Hiking

Today, we ventured out and finally did some hiking. Really, it only took us 3+ months to do so. Chattanooga/Cleveland/Ocoee areas are know for it's beautiful outdoors. Why we waited until the leaves peaked is beyond me. Maybe a combination of being too busy and too tired with all the unpacking is our excuse.  

We heard about a park near the Volkswagen plant called Enterprise South Nature Park.  It's about a 20 minute drive for us, and it's totally worth it. There are several trail heads, a mixture between paved and unpaved paths, both for pedestrians and bikers.  There's a paved loop around the entire park that's about 7 miles for cyclists or those with strollers.  In all, the park is about 1300 acres and 25 miles of paths of pure God's beauty.

 We ended up doing about 3 different trails that were about 2.5 miles total.

Natalie didn't know what to make of her ride.  Damien said to me, "you are about to carry her. If I hear her say mommy any more"  Here's Natalie proudly showing off a seed we found.

 Dylan complained a lot of his feet hurting, but we didn't buy it.  Really I think he just wanted to get home to play with his friends in the neighborhood.  Once we told him that if his feet were too tired then he wouldn't be able to play outside later, we didn't hear another complaint. I told him the next time we come back we could bring a scavenger hunt list.  We had really hoped to see a deer or something interesting (anything but a snake).  Well, we saw 2 squirrels and a chipmunk.

 On the trail that we took, was a "hidden lake".  We took a little rest here and had a snack.  Dylan had found some walnuts on the walk and took them down to the lake.  He threw one in, as if it was a penny going into a fountain, and made a wish.  He said, "do you know what I wished for? I wished we were all American Falcons and stayed together as a family".  American Falcons are his new favorite animal since he found out they can fly 200 mph and are the fastest. Now he wishes he were one.  I told him that then he wouldn't have us as they only stay with their parents like 1 year and then they are on their own.  That's why he added the part about being together as a family.

 We also came across a bunker. The park ranger at the visitor center said it was historical.  I wish there was a sign explaining when and how it was used. There were boxes of explosives but nothing else to give us a clue.

 We can't wait to go back.  However, if I see a snake.  I will stay on the paved paths.

The Candy Drawer

Halloween Day Fun

We started off our day, with a little walk on the Greenway.  With a storm settling in, it was kind of dark and creepy at times, not to mention eerily quiet.  There was only a few people out today.  Very Halloween like, that's for sure. 

We headed out to the library for the toddler story time.   It was so cute to see all the kids dressed up.  Here's Natalie with a friend from church, Addison.  

Trick or Treat

We were told that there were not a lot of trick or treaters in our neighborhood because of all the community activities, so we decided we would go out on the town.  Our first stop was going to be church, but due to bad weather (high winds no rain until later), they cancelled their fall festival, so we headed over to downtown Cleveland.  Every year Cleveland holds a block party.  It's apparently a big deal.  Last year, 20,000 people were in attendance.  We got there at 5pm and went to what is known as Treat Street.  It's a neighborhood in the historic district that is closed off to thru traffic.

 My little wolf. I have to brag on my face painting skills for a second. It was my first time, and it turned out pretty good in my opinion.

 This house was Monster University.  So cute. I imagine that when it got dark, they showed the movie too.

 We found another photo opportunity. This time with Mr Brown and Mr Orange.  Damien's boss lives on Treat Street.  Mars also sponsors and provides the candy for the block party downtown.

Right after leaving the M&Ms, we ran into some friends from church and soccer.  Dylan was happy to have a friend with him. 

 This house was the only house that was creepy.  They had guys in masks and chainsaws.  I was surprised when Dylan ran up to the house.  We had walked by it earlier without his friend and he wanted nothing to do with it, then all of a sudden, he's Mr Brave.  Boys.

The houses did a great job of getting into the spirit and fun of Halloween.  When you  think of a movie and trick or treating, this is what you think of.  It was right out of a movie.  I absolutely feel in love with the experience. 

We didn't stay very long as we knew it got crazy downtown. Next we headed over to Damien's co worker's house.  His co worker pulls the kids on a flat bed and takes them trick or treating.  The weather was perfect and Dylan had a blast.

Boo Bash

For Halloween this year, Dylan decided to wear one of his costumes he already had, a werewolf.  I decided Natalie would make a cute Little Red Riding Hood. 

