Girls Weekend Off

Mary Paul's Morning Mist Cottage

All of us girls standing on the deck overlooking the creek

This past weekend the girls from my life group from church and I took a little trip up to Shane's family's cottage up in Ellijay, GA. We packed all 7 of us into an Expedition and made the road trip up there late Thursday night and came back Saturday night. We had a much needed time of relaxing, playing games by the fire, hanging out, shopping, eating, and just being away from home and kids. The leaves were still pretty although many had already fallen. It is so relaxing and peaceful up there that I just didn't want to come home. I'm already trying to plan a time that Shane and I can get back up there soon.

The view of the creek running beside the cottage

Black Friday

I'm gearing up for the day after Thanksgiving sales around here. I haven't bought a single thing yet for anyone, but I know the time has come to begin figuring out what to get everyone. One thing I like to do this time of year in preparing for the after Thanksgiving sales is to check on-line for websites which will list all the sales for the day after Thanksgiving, otherwise known as Black Friday. You can begin checking on the sales for almost all the major stores such as Target, Best Buy, Toys-R-Us, etc. Just do a google search for Black Friday ads and you can go to various different sites that list all the Black Friday ads as they become available. I love to be able to see what's available at each store to be able to compare everything and read reviews on everything way ahead of time. Happy Shopping!

More Leg Trouble

Well, Shane may have torn his Achilles tendon last week during football practice. It was the last week of practice, too. He had torn his plantaris tendon back in January so when Shane injured his leg this time, he thought he just re-injured this tendon again. He continued to be in pain and it just didn't seem to be getting any better so he went to see a doctor on Monday. His initial diagnosis was a torn Achilles tendon and sent him for an MRI that night. The Achilles tendon is the big tendon that strethes from your calf muscle to your heel. Shane goes back today for his follow up appointment and to find out the results. If it is torn, Shane will probably need surgery immediately. Apparently, this kind of injury should be repaired within two weeks before the tendon begins to lose some of its elasticity. I've read that this kind of injury takes a LONG time to heal so hopefully it will end up being something else or maybe will only be partially torn. Of course, this is such a busy time of year with so many upcoming activities that this is the last thing Shane wants to have to go through. For now, Shane is back to walking around in the big boot again. We have a big ski trip planned this winter and Shane is hoping that whatever is wrong will be healed in time for that. Anyway, we'll find out what's wrong today. Pray that all goes well.
Update: We found out that Shane did not tear his Achilles but rather ruptured his gastrocnemius muscle (calf muscle) and won't require surgery. Hooray!!! It'll only be about 6 weeks recovery time as opposed to over 6 months recovery if it had been the Achilles. He still has to wear the big boot for another couple of weeks though and go through some physical therapy.

Ocmulgee Indian Mounds

Walking up the hill

The boys from the kindergarten classes on the top of the biggest mound

Today has been such a crazy, busy day. Dalton had a field trip today to Ocmulgee Indian Mounds in Macon this morning. It was such a beautiful day for a field trip out there. I used to go here a lot when I was young, but haven't really been since then. The kids watched a video of the indian mounds and looked at some artifacts and replicas of old, Indian treasures and then we did some walking. We walked and walked and walked! We went walking around to many of the different mounds around the facilities. Then the kids made some clay pots and had their snacks before departing for home. It was a really a neat field trip.

Making clay pots

The entrance of the Earthen Lodge

After the field trip, Dalton and I headed up to Atlanta for an auditon he had. This was the first time he had been called for anything. It was an audition for something to do with Nickelodeon. We'll see if anything comes of it. I really don't expect to hear back from them, but it was a good experience. I'm exhausted from all this running around. I can't wait to go to sleep tonight!!

Reformation Day

Joseph

Balancing an egg

Dalton's school celebrated Reformation Day today. October 31 stands as the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg and brought about the Protestant Reformation. His class had a pizza party, played outdoor games, and dressed up as Bible characters. Dalton dressed up as Joseph with his coat of many colors thanks to some nifty, quick, sewing by my mom. It was a beautiful day and all the kids had lots of fun!

Getting ready for the 3 legged race

Pizza

Fast Asleep

When I arrived home tonight with the boys around 9:00 I looked in the back and saw this----------->
Ouch!! I'm always amazed that they don't wake up in agony from how their necks have been contorted.

Fall Festival...Brrrrr....

Dr. Dalton and Firefighter Colby

My little public servant

Dr. Dalton

My church had it's annual Fall Festival last night. It's always tons of fun for the boys. It's also so fun to see everyone that's there and all the cute little costumes the kids have on (and some adults too). The kids were able to play games, get candy, play on the jumpy inflatable things, and eat some yummy food. The boys had a blast dressing up as Dr. Dalton and Firefighter Colby. It was freezing last night though. I think it was in the 40s with a bit of a breeze blowing as well. BBBRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!

Cold weather sure has blown in early this year. Just last week I pulled out the boys' long sleeve shirts and now I had to get their sweaters and jackets out too. Whew! I think I'm almost ready for springtime. Just not a big fan of colder weather.

Here's Dalton and Colby from last year. Just too stinkin' cute!