Halloween 2024!

Happy Halloween!  We always love a good dress up day!  (Well, some of us do...JB and James obliged if they must). For the first year ever, we had a scary kid costume, which just shows you how quickly they are growing up.  Without further adieu: our grim reaper, our minion and our policeman with his K9 unit!

Like last year, the Ford put on a sweet little get together at the clubhouse before directing us down one long road where we could trick-or-treat and meet up with friends. The kids had a blast running around, and most of the costumes were off by the time we started to walk (as it was so hot!!)

The blowup costume did not make it to school so Maryn went in as a Swiftie. Fortunately, she has a lot in her closet to support that wardrobe change.

Another fun Halloween!  And now it's off to November!  A quiet November?? Not a chance... :)

A (killer) prom, ponies and painted pumpkins

Some friends of ours are fantastic at themed events, particularly dark ones around Halloween. Last year was the Edgar Allen Poe-themed escape room party, this year was....80s killer prom.  It did not disappoint!

I found a fantastic vintage dress on eBay that fit perfectly.  I loved it!

James spiked his hair and donned a matching red tie and cummerbund. About as close as he'll get to a themed outfit :) But he looked like quite the HS stud.  

Super fun night with a super fun group of friends.  Can't wait to see what next year holds!

This same weekend...because it's October and we must cram everything we possibly can in October these days...also included a fun outing for the kiddos as the equestrian center.  Everyone enjoyed cookies and cider while they painted some pumpkins and rode the sweet ponies.

Kids did great on their pumpkins! We had a little community-wide contest and JB won for "scariest". 

I thought this may count for our pumpkins this year but NO, the kids insisted that we also carve pumpkins. We headed down to our local church for some real beauties and then we carved them, right in time for Halloween.

Added another Sasser to the family!

The whole purpose of our Chattanooga trip - the wedding - took place on a beautiful hill in North Georgia, right across the Tennessee line.  Everything was gorgeous, especially the bride and the flowers!  (The event venue is in the middle of a flower farm with lovely dahlias and zinnias and other varietals) We all got dressed up and you better believe I took a ton of pictures.

While we waited the boys got to interact with the farm sheep and horses.  This provided a lot of good entertainment (and opportunity to get dirty before the wedding even began!)

After a quick ceremony, the couple hosted a quick cocktail reception, more family pictures, and then a lovely meal inside of the barn.  

I realize this was Wesley's first wedding and the first wedding that JB and Maryn probably remember! (JB was the ring bearer for Chris and Nicole while Maryn was in utero, and then for Shawntel and Kelly when Maryn was only 1 year old.)  This is certainly a wedding they will not forget. We had a beautiful time.

Best wishes for a lifetime of happiness to Bryant and Rachel Sasser!  Thank you for including us in your special day!  :)

Tennessee Aquarium with the other Sassers

Everyone told us to check out the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga with the kiddos - and I'm glad we did!  I believe the adults enjoyed it as much as the littler ones.  We explored it with our Sasser cousins and everyone did great. 

Not every day that Gia has all 6 of her grandchildren together, so I took as many group pictures as I could.  Gotta have a whole bunch for her annual calendar! :)

The aquarium had lots of touch tanks, which are always a hit with the kiddos. Well, also, ME, I love a touch tank...

Wesley always gets excited when he sees a "Mickey Bobby". Such a sweet picture of the boys.

The aquarium trip reminded me of our times living in or visiting Atlanta (near our Sasser family) and hitting up the zoo and aquarium and botanical gardens and all the things we used to do.  I'm so thankful there are still these meet ups, now that we live farther away!