my long living room mantle. This year I used books for height. I like how it turned out. The middle of the mantle. The crows are a recent addition this year. Molly thought they were a toy so I had to put them up while she was outside so she wouldn't notice where they went. Feel free to make comments about my Martha Stewart-equness;)

Speaking of Molly, and Bailey too. They are doing very well. I have some cute, recent photos of them:

Molly lounging on my new quilt. I will have finished pics of my bedroom to share later-so more on that quilt and the wall color to come.

Bailey, sleeping wrapped in a different quilt on the couch.
And then awake after the flash went off. Adorable.

Ok-all caught up. I will do better in October!!!!

Lake, Pool Repeat and the Tale of Two Toddlers

I have been mildly absent from my blog this summer. I am having a great sunshiney time, but I feel my readers might get bored of hearing about lake, pool, beers-repeat. But that is more or less what I have been up too.

A few weeks ago my mom came for a visit. We had lots of shopping and sun fun. She had a special request while she was in town-she wanted to meet Lottie Sue. We met up with Jen and the small toddler of the hour for lunch. Here is a photo of the three of them;)

Later that same day we went to a BBQ. Mom won over her second toddler of the trip-Carter. Here they are eating smores. To clarify-Carter is noshing on smores and mom is more or less supervising.

Note- I have already begun to plan the simple, outdoors wedding of Lottie Sue and Carter. If only their parents would let me arrange their marriages;)

Mom and I did much shopping and bought some really cute stuff for the house-more details to come of course.

Next up I will have the garagement update.

Forever

Take a moment and hit this video. If you can watch it without wanting to dance, perhaps cry and most definitely smile then maybe we should not be friendly anymore. I love it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0

The big red mixer, ladies who lunch (and one small lad too), the lake and curls for summer.

I have been absent from the blogosphere for TOO LONG!! Not to fear, while I haven't been posting much, I have been doing lots and taking pictures. Here is a quick update on life as I know it. Scott got me the coveted kitchenaid mixer for my birthday which I could not WAIT to try out. Oddly the first thing I tried was cookies, and not cupcakes. Honestly though-I thought whats harder to mix then chocolate chip oatmeal cookies? With my handy tool it was a breeze.

Look what I made:)

Isn't she pretty??

Then I had a chance to catch up with Jen, Patterson, Lottie Sue and Cassady. LS is gaining personality by the nano-second. She was so good at the sushi place. Here is the photographic proof:)
Stone cold stare....not sure why she wont smile for me...hell she hardly stays still for me:)

Holding "her" baby. Look how big Cassady is getting

She couldn't hold the giggle in anymore.

It looks like Cassady is almost as big as she was.

LS getting pointers from her mom, Jen. We kept telling her that her baby brother is very much on the way. As an oldest child myself I feel her pain;)

Giving him a kiss. She was so very gentle.

All the ladies and one tiny lad.

Jen smiling for the camera.

We have spent many a weekend night on the boat heading to dinners near and far. This evening we took all the kids (and no this is not even half of them.) When we got back we were all tired and the kids begged a ride in the cart. We loaded them up and let the boys drag them back to the car. I wish I fit in the cart.

The Friday before July 4th we did a lake day for adults only. So relaxing. We had beautiful weather. We headed to PJ's for dinner and a scary round of karoke. Why do some ppl think they can sing in public? I for one am awful and only sing when forced...under threat of bodily harm. Here are the ladies...


Then one of the scary karoke people came up to our table to "ask us a question." The menfolk skittered away like it was their job, leaving us ladies to handle the red-neck crazy. Here are the guys on the way to the boat. I took this from our table where I was stuck "helping" the karoke lady.

And then July 4th and my favorite activity. SPARKLERS. Also-I am trying something different with my hair. Letting it be curly during the summer so I don't have to blow dry it. Its a nice wash and wear option. Feel free to comment. You know how I enjoy hair comments;)