Fun Fall Weekend (mostly)

We had planned to spend a long weekend camping in Branson this past weekend since Karissa had a half day Thursday and was off on Friday from school. She ended up out of school all week with a stomach bug that lasted into the weekend:( We made the most of it, though. We did what we could when she was feeling up to it and when she was having stomach pains, we let her rest in the camper. We went to SDC on Friday to check out the Harvest Festival before they switched everything over for the Christmas season. Karissa spent most of her time in the umbrella stroller but we let Kyleigh ride a few rides and we enjoyed watching the lumberjacks. On Saturday afternoon, once the weather warmed a bit, we headed down to Dogwood Canyon. It is beautiful down there, especially this time of the year. Again, since Karissa wasn't feeling well, we put both girls in the bike trailer so poor Jeff had 80+ extra pounds to pull around! The campground had a Haunted Hayride so we enjoyed that in the evening. It was nice to get away and we are SO thankful that Karissa is all better now! Thanks so much for all your prayers!

Kyleigh's School Pictures

Even though I take pictures of the girls constantly, Kyleigh has never been one to enjoy having her picture taken professionally. I rarely purchase the ones from daycare (they never turn out ... I don't think they really try very hard to get a good picture!) The FUNNIEST one was a couple of years ago when both girls were at the daycare and I had their picture taken. I HAD to buy it b/c it is SO HILARIOUS! You can just tell that Kyleigh is thinking to herself "I'm NOT going to smile and you can't make me!!"



This year was no exception. They weren't terrible, but she looks like she is in pain in most of them;) Oh well, perhaps when I take her for her 4 year pictures later this week, she will surprise me!

Mega Party

Some photos from the Mega Party (party they throw for the kids after their magazine sale fundraiser). Always LOUD but always fun ;)

POMS

Karissa went to POMS Dance camp this week after school and they danced with the LRHS cheerleaders at the football game Friday night to "Girls Just Want To Have Fun". She had a great time! It was cute to watch them (esp the little ones when half of them were going one direction the the other half another directon!) There were 140 girls in the show ... so kinda of hard to find your own child and keep track of them ;) I didn't get any good pictures of the actual show because I was up in the stands trying to corral Kyleigh and videotape at the same time...

Lunch with my 1st Grader

I had lunch with Karissa for the first time this school year yesterday. It was my day to be the library volunteer and so I kept the tradition we had started last year and also had lunch with her in the classroom. It's a fun time for us to chat and she can show me all the things they do each day.

She is especially fond of the class bunny, Daisy =)

Gymnastics

The girls start up gymnastics again this afternoon. They are excited...especially Kyleigh! We watched a gymnastics tournament on tv over the weekend and they loved watching the big girls =) I'm secretly hoping they DON'T want to compete one day but it's cute to watch them learn right now.

Cades Cove

We drove out to Cades Cove one day while on vacation. It's a scenic drive, once you get there. We stopped and walked around some of the old homesteads, churches, cemeteries, and the mill. I should have taked more pictures but trust me it's beautiful!

Horses are a girl's best friend?;)

We took the girls horsebackriding while on vacation in Tennessee. They both LOVED it! Kyleigh was too young for her own horse so she doubled up with her daddy. Karissa was nervous at first, but got the hang of it pretty quickly! Kyleigh talked to her horse THE ENTIRE TIME ("it's okay Sydney ... you can go now", "Sydney!" What did the man say about eating the grass!" etc) It was hilarious!

(Karissa rode Dolly, Kyleigh had Sydney and I had Biscuit)

First Day of 1st Grade

Today was Karissa's first day of school. She has been looking forward to this day ever since the last day of kindergarten;) It was MUCH less emotional for Jeff and I to drop her off for 1st grade than it was last year. She has a great teacher, Mrs. Reichard.

We started the day with Krispy Kremes for breakfast and will take her to her favorite chinese resturant for dinner. She has had nothing but good things to say about her first day. She is especially excited that they have a bunny in their classroom =)

Last Day at home...

Tomorrow is the first day of school! I can't believe it's here, already!! We went to Open House last night to meet Karissa's new teacher, Mrs. Reichard. She seems really great. We didn't stay long since Karissa wasn't supposed to be out and about (to keep her from catching anything.)

I had planned to take the girls to do something FUN today, since it was our last day together before school starts up again but since we needed to stick around the house, we had to improvise. The girls drew some pictures. Then we made some yummy brownies and took them to the firestation to thank them for all they do (I stole the idea from a friend who had done it with her kids). Then, we finished a cute movie, "The Tale of Despereaux" that we had checked out from the library last week. The girls have also had fun playing "house" together ... despite Karissa's sore bum=)

Maybe we can find something else special to do this evening after Daddy gets home from work...

Happy Tuesday!!

Last Camping Trip...

This past week was the LAST camping trip before school starts up again. We relaxed and didn't do a whole lot but enjoyed the pool, cooler weather, and more time with friends :)