Virginia Creeper Trail

I look a bit sick and apprehensive don't I? Well, this was after a loooooong van ride up a mountain that took us on ALOT of twists and turns. I was sitting in the middle of the middle seat so for this girl that gets carsick on occassion, I was not doing well. I had to ask one of the youth to empty out their Target bag so I could use it if I needed to. I was SO sick. It was an awful ride. Our driver was just speeding up the mountain on those twists and turns. Not to mention that I was already nervous about this bike ride. I hadn't been on a bike in 5 1/2 years and had never gone on a ride that was 17 1/2 miles long. So this picture is taken after the horrible van ride and right before I started the long journey on the bike.

I MADE IT!!! 17 1/2 miles on the bike.

Most of it was pretty easy, the last couple of miles got a bit difficult but I made it and was VERY proud of myself.

the BEAUTIFUL fall leaves...this picture doesn't do it justice! It was just beautiful...we went on the most colorful weekend of the year! The sweet Bell family enjoying lunch. In the Country where we stopped to eat. It was delicious!

Chris and Martin

J and I

sweet Bell girls

Chris and Ben

the Keiths

mother and son biking on our trip. :)

Josh sharing a short devotion with the group before they embarked on the second half of the journey...the harder part that two other ladies and I skipped. :)

Melanie and Mary Ann

Bell Girls

Daley's

Partial Group Pic

Somebody took a picture of the whole group, but I never got it....hmmmm. I'll be looking for that one now.

Fall Family Day

Our church hosted a Fall Family Day Barbecue. It was a WONDERFUL time of fellowship for our church family. There were carnival type games for the kids, face painting, a hayride, smore's and singin' around the campfire. It was a blast! Our hospitality committee did a fabulous job getting everything together.

Little B - one of E's best friends.

Waiting for the hayride. Isn't he cute?

Sweet E waiting for the hayride.

Big B - Another one of E's best friends and Little B's big brother. Acutally E and her friends act more like brother and sister. It is a good thing since their mom and I are such good friends and always doing things together! :)

Little, Miss Priss enjoying a smore.

E on the hayride not wanting to get off.

She rode and rode and rode and rode.

I think J ended up having to take her away crying.

She LOVED it!

E's DIRTY & NASTY face after Fall Family Day.

She most definitely needed a bath! :)

NC State Fair

We love going to the NC State Fair. I think we have been every year but one. We even went when I was 8+ months pregnant. I was walking, walking, walking hoping it would entice the little miss to come. :) I wanted to ride the ferris wheel then but J wouldn't let me! :)

We got to the fair this year on their opening day about 10 that morning which was the perfect time! Definitely the way to go! It wasn't too busy yet. We wandered through some of the displays. I saw the sign above and thought it was funny. :)

This is a grasshopper made out of gardeny things. Mostly water hoses. It was really cool looking in person. This picture doesn't do it justice.

Josh and Grumpy E A Candy Land Display = made from all flowers! It was AMAZING!

Mom, Me and E

I thought it was a funny picture with E goofing off and looking away! :)

Krispy Kreme burger...Josh ate it all....quite interesting.

2 Donuts, 1 Beef Pattie, Cheese and Bacon they offered to put ketchup, mustard, pickles, lettuce and tomato on it. J declined.

clogging those arteries! ;)

Eating a fried oreo! She LOVED them!

This was Emma's first year to ride the rides. We bought one sheet of tickets which with one of us having to go with her (because she wouldn't go by herself) only allowed her to do 3 rides. They are EXPENSIVE and we were not buying anymore!

Watch out! She's drving the car! :)

Petting Zoo!

She LOVED it! It was well worth the couple of dollars we paid for the food!

J and E riding the ducks. :)

The Chiquita Banana Queen

She has her cotton candy and is ready to go! :)

Tennesse

Emma and I took a trip to Tennessee in October while I was off on fall break to visit two of my dear friends, meet up with my parents and attend my aunts wedding. Once again, Em was a GREAT trooper on the trip, we always have fun together!

As soon as we got to Knoxville to The Tyner's house E ran outside to play on their "playground" (as she calls it). When Jack got home he joined her. He is so good to her and plays so well. He is going to be the best big brother to Big Z and Little Z (that they are adopting from Ethiopia). I can't wait for them to get their little boys home and for their family to be complete! These are exciting times for them!!! :)

Friday night, I met up with Angela to meet her new little one. We took our kiddos and headed out for our favorite, Mexican food, and then we went back to her house to chat some more. Angela and I met back in the summer of '03 when we were both summer missionaries in China. We became fast friends! We were both in each others weddings and even though we don't talk all that often we can always pick up right where we left off. I am so thankful for her and her friendship. Emma LOVED holding baby Cooper. He is such a cutie! :)

My parents came and E and I stayed at the hotel with them. This is E in their car as we traveled to my aunts wedding. Apparently E can see her work better when she is wearing her goggles...on her forehead! ;)

The wedding chapel in Pigeon Forge. It has a corny name but it really was a pretty little chapel and the minister was very nice. From what I could tell, he believed the same that we did. He did a really good job.

Emma showing off.

She wasn't wanting to cooperate.

Me and my sweet girl. :)

E looking out the stained glass window. I think this is a cute picture. :)

E, Mom and Me

E feeding the ducks after our delicious steak dinner.

Alamo Steakhouse and Saloon, there is one in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

It is a bit pricey but I HIGHLY recommend it. It is definitely a GREAT place to go if you are ever in the area! YUM, YUM!

My dear, dear friend Angie and me.

Neither one of us can really remember when we became friends...we just "were". :)

Jon and Angie are always so kind to let us stay at their house WHENEVER. If we want to come for a visit they don't mind, if we are passing through to Memphis to visit Josh's family or whatever they are always willing to let us stay. I just wish we all lived closer! :)