Fall Party at Riley's school

Walking in the costume parade

You want us to smile?

The 3 amigo's praying before snack time

Showing me his new rings!

I see a "love" connection! hehe

Playing pin the nose on the pumpkin

AHG (American Heritage Girls) Joining Ceremony/Service Project

Avery recently joined American Heritage Girls which is a non profit organization dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country.  It's a lot like Girl Scouts, where you earn badges, but it's faith based! It's so awesome! Our troop is new to the area and so we got in on the ground floor and I'm totally thrilled about that. I am an assistant leader in the Pathfinder group (Avery's age) and I love it! I love helping but not having to be the leader. :)

Here's a few pictures from the Joining Ceremony we had on Friday night and the Operation Christmas Child service project we did the next morning. The service project was so cool. We had tons of items to pack in the boxes and we ended up packing 125 of them! Avery was so proud of her boxes. She talked about the things she picked out to go in them the rest of the day and she even talked about how it will make the kids really happy to open their boxes. Riley was there with us and since there was so many items we let her pack 2 boxes of her own - she got a real kick out of that! I'm so excited that Avery is a part of this organization and I love the excitement this first service project gave her. I'm looking forward to watching her grow through AHG and developing new friendships!

Enjoying refreshments with Bella after the ceremony

Recent Photo Shoots

Thorp Family

Edie Marie - 11 days old

Courtney - 38 weeks pregnant

Sleeping with Toys

Just had to snap a picture of Riley Kate sleeping last night. We had been away for 3 nights on a trip to the mountains and when I came in to check on her before I went to bed this is what I found.  I think she missed her toys while we were gone!

Thoughts from Mommy

My sweet girls, today I woke up and heard some news from a dear friend of mine, that a close family friend of hers, had passed away early this morning. Her name was Lydia Byrd, she was 7 years old, and she passed away from a brain tumor she was diagnosed with 2 years ago. I didn't know Lydia (although I was privileged to meet her once) or her family. When I heard her story 2 years ago we began to follow her journey and pray for her healing. During this unimaginable time in this family's life their faith in the Lord was a beacon in their darkness that kept them moving forward. I was inspired, challenged, saddened, hopeful and in a way my faith in the Lord was renewed. I know that God is the author and finisher of life but to see this family live out their trust in that was simply amazing.

So, I say all that to you, my sweet girls, so you can remember that this life we have is just a mere vapor in the time of eternity. We are all here for such a short time and I only hope that yours and mine are used only to bring Him glory. Our story won't be the same as the Byrd's but it will be the one God allows us to tell. So, may our days be used to bring Him honor and may myself and your dad be the ones who show you how to do that - by God's grace alone. Love you always! Mommy

Grandparents Day at CCS

Avery's school had a Grandparents Day ceremony recently. We invited her grandparents in Georgia but they weren't able to make the trip up for it. We totally understand because it is a long way for just a short ceremony. I didn't want Avery to not have someone there to "show off" for so we invited our neighbor Mrs. Carol.

She is so sweet and the girls love her.  We even had a mum dedicated to Mrs. Carol - thanking her for being Avery's "Stand-in" grandparent for the day. The kindergarten classes worked really hard memorizing the books of the Old Testament and the 12 patriarchs song for the ceremony. Avery was so proud of herself for all they did. You could tell she enjoyed this special day!

 Ryan and I went along to see the ceremony. We wanted Carol to feel comfortable and not have to go herself. Carol was so sweet. She even got Avery some cute little roses to put in her room and a balloon that says "you are special" - how sweet is that! Here is the family tree project Avery did. We included both sets of Grandparents on ours!

Daddy's 33rd Birthday

We had a huge surprise for Ryan/Daddy this year. I got together with my parents and brother and his parents and we got him an authentic University of Georgia football helmet signed by Coach Richt. It was something he had been asking for, for years! Randy got the hook up and was able to get the helmet personalized for Ryan and signed by Coach Richt. Ryan opened the box and was so excited but you should have heard him say "WOW" when he realized it was signed! Priceless!

The best part is that we were able to skype with everyone so they could watch him open his present from us all. That was really neat. We had two laptops open with our family on them - our first time doing that. It was cool but it got really loud at times especially with the girls wanting to show off in front of everyone! :)

Riley's Preschool Feild Trip

Riley B, Rainey Grace, Riley & Isaac

Riley's 3 year old preschool class took a field trip to a local pumpkin patch. They went to Briley's Farm to pick a pumpkin, take a hay ride and see some of the animals. It was a warm day for the middle of October but the kids had a great time - at least it wasn't raining. 

The class also go to do a small hay maze. It was the cutest thing watching them all run around those hay bales trying to find the end. 

The hay ride took us the "pumpkin patch" where the kids "picked up" pumpkins. Wouldn't you know that we get out there and Riley has to go potty. No, potty out in the pumpkin patch, so we snuck behind the wheels of the tractor.  I hope I remember these times so I can give the girls a hard time when they are older...there is nothing like stripping a little girl down, shoes, socks and all so she doesn't get clothes wet as she squats! haha 

After the pumpkin picking we went to have a snack. You can see in the picture below that Riley loves icing...she ate all the icing off her cookie first. 

Last the kids went around to see the animals. I wonder what their little minds think of all those animals. Sweet times watching them learn and discover! (Riley loved milking the fake cow...go figure!)

Cruising on 2 wheels

Avery came to Ryan and I a month ago and said that she was ready to take her training wheels off. To be honest we both thought there was no way she was ready. She still complained about riding her bike most days and she didn't seem that interested to be on it lately. So, we thought she was going to need a few more months to "practice". Well, she kept insisting that she was ready...so on Saturday morning, October 1st, Ryan decided to fulfill her wish.

This is how it went...

she literally had one push from daddy...

and she was off on her own!!!

She needed a little help getting started for the first day but by day 2 she was stopping and starting all on her own! We were completely shocked! I thought there was going to be tears and falls and a tired Daddy from running along side of her but NO - she knew she was ready and she proved us wrong!

I had a talk with Avery that night as we put her to bed. You could tell she was so proud of herself as we talked about the accomplishment she had that day. I told her Mommy and Daddy were wrong to think she wasn't ready to ride a bike with no training wheels - when she knew she could. I told her to always trust herself and to not listen to other people when she knows she can do something and others say she can't. I reminded her of Philippians 4:13 and how that applies even to little 5 year old girls. :)

I am proud of you little Miss! You are so brave!