Cul-de-sac Gatlinburg

November 5, 6, 7, 2010

Last weekend we had the privilege of spending the weekend with some close friends.  On a whim, our cul-de-sac decided to take a family trip to the mountains.  Camille was lucky enough to find us a cabin with 6 bedrooms.  It was the perfect size for our crew of 10 kids and 8 adults.  We went up on Friday and spend the afternoon shopping, playing at the cabin, and shopping.  Mary Kate hung with the girls all bundled in her winter puppy coat in the stroller.  It was the first real cold weekend of the season.  When we got back we enjoyed some relaxing in the hot tub and some games around the table.  Just FYI, when the description says an eight person hot tub, you really need to be "close" to those eight people, and you do not need to have a fetish about feet if your going to put eight people in the tub,right Roger?  Saturday we got up and enjoyed a home cooked breakfast that included the tossing of chocolate pancakes.  We then headed out for more shopping.  It was too cold to ride go carts on Saturday, so Max decided to go to the Dinosaur Museum instead.  It was full of huge dino replicas and lots of information.  Max was a little intimated by their size, but we finally got him to post for a quick picture.  Saturday night we got the older kids to babysit and the adults (+mKate) were able to enjoy an evening out.  We walked the strip in Gatlinburg until we were numb and even got to do some taste-testing.  Then we headed to dinner and back to the cabin for more games and soaking.  Sunday we took time for family pics with the pretty fall trees and then went for more pancakes.  Yum!  I love pancakes and BACON!  Michael likes BACON too.  Finally before we left it was warm enough for some go-carting.  Quinton won the race and it was then time to head home.  Thanks for a great weekend cul-de-sackers, we hope for it to become an annual event. 

Halloween

October 31, 2010

Halloween was a blast this year.  It literally lasted ALL WEEKEND.  We started off Friday with Max's school party.  Wow! is all I have to say.  Twelve four and five year olds, candy, food, costumes, trick or treating, and crafts.  I was ready for a nap before lunch after helping Ms. Gina for the morning.  We then met Gindy and Love Bug Kerrigan for lunch and trick or treating on the square.  The girls rode in the wagon and Max conquered all the shops for candy. 

Saturday, we started the morning with our last soccer game for the fall.  Yippee, oh, whoops, did I say that out loud.  No, just kidding.  Max played a great game and then they got their trophies for the season.  We headed home and got naps before the annual party at our house. Jay and I spent all afternoon preparing for the soups Halloween party in the cul-de-sac.  We enjoyed the night with about 65 of our family and friends and lots of kids.  The kids enjoyed a night of hide and go seek while the adults got to visit and chat by the fire pits.  We had enough food to feed a small army and I think everyone had full bellies.

Sunday, Halloween was officially here.  We our M&Ms dressed early and visited all the grand and great grandparents.  Max collected more candy that he didn't need and Mary Kate got a bag full of baby food.  Yea!  We got home just as the sun was setting and took off around the neighborhood.  I have never seen so many kids.  On the main drag of the neighborhood, you had to wait in line at the sidewalk to get to the front doors of the houses.  Unb-elieve-able!  and scary!  with so many costumed kids it was difficult to keep track of your own kids.  After loosing Max for a few seconds, we turned and went toward a less populated area of the neighborhood.  It was a great, but tiring weekend.  I love making so many FFMs in one weekend, but it really wears you out.  Jay and I were desperately ready for Monday to return back to work for rest! HAHA


Max and Tristan



Max and Kirkland