Ahhh! the BLESSINGS of Motherhood...

found these super cute pjs at the store

and just had to buy them

because I miss snuggling with my babies

Emilee LOVES them

"They are my Snuggly Jammies " she tells me

when she wears them everybody gets a hug

I absolutely ADORE Snuggly Hugs!!!

No TRICK or Treating this year...

... at least for Mom & Dad!!

Our Trick or Treating Crew...

Race Car Pit Worker...

went to a party with his FRIENDS, had a blast and came home at 11 pm. This POSE is also typical of a TEENAGER listening CAREFULLY and INTENTLY to every word (blah! blah! blah!) his MOTHER says :0)

Mime...

went trick or treating around town with TWO of his friends. He used a cell phone (making communication fairly difficult because Mimes don't talk) to make CONTACT with us during the evening. He called for pick up at 9:00 pm from a local business, where they had STOPPED to refuel with FREE popcorn, drinks and handfuls of candy.

Mime & his friends RAN from door-to-door all night long. When he came home, most of his makeup had been dissolved by sweat. However, he WON the award for the most candy collected (filling 3 gallon size baggies) which he generously SHARED with the rest of his family (for several days).

Little Red Riding Hood...

happily skipped around trick or treating with JUST her girlfriends for the FIRST time ever. Her Mother, an ENCHANTING witch, used her SPECIAL powers, casting a MAGIC spell and creating her DARLING costume (in Fairy Tale remembrance of her Grandmother, the Good Witch of Germany).



After trick or treating, they played GAMES and watched a movie (Homeward Bound). She came HOME at 11:30 pm, just before the time when SWEET little girls turn into yummy pumpkins (and their mothers turn into ogres).

Beautiful Princess...

was supposed to GO trick or treating with her Daddy BUT when the neighbors came to the door, she slipped into her flip-flops, grabbed her PINK bucket and joined them on their WAY (unknowingly, Mom was painting Mime's face AND Dad was ON the shed.) We stayed in contact with them VIA cell phone and, when it started to RAIN, HITCHED up the horses and picked HER up in the carriage.

Pirate Dog...

STAYed home all night, HELPING to welcome our visitors (who adored his costume) by sniffing them up and down as Princess passed out the CANDY.

Our favorite Trick or "TREATers" of the evening were also the last. We opened the door to see them standing on the porch with a cauldron FULL of candy and a combination pizza. Thanks, GREAT Grandma & Grandpa Meredith! We LOVE you!

More Halloween Memories...

A Halloween Fairy Tale...

The Princess & The Preschool Ball

"A Mean Old Witch..."

A One Man Job...

The past week, with every EXTRA minute available, my Bubba (as in hubba hubba) could be found working ON (literally) the shed. Due to the BUSY schedules for the rest of us, building the shed has suddenly become... a one man job.


During the week, HE lifted, set, measured, squared and nailed the trusses - ALL of them AND by HIMself... AMAZING!

On Saturday, HE single-handedly lifted the extremely heavy roof sheathing up the ladder AND onto the roof AND somehow managed to bring along his nail gun too. Then he repeated this process EIGHT times. Absolutely INCREDIBLE!

Upon returning HOME in the late afternoon from my busy Saturday (with Ryan in tow), I found HIM on the newly sheathed roof, neatly trimming the edges. I felt a little stab in my HEART (pitter patter), partly because I had MISSED helping with the entire roof but mostly because MY hard working, determined and hunk of a Bubba had raised the roof himself. IMPRESSIVE!

Little did he know that throughout the DAY I had been calling Kelsie EVERY 30 minutes (Ryan thought I was nuts) asking to check if her Daddy had fallen off the roof. HE didn't! :o)

It's Beautiful!

Brock's Reflections Project...

the theme for this year is "Wow..."

and Brock (being our creative and deep thinking child) came up with this Idea for his 3D art project.

it is made from Salt Dough and decorated with poster paints.

he has titled it - "WOW... The 1st African American President."

we laughed when it was finished because the presidential candidates look like Sumo Wrestlers (a possibility for the next presidential debate :)

my thoughts... "If the nation elects a LEMON, make LEMONADE!"

More BANG for your BUCK...

Hunting Season is Here!

So, I loaded the kids into the car and we went huntin'...

...Mommy Style!

After passing by several prime hunting spots, Ryan SIGNALLED that he had found his target.

I pulled over. We looked out the window, scoping the POTENTIAL of the target.

It looked like an easy shot.

I handed Ryan the ammo. A LOOK passed between us. It told me he was READY for this important milestone in his life. I knew he could do it.

He stepped out of the car, took a DEEP BREATH, squared his shoulders and nonchalantly walked towards the target.

The tag read $20. He SHOT IT DOWN with $12. The ammo was just enough for the kill.

Ryan turned and with a HUGE smile gave me a thumbs up.

I patted him on the back (sniff) as we loaded his kill into the back of the Tahoe and headed for home.

My little boy is all grown up (wipe a tear).

I'm so PROUD.

October - Sunday Family Dinner...

We had our monthly Atkinson Family Dinner today. Our hosts for the month were Paul & Mindee. They prepared a yummy dinner of Italian Chicken over rice with rolls and salad. For dessert we enjoyed homemade M&M and Butterfinger rice crispy treats, created entirely by Jeff. It was all so plate-lickin' delicious.

This month, we celebrated Carter's 5th birthday (also Kelly & Mindee AND Grandpa, Robby & Austin - we missed you.) After singing the birthday song, we attempted to give Carter his presents. He refused to take them, unsure that they were for HIS birthday (which is on Oct 31st). It was so cute to watch the kids persuade and convince him that they were truly for him. Eventually he believed us and the presents were opened.

Ever since our parents moved to Germany, I have taken over the dauntless task of documenting our family adventures together for them while they are away (hence the blog.) Although I have taken a lot of flak for this from my brothers and (shock) their wives (thankfully not from the grand kids who LOVE getting their pictures taken), I really can't blame them (at least not much.)

You see, it wasn't that long ago when I used to join them in teasing our sweet Mother, who was never seen without her beloved camera and who we believe to be part Japanese. (Whenever we looked her in the eye - it was through a camera lens :0)

Never fear, MOM! I (the dutiful daughter and most obedient of your children) am carrying on your legacy... and I have the pictures to prove it!!

SMILE! (click)