Artist

Norah brought home a piece of paper saying her artwork would be displayed in the central library all month. We went to see it the other day. I thought it would be on a bulletin board or something like that. Nope, it was framed and everything.  

She couldn't have been more pleased or proud!

Camping

 As soon as I got home from Richmond we packed up the car and went camping with our friends Amanda and Jonathan.  The kids had all been planning this camping trip since the summer.
 
Our friends were up in Richmond as well that weekend at a swim meet so we met halfway at a campground in Sury. It was Chippoake State park.  And side note - Holly and I had left Richmond at 5am to get back and when we pulled in my driveway she realized she had left her purse at Sarah's with her only set of car keys in it.  So Sarah drove her purse to the swim meet and Amanda brought the purse to me. It all worked out - but the funny thing was Amanda's husband thought she had stolen the purse at the swim meet! haha!

 We finally upgraded our tent from a 2 man tent to one that fit our family. I think the key is to squish everyone in a tiny nonwaterproofed tent in the rain to then have a tent with room dividers a closet, and camping cots for them to be amazed.  The kids couldn't get over our huge tent.

 It was a really beautiful park. I had never been. We toured the old plantation home and learned a lot of the history of the area. It was in the 50s during the day and was supposed to be 60 the next day.  All was good until it got dark. And then it went into the 30s and got down to 31.  The kids were all bundled up in layers of clothes, their sleeping bags, and tons of blankets but Joel and Norah still ended up on the air mattress with Brent and I. I cant remember ever being that cold for so long. The night was pretty miserable. I think only Norah slept the whole night. We were all so happy to see the sunrise.

 

 

 

 Despite the cold it was a really fun camping trip. Its nice to unplug and get away in nature for a little while.  But we have agreed to never camp when its lower than 55 degrees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We were all asleep before 7 that night and it might be been the best nights sleep we've all had in a long time.  The next day at school was when I usually volunteer and all Norah could talk about was her fun camping trip.

2nd weekend in november

 For the past SIX years we have all met the second weekend in November for the Richmond Half Marathon. We didn't run last year because Holly had just had Ruby and this year Bethany had Ellie but we still get together for the weekend. Its one of my favorites weekends all year.  Its so encouraging and great to be with people you can just catch up with and go deep right away.  We all need friends we can be real with and share our joys and struggles.  I just love these girls.

 No medals for us but those sweet baby smiles and snuggles were worth it.  Cant wait for next year's weekend!

To Be Fair

"To be fair...."

Lately Joel has started out almost every sentence with "To be fair...."

Makes me smile every time. Its so Joel.

Hiking

 Our weekend in Blacksburg was the peak weekend for the fall colors. Brent and I had talked about maybe doing a quick hike on our way home or stopping at an overlook.  We did a quick google search of hikes on our way home and headed to one but changed our minds when we realized it was off skyline drive. I had remembered Dad talking about driving home through Peaks of Otter and it was the very next exit so we quickly got off and drove through some beautiful scenery.

I don't think I've ever driven through there and I think we've found our new favorite drive home.  It was beautiful.

 We stopped at a quick hike called Falling Waters.  At first Joel refused to get out of the car but somehow we talked him into it and he came and loved it. He didn't want to get home too late - when we get home late sunday night then he feels like he doesn't have time to relax before school the next day. Which is understandable.  So we assured him we would be home before it got dark.

 It was a fun hike. The weather was perfect. And the kids had fun exploring.

 They found some rocks stacked so they added more rocks to the pile

Hokie Football

 Our tickets for the East Carolina game that got canceled could be used for the Boston College game so we went last weekend to Blacksburg. That's the view off my parents deck.

 It was also the Homecoming weekend so we went early Saturday morning to watch the Homecoming parade.

 It was cold. We left 79 degree weather so I'm glad I brought plenty of clothes for them to layer up.  Fall has been a bit delayed this year so it also happened to be the peak weekend for fall color. And it did not disappoint.  So beautiful!

 Its not long until he is taller than me.

 We went back home after the parade and then went to campus to tailgate before the game. I love seeing Joel reading a book. He's not a big fan of reading so seeing him with his nose in a book is always good.

 The wind was so strong that we moved our tailgate three times I think until we found a good spot to light the stove.

 I love seeing her play with her doll and stuffed animals. Special also came to the game with us as well as baby Charlotte.

 Joel didn't want to go. He basically screamed the whole way to Blacksburg.  He even tried to tell me he didn't like my hokies - he liked UVA to which I replied oh good well you're going to that football game too! That went over well.  Saturday night as he was falling asleep he told me it was a really fun day. I told him he needed trust us - we know he doesn't like going places but once hes there he has a lot of fun. And he would be missing out if he just stayed home all the time.

 Norah could've played in this leaf pile for hours

 Dad volunteers in the Blacksburg museum a few times a week so he took us by to see it.

 Colin is almost as tall as Ma-Ma-maa.

 We headed over the Hokie Village and on our way ran into Frank Beamer. He will forever be one of the best coaches of all times.

 And we ran into Andre Davis!!! He was always one of my favorites but now even more so. He took his time, asked the kids their names, shook their hands and thanked them for coming.  Norah was a little shy (I'm sure she was wondering why we were talking to a stranger and asking for a picture with him) but Andre was so sweet to her and leaned in to look her in the eye and said she was really pretty and that he liked the name Norah)

 

 

 I'm pretty sure Colin's face was what all of us were thinking watching that game.

 

 

 During the 4th quarter we went to sit with mom, dad, and Ant Ant and Joel saw the padded stadium seats. "OOOOOoooooo look at that!" and he hopped up quick to sit in them

 We should've won but we lost.  The way this season is going I'm not surprised if we don't win any more games.  We are going back for the UVA game so I'm hoping they can get their act together and win that one.  Colin in all his years of going had only seen them lose once.  Now he's seen two loses. Lets hope it stays that way!

 Regardless of the outcome of the game it was the most perfect fall day and any Saturday spent in Lane Stadium is great.