Pickwick

Matt grew up going to his dad's lakehouse in Pickwick. As a result, he grew up with a love for the water. Although my family did not have a lakehouse, we did have a boat and so we too grew up with a great appreciation for all that lake life has to offer. We are very grateful that our children are able to experience lake life as well. So, this past Saturday morning we loaded up and took a trip to pickwick to see Grandpa, Grams, Uncle Michael and Uncle Christopher. It was definitely too cold to enjoy the water activities that lake life has to offer. However, we did enjoy spending time with good friends the Johnsons and the Haffleys. Grandpa and I also tried to introduce Ella Catherine to one of my favorite winter activities, roasting marshmallows but she wanted nothing to do with it. She preferred her marshmallows not gooey. Oh well, maybe when she is older.
We also brought Elway with us this trip to test out his new hunting skills in a large body of water. He did very well and it seems has gotten over his extreme dislike for the cold water(key to being successful as a duck hunting dog). He jumped in without hesitation and retrieved every dummy that was thrown.

Flyfishing, Football and more Firsts

Tickle Time!!
Good times with Nana
Ella Catherine and I after church. Carter was fast asleep in his carseat.
Sitting up and having fun
Matt and the guide Matt Milner with his catch

My mom and dad drove up last Thursday afternoon. Matt, my dad, his dad and Michael all joined our friends the Coles along with other friends for a guys flyfishing trip. They all traveled to their second home in Arkansas for good fishing, good food and great memories. While they were fishing, my mom stayed here with the kids and I for some fun of our own. As I mentioned before, Matt and I have season football tickets to the Vanderbilt games. Vanderbilt played Kentucky last weekend and the weather was PERFECT! So, Miss Rachel came over and babysat the kids while mom and I went to the game. Unfotrunately, Vanderbilt did not win but they did play the best I have seen them play all year and we enjoyed the game a lot.
Carter has been sitting up for very short periods by himself since he was about 5 months old. Well, early last week he decided it was time to sit up like a big boy and he is now sitting unassisted for long periods of time. In addition, he is getting up on his knees and rocking then scooting backward. So, we may have a crawling baby by Christmas. time will tell....

Trick or Treat

Our little Denver Broncos cheerleader all ready for trick or treating.

Ella Catherine and Carter before the school fall festival

Our little sock monkey happy as usual and all ready for the Big event. Sisterly and brotherly Love The whole gang: Carter (sock monkey), Ella Catherine (cheerleader), Erich (scarecrow) and Reese (Fireman) knocking on the first door of the evening, "Trick or Treat" Ella Catherine assessing her "prize"

More Candy! Carter's first Halloween and first trick or treat experience. He was a good sport and just chilled out while his big sister ran from door to door.



I don't know that as a kid I enjoyed Halloween quite as much as I do now. Ever since I started working with children it has been one of my favorite holidays. Now that I have kids, it is even more fun. So, Matt stating that Halloween night and trick or treating was really all about me versus the kids might have been a half truth. However, when he saw his daughter anxiously run up to that first door, say trick or treat and get so excited about her "take" he realized that it was also about our sweet little girl. We had planned on attending the Vanderbilt trick or treat on Friday night but the rain ruined those plans. So, we invited our friends the Sams to come over and go trick or treating in our neighborhood Halloween night. Ella Catherine had been learning all about the fall and Halloween in school. So, she could tell you she was supposed to knock on the door and say trick or treat when they answered, but we weren't so sure she wouldn't freeze up when the door opened. Just to make sure she could put those words into action, we had a few practice rounds before the Sams arrived and we left the house. She was so happy when the Sams got to the house. Her and Reese played a little before we loaded the little ones in the strollers and headed out for a night of trick or treating. I don't think I will ever forget how excited she got after every house and how she woud run down the drive way smiling and screaming "I'm going to go to another house!" Carter was obviously clueless as to what was going one but he loves his big sister and he loved watching her run back up to the stroller after each house. We had a GREAT night.