What's that smell?

We were on our way back from Georgia yesterday when we got caught in traffic behind some big tractor-trailers with smelly exhaust.

From the back seat, a small voice is heard:

"What in the world is that funk nasty smell???"

Just a little more evidence that Will is a chip off the old block.

Halloween

I recently realized I had never published an actual Halloween post, so here goes, just in time for Christmas:

At parental urging, Will drew his pattern before starting to carve. As you can see, the results were remarkably similar to the plan!

Sophie helped Daddy with his pumpkin...

...and also started her own, which was finished by Mom and sits next to her below.

Hippie Mimi made a return trip...

...and Mom had to figure out a Halloween-themed fruit item for Sophie's school party (which she unfortunately missed due to illness).

(Thank you, internet, for the fruit-salad-orange-pumpkin idea!)

Thanksgiving

A photo from Will's Thanksgiving program (yes, that's Pilgrim Will, not Warlock Will) and a few from our Thanksgiving in Michigan...

(In the interest of full disclosure, I did not take most of these pictures.)

Breakfast with Santa

The ornament on the left was the model. I thought it was an interesting contrast with Sophie's work. Our girl likes some bling!

Ridiculous

Sophie seems to go to the bathroom A LOT. I think she is impatient, and goes a little at a time.

The other day we were in Toys R Us. Almost immediately upon entering the store, she requested to go to the bathroom. I'd taken her at Walgreens about 20 minutes before, so I put off her requests. "OK, we'll go in a little while."

After occasionally bringing up her need a few times and my dismissing it, she looked at me and said seriously, "Mama, I need to go to the bathroom RIDICULOUS BAD."

I don't have to tell you our next stop.

People are crazy!

Will is listening to Billy Currington's "People Are Crazy".

Will: Mama, this song lies to me. It should say, "God is great, people are good, and BEER is crazy!"

School Pictures

Turley is underway!

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Turley is taking shape. Sheetrock is going in now, with HVAC installation on Monday. The exterior is just about done.

Myself and a helper installed all the paint you see. I had some special help with the shutters as well!

Watsonwood is done!

Update from Andy:

Watsonwood is done and has been on the market for one week. We passed our final inspection today. Unfortunately, tomorrow we will be digging up a strech of the beautiful yard to replace the water line as I've determined that it won't provide the velocity of water that will be needed. It is the only pipe that wasn't replaced during the remodel. I'll let the before and after pictures do the talking; however do note that the house has these features: All new siding, shutters, storm windows, reglazed windows, all new plumbing, a new deck, a new half bath, new electric service and panel, new cabinets, new gutters, regraded yard, new bath, and of course new paint and refinished floors.

This is a great house in a great neighborhood if you know someone in the market!

Big Brother, Part 2

Will: Mama, I don't want you thinking I don't love Sophie, because I do...

Mom: OK.

Will: But sometimes, she is just hard to love. All she likes to do is irritate me!

Big Brother, Part 1

We are in the car on our way to school one morning.

Will: Sophie, you are such an irritater!

Sophie (in her sweetest, calmest voice): No I'm not... YOU are irritating to ME.

Will: See, that is what I am talking about. That is you being irritating to me!

Miss Priss

If there are still any lingering doubts about Sophie's gender, I think those can be laid to rest, although I do think her makeup application skills could still be honed a bit...

My Baby

Sophie is such a big girl now, I seldom catch her looking or acting babyish, so I had to capture this moment, when she was exhausted from a friend's birthday party and looking much more like my sweet baby than usual.

Ring Farm

This October marked our 3rd annual trip to the Ring Farm. We had a great time as always. Thanks to everyone who came! :)

Trunk Or Treat

We had a lot of fun at Trunk or Treat this year!