We Saw a Bear! (And some Deer!)

While we were driving along, Jonathan and I got to see this little bear cub. He was so cute! It was dusk, so the pictures are dark....but it was really exciting! Jonny had really wanted to see a bear! He took these pictures!

Here is a deer too... a bit anti-climactic....but still really neat!

More Cades Cove

More of Cades Cove.....These trips always remind me of Dad and of our family vacations! Jonathan and I have been laughing at how we find ourselves enjoying all the things we hated about these trips as children. He also said (as we drove through very crowded Gatilinburg) that he now knows why his dad had been so resistant about letting them go tour the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum!

This type of barn style actually comes from Germany....and is found only in Eastern Tennessee and parts of North Carolina. It is this type of barn that the Richmont in designed after.

Cades Cove

Our favorite place to go in the Smokies is Cades Cove. You never get tired of the views and the history!

Our Trip to the Richmont

Last year for my birthday, my 6th graders gave me a gift certificate to the Richmont Bed and Breakfast in Townsend, Tennessee. We decided to save it and use it in the fall....That way our house would be finished AND the leaves and weather would be beautiful. We had been told that this autumn would not be as pretty because of the significant drought affecting the entire South, but it was still very beautiful to us!!

Keri and Andrew first told us about the Richmont. They came here on their honeymoon and had raved about how peaceful and cozy it was. I had seen it in Southern Living....and for our 2nd anniversary in 1998 we visited the Richmont ourselves. We loved it...just like they said we would. They have been back two other times, but this is our first time back since that 1998 trip. You can see all about it on www.RichmontInn.com!

It's OURS!!

Just a quick update without pictures.......

We closed on our house on Monday, October 15th!! We have not moved in yet....but we have started moving some things in, and we have already unpacked some already!

Just wanted you to know!

Yippeeee!

For CC!

Here is CC and her sweet babies!! Have you ever seen so many cute girls in one chair?? CC included!! :)

Hanging Out with Jen and Al

Jen, Al, and the boys came for a quick visit over fall break. While they were here, we moved some things into our house since we PASSED INSPECTION!!!!!! Al, Jonathan and Andrew moved almost all of our stuff out of storage using a U Haul. This was the night before....we were playing a fun game of Cranium! Above is a picture of the boys regrouping right before the girls whipped them!! Below is an awake Jen---all bundled up---and playing at MIDNIGHT!! WOW!

This is a picture of the bonfire that the boys set AFTER our midnight game of Cranium. They were a little sorry they stayed up this late the next morning when it was time to rent the U Haul!! But, you gotta love them!!

Is this what I think it is!!??

My mama always taught me to crack an egg into a bowl before you add it to a recipe. Boy, were we all glad I used a bowl this day! I cracked a jumbo egg.....thought it was really heavy......and out came the white, the yolk, and this!! Is this a chicken??? I made everyone look at it. Keri finally made me throw it away....but not before I disected it! Everyone thought I was crazy for taking this picture......BUT I NEED ANSWERS!! What is this????

Kevin and Mitcie's Wedding

Keri's brother, Kevin, and his fiance, Mitcie, were married last Saturday at the Memphis Botanic Gardens. Aren't those flower girls sweet!!??

Kevin had the sweetest smile on his face as Mitcie walked down the aisle to him!

Here Mitcie is looking down at her son, Cade, who gave her away.

Getting ready for the kiss..........

More Progress!!

Carpet has been installed in the master bedroom and closet.

Our bathtub is being trimmed.

This master bathroom cabinet is finally finished!

Pat finished our upper cabinet boxes, and he and Jonathan spent a whole Saturday hanging them (and a few of the doors!).

The 3rd Grade Olympics

Here we are....in our togas! We were so excited and ready for this big day! We had been studying about the Greeks and the first Olympics, building our chariots, and designing our togas. We had been working closely with the Junior Class---each Junior had 2-3 third grade partners---to build our chariots! This had been a 3-week endeavor!! The day was perfect.....just unexpectedly hot! Who would guess that it would be 96 degrees on October 5th?

My sweet friend (and aide), Mrs. White......looking like the Greek version of Scarlet O'Hara in her draperies! (Her own quote!)

The Greek Feast

Here Aries and Poseidon chit chat during the Grand Greek Feast.

The Greek gods meet on Mt. Olympus......Let the Games BEGIN!

Wrestling for the Gold!