Halloween 2018

This year the kids decided to be a fox (Kate) and a soldier (Mason) for Halloween.  The first Halloween event of the year was Trunk-or-Treat at Good Samaritan.  Mrs. Marleni was at our house that afternoon with the girls since their power was still out from the hurricane so the Bruner girls ended up going with us to the event!  It was a nice distraction after the storm.

 The Fox and the Soldier

 Kate, Millie, CJ, Bre-Ana and Mason at the Good Sam Festival

The Sunday night before Halloween, we enjoyed the church trunk-or-treat event. It's always so much fun and Gigi and Granddaddy do a wonderful job organizing it! 

 Ready to Trunk-or-Treat!

 This year, we decorated our trunk and passed out candy.  I don't know why we haven't done it before because I had a lot of fun! It was a last minute decision so we ran up to the Dollar Tree on Saturday afternoon to grab decorations.  I had no idea how to put it all together but I think it turned out cute!  Maybe next year I'll put more thought into it and come up with a theme. 

 The group picture!

 Kate, Audrey (Wonder Woman) and Izzy (Donut)

Mason and Camden (Ninja)

We had a great time!

On Halloween night, we had several families meet at my parent's house for our annual Halloween dinner and trick-or-treating!  We started a little early this year at 6:30 while it was still light out and it was so nice being able to see for the first half of trick-or-treating.  Of course once it got dark, we turned on the kid's light up buckets and we had no problem spotting them!

Group picture!

Mason and Levi

Izzy and Kate

Happy Halloween!

Hurricane Michael

On Wednesday, October 10th Hurricane Michael hit the Mexico Beach area as a category 4, only 2 mph shy of a category 5. It devastated that area and up through Marianna but thankfully Tallahassee has spared.  I learned a lesson after seeing all the devastation just 45 minutes west of us - if another storm makes a direct hit like that on Tallahassee, we will evacuate!

Schools announced they were going to be closed Tuesday through Friday that week and state offices followed with the same closures.  We were prepared to be without power for several days but thankfully we were only without power for 36 hours.  Others in Tallahassee were not so lucky (including Nanny who was without power for seven days) so we were counting our blessings!  My friend Brittany lives in  a part of Wakulla county that was under mandatory evacuation, so she ended up staying with us for two days during the storm (Wednesday and Thursday).  Then on Friday, Mimi and Papa came over to enjoy some cool air and a hot meal.  On Saturday, Mrs. Marleni and the girls came over to enjoy the cool air and use our washing machine to wash several loads of clothes. We had a lot of guests and it was nice to be able to help!

Of course no hurricane is complete without some funny memes.  These made me laugh... 

We did our typical pizza meal before the storm hit so we would have plenty of leftovers.  We went up to Target on Tuesday afternoon (which was surprisingly not crowded) and then ran up to Marcos for pizza.

Playing at the shopping center playground while waiting on our pizza.  You can't tell from this picture but it was breezy with huge dark clouds looming. 

 This is how Daddy and Maverick spent most of their time during the storm.  The hurricane hit us Wednesday around lunchtime so it was hard not to stare out the window and listen to the wind howl.

Brittany, the kids and I spent our time working on this puzzle.  We tried to complete it but somehow we were missing four pieces.  This was such a challenge but I'm glad we were able to get it done!

 After the storm, our yard looked like nothing had happened.  We had a few limbs down in the backyard but the front yard was great with only a few singles laying in the grass.  On Thursday, we ventured up to the top of the road and saw we were blocked in from both directions due to numerous trees on the road.  Neighbors were already out early that morning cutting up trees and working careful around all the down power lines.  Makes me nervous!  A utility team from Denton, TX arrived Thursday afternoon and was assigned to our area.  By 10pm Thursday night, we had power back!

  Neighbors working to clear the road of all the fallen trees.

 These two worked hard in the yard and were very sweet to one another during the storm and afterwards.  I'm so thankful everyone was safe and none of our loved ones suffered any major damage.  Now let's hope another hurricane doesn't come through anytime soon.  

Pumpkin Patch Pictures 2018

We met Mrs. Betsy a couple weeks ago at the pumpkin patch on Mahan for our annual pumpkin pictures. These are always some of my favorites and this year didn't disappoint! It was challenging with the sun and you should have seen me posing off to the side, trying to block the sun! 

 When did he start looking so big?!

 Our pretty girl!

Love my little pumpkins! 

Thank you Mrs. Betsy for the wonderful pictures!

Mason's 6th Birthday!

Mason is SIX!!  I can't believe our baby is already six years old.  Mason had a great birthday celebration weekend starting with Granddaddy dropping off doughnuts on Friday morning, his birthday.  He decided to take donuts to his class that morning for his class celebration and Ms. Doyle had made him a special birthday hat too!  

So special that Granddaddy dropped off breakfast for us!

Our big six year old!

Mason and Ms. Doyle

Special birthday crown in green!

A quick picture with mommy!

Friday night, we invited our family over for a birthday celebration at home with hamburgers and hot dogs!

On Saturday, Mason celebrated with a party at SkyZone (the indoor trampoline park)!  We had so much fun! 

 

 

Mason and Connor (his birthday twin from Good Sam) 

 Levi, Mason and Sawyer 

 Mason, Kaz, Camden and Sam

 Mason and Anabelle (friends from Good Sam and in the same Kindergarten class!)

 Mason, Rhiannon and Robin

 Happy 6th Birthday, Mason!