Triple Crown Christmas Party

Concentrating on the beautiful ornaments for our tree.


Santa made a surprise visit to the dinning room.

Working on crafts...Tate, Hunter, Abby, Jack, Molly and Reagan

Patiently waiting to see Santa.

Listening to the carolers in the hallway.

Sweet picture with Santa...for some reason Reagan is ALWAYS looking off!

Santa listening to Reagan...this could take a while!

Hunter's shyly talking to Santa...what a cute face!

The Moms of that crazy bunch of kids: Michelle, Me, Erin, Ashlea and Nhien

Charlie, Molly, Jack, Maddi, Emily L., Hunter, Reagan, Emily R., Sam, Tate and Abby

Every year our clubhouse has a big Christmas party for the neighborhood families. They have crafts, good food and of course a fantastic Santa for the kids to see. Hunter and Reagan had a wonderful time and loved hanging out with all their neighborhood friends. Reagan told me the whole day that she was going to ask Santa for a princess or barbie computer. When the time came, Santa said, "What do you want for Christmas?" Reagan said, "A candy cane!" I guess she saw all the other children getting a candy cane after they sat on Santa's lap and at that point...it was the most important thing. Too funny!

Thanksgiving at The Johnsons

Ryan, Michelle and Fred

Michelle's parents...Mammaw and Papaw
Check out Ryan in the back, it looks like Michelle is teaching him how to use the water dispenser!

Tate, Hunter, Abby and Reagan

This year we were without family visiting so we decided to join our dear friends, The Johnsons. They graciously invited us...under one condition...I did all the cooking! Michelle is not the "cooking type" so it was a great deal for us since I love to cook Thanksgiving food. I, of course, am not in any pictures since I was the one taking them, but these are a few from the day. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving and we are so blessed to have such awesome friends here in Kentucky!

Karate Green Belt

Charlie and Hunter, just before Hunter tested for his green belt.

Check out Abby's intense karate face!

Our neighbor Charlie is now in Hunter's karate class. He absolutely loves it and is doing so well. Hunter tested for his green belt and finally got it along with a new certificate. Some days he is the highest rank in the class. It does come with a lot of responsibility and Sensei Mike expects a lot out of him. Hunter was very intimidated at first, but seems to be enjoying the high rank status now. So hard to believe he has gone from white to yellow to orange and now green in 16 months. Way to go Hunt-man!!!

Harvest Party

Our vocab hat.

Listening to a story before the Vocabulary Hat Parade.

I remember now why I dreaded party days when I was teaching...now I see why the parents wanted to try so hard to make it fun for the kids. Interesting to see both sides of the fence. Either way...PARTY DAYS ARE EXHAUSTING! Since the public schools don't actually celebrate "Halloween" Hunter's school had the kids do a Vocabulary Hat Parade. The kids choose a vocab word and then decorate the hat according to that word. Hunter did Mystery. We headed to the Dollar Store and created a pretty neat little hat. The parade was great and all the words were very creative!

Hunter's First Field Trip

My group: Nali, Hunter and Jameson

Hunter's favorite animal there...the llama

Feeding the chickens.

Hunter holding a full cup of food since he wouldn't feed the animals.

About to start the hayride.

The only snuggle I got the whole field trip...Hunter was too cool for hugs.

Picking out the perfect pumpkin.

Hunter went on his first field trip this week to a Pumpkin Patch/Farm with the morning and afternoon Kindergarten classes. He had so much fun and couldn't hardly sleep the night before. They had lots of animals to pet and feed along with a huge pumpkin patch for the kids to choose their very own to take home. Hunter was not too fond of the animals licking the food out of his hand so he just watched his classmates enjoy that part. We went on a hayride through the woods and into the pumpkin patch. There was not a child around without a smile on their face. I'm glad I got to experience the first field trip.

Fall Festival

Reagan chose a heart for her face paint.

Reagan carefully making polka dots all over her pumpkin. After all that work it rained that night and all the washable paint came right off. We couldn't take a chance that Reagan use "real" paint and ruin her clothes. Maybe next year!

Hunter chose a ghost.

Hunter patiently painting.

Hunter and Reagan painting their pumpkins.

Charlie's bat.

Is that a mischievous smile on Reagan's face or what?

Reagan showing Hunter how it is done!

Hunter, trying to get the ball in the bucket.

Holding their prizes from one of the games...tattoos!

My sweet pumpkins.

Charlie, Reagan, Hunter and Emily

The kids and I with the sun in our eyes.

Just like last year, we went to Natorps nursery for a free fall activity day. They had pumpkin painting, face painting, Halloween crafts, games and a hay maze for the kids to try. They had so much fun as usual.

Hunter's Safari Room

Melman the Giraffe

Mama and Baby elephant...no names yet.

Marty the Zebra

The no name chimpanzee.

Close up of the chimp.

Alex the Lion...or Reagan's name for him is Simba.

Well, Hunter, as most of you know, is fascinated with animals and has been since he could sit up. So after many years of hinting and a little push from my Mom this summer, I decided it was time to take the plunge. With the new baby coming, there was no better time than now. We all know there won't be much "free time" when little one arrives! I scrounged around the house for left over paint from previous jobs and locked myself in Hunter's room for about 6 days. Then the "safari" room was complete. Hunter LOVES it so much and that makes all the hard work VERY worthwhile!!!