Hope You Had a Wonderful Easter!!

Duff and Baby Duff

One of my favorite chefs is Duff Goldman...this quirky guy who does these killer cakes. He's made so many neat kinds...and most of them don't even look like cakes. They are works of art and more like sculptures.






We watch his show Ace of Cakes on Food Network quite often. When our youngest was smaller than he is now...and when he didn't have any hair or at least not much hair, Jim made a comment that he looked a little like Duff.

So, we off and on called our youngest Baby Duff or Little Duff. You be the judge...just add a little goatee...

Born to Be Wild

My Harley Boys.

Christmas Tradition Number 5

Each year we get pictures with Santa. This year we did it a little later than normal because the crowds were so big and the lines were so long. This year both boys sat on Santa's lap for the pose.

I continued this tradition even when I was in college. I hope the boys find it as much fun as I did.

Fun in the Leaves

1. Getting Ready








2. The Big Leap

3. A Soft Landing

My Favorite Season

Fall is my favorite time of the year. I love football, cooler weather, the fall food and the fall smells. A couple of evenings ago I opened the back door and the crisp cool air hit my face. There was a faint smell of burning wood in the air too. These are the smells that I just love!!

I love everything about this season except raking the leaves in our yard. Our yard is great in the winter...it's huge and shady thanks to our pin oak in the back. It's the same tree that I hate this time of year as the leaves continue to fall.....and fall....and fall.....and fall.

To raise funds, our youth group volunteered of their time to help rake yards this year. So, Jim and our oldest had some help with the yard this year. J had his little rake and was helping to gather some of the leaves together so they could be mulched or bagged.

I think he had a lot of fun in the leaves once they got raked. He ran and jumped in them. He even posed with his little
brother.

The days are getting shorter, but the chill is in the air, the colors have changed into bright oranges, reds and yellows. The smells of the fall are in the air...the crunch of leave are under our feet.

Happy Fall!!

May the Force Be With You This Halloween!!

Halloween is a special time at our house. Every year our oldest picks out what he wants to be and it becomes the theme for us. Each year at church, we have an event called Trunk or Treat. The kids from our children's choir dress up along with some of the children from the neighborhood. Sometimes the youth join in by dressing up and having a party for the kids too.

The past couple of years I haven't been able to dress up because I've taught Bible studies and had worship team rehearsal. One year when our oldest was about two, he went as Mickey Mouse, I went as Minnie and Jim went as Goofy.

This year, since I'm still on maternity leave, I was able again to dress up with my guys. Our theme this year was Star Wars. Our oldest went as Anakin Skywalker; our youngest was Yoda; Mitchie, our dog was Darth Vader; Jim was Obi Juan Kenobi, and I was Leia.

Later tonight is Trick or Treat...and barring rain we'll be out in force (or out in "The Force") again.

Happy Halloween!!

PS And when you're Trick or Treating, our oldest says you need to say,

"Trick or Treat,

Smell my feet,

Give me something good to eat.

If you don't,

I don't care,

I'll pull down my underwear."

He continued, "Mom, those girls got it wrong...they said:

'Trick or Treat,
Smell my feet,
Give me something good to eat.
If you don't,
I don't care,
I'll pull down your underwear.'

That's just wrong...it's MY underwear, not YOUR underwear...they don't have it right at all."

Here's wishing you lots of treats and no tricks.

Say Hello to Scarecrow Jake

When we were on our way home from our Ohio trip a couple of weeks ago, we saw that this one farm had a build your own scarecrow part. By the time we got there, however, the things had all been put away. I was sad cuz we couldn't make that cool memory together.

But when we were on the way home, the guys decided that we could make a scarecrow at home instead. So, Thursday night they put together this little guy. Complete with his smiling face, jeans, shirt and Braves hat.

We hung it on the sign on our front porch. Jake's so proud of his new little friend. I hope he hangs around for a long time.