Visiting the Dentist

Riley went back to the dentist yesterday and had a small filling put in. He did a great job! Didn't make a peep. The dentist is very good with the kids, as was her assistant. They were cracking jokes the entire time, and Riley never felt a thing. Sounds like a successful trip to the dentist to me. My pics, on the other hand, weren't so successful!

I Got It...

...a smile! But you'll have to wait for my Christmas card to see it! LOL. Here are a few that didn't make the card.

I love this first one!

Fall Color

Wow! It has been so long since I posted on this blog that I'm almost surprised that I still know how to do it! LOL. After a couple of weeks of not even taking my camera out of it's bag, I finally got outside to experiment with a new shooting mode (at least new to me). I played for less than 10 minutes, and I didn't have any great inspiring subjects at hand....but I did find this little spot of color in the yard. I like them.

My Reluctant Hillbilly

He wasn't reluctant to BE a hillbilly. He was reluctant to be a PHOTOGRAPHED hillbilly. I took the camera out of its bag, and the whining/tears started. You'd think I was asking him to gnaw his arm off and let me video tape it or something. I don't even require smiles all the time....just a PLEASANT expression would be nice. Ah well....he was adorable today in his bib overalls and straw hat, and I had to snap a picture....pleasant expression or not. It was the only day of spirit week that I took photos....you wouldn't think it would be too much to ask, would you?!

Yep...even more....

More pics from the festival. I haven't had time to finish editing all of these, much less get the camera out and take more! This is always such a busy time of year!

Riley's school has had spirit week all this week, and the kids have had to dress up every day. It's been fun, but rather exhausting too! On a happy note, Riley and his friend Logan