 Natalie is not crazy about dressing up, so I wasn't sure how this was going to go.

I completed the story by being the Grandmother in the story.  Sorry, the only picture I have seeing that I am the mom and the main photographer, all I have are phone selfies.  

 The first test was Boo Bash.  Boo Bash is an annual event put on by Mars for it's associates and their families.  

Different departments did different themes.  There was the Wizard of Oz, Under the Sea, Duck Dynasty, Despicable Me, The Avengers and Ghostbusters.  Most were in dark tents and as soon as we walked in the first one, which was under the sea, Natalie started crying and put on repeat "bye bye Mommy, bye bye". You would have thought I took her to a haunted house.  This was under the sea we are talking about. They had bubbles and fish and mermaids.  All things that you would think would make a toddler happy, nope. 

 Iron Man was really cool. He was on a hydraulic lift.  When kids pushed the button in front of him, steam would come out of his hands and he would go up in the air. I thought for sure that Dylan would vote them as the best, but Ghostbusters was his pick. I am not even sure he knows who they are.

Natalie would not even look at Damien.  Either she just didn't want that image of him or she was just that terrified.  

Of course we had to get our pics made with Miss Brown and Mr Blue. Natalie of course, wanted nothing to do with them until they got out of sight, then she asked about them over and over. 

The Webb's Visit

I didn't tell Dylan that his best friend Bentley was coming. I wanted to surprise him and just in case something fell through, I didn't want to disappoint him.  

When they rolled in, Dylan was across the street playing. They stopped their van beside him and said hi.  We could see Dylan say something, but he looked confused.  Then when they turned into our driveway, it clicked.  "Bentley" he yelled.  He was so excited to see him. 

The boys played non stop.  The men got to watch a little football. While the women, got a little alone time on the greenway doing a 4 mile walk

.  

 Andrea gave Natalie a little sweet up do.

 oh and the girls, they got to take a little drive around the block. 

Jack o'laterns

I cannot wait until the kids are old enough to help out with this.  Every year, Dylan acts like he's going to help, until he sticks his hand in the pumpkin to clean it, ew.  Dylan's request this year was a wolf howling at the moon, so that was his costume.  Natalie requested a giraffe, which I cannot believe I found a stencil for, thank you internet.  I just did Mr. Bones for mine.  I know I complain, and it does take a long time, but I love it. 

Wordless Wednesday

My Boy Being a Boy

Dylan was outside playing as I was cleaning up after dinner.  I hear the door open and screaming.  I look and he has blood on his hand. I panic but I get a wet washcloth and go to wipe it off, and then he informs me, it's not from his hand but from his head.  He proceeds to turn around (still screaming mind you) and then I start screaming.  I totally freaked out.  I am running around outside screaming, trying to figure out what happened.  (Where's my Ashley to save me when I need her. I tell you where, still back in Spring Hill.)  Well I had to bite the bullet and try and nurse Dylan.  (The bleeding stopped pretty fast and he had a really big goose egg.) Dylan enjoyed staying up later than usual and popsicles.  We had to ensure that he didn't have a concussion.  While he did cry and scream, he is one tough booger.  Really I think he cries because he's afraid he's going to get in trouble.  The blood did trickle all the way down to his bootie crack, hehehe. Oh and, he feel off a utility pole in our yard (comes up to about my hip) and hit the concrete around the utility box beside it.  Oy. 

Soccer Season, It's a Wrap

Another soccer season comes to an end.   This is Dylan's fourth season to play.  Previously, we've played with the YMCA, but this season, he played for Upward.  This was our first experience with Upward and I was impressed.  During practices, the kids would take a water break and have devotional time.   

Dylan really showed a lot of confidence playing this season. He did so great.  One of his games, he scored 9 goals.  I couldn't believe it.  During the last game, we heard one of his team mates say "Dylan is the best player on our team"  It made this momma proud.  

Our last game, we played a team and Dylan's classmate was on the other team.  They had a little fun before the game started. 

 Before the game, the teams gathers for a prayer time.  At "halftime" they hand out a little devotional as well.

 Natalie always loves watching Dylan.  She always has a face to give :)

 He shoots and scores.

The Pups

Sophie, 9 years old

 Turbo, 15 years

 Griffin, 10 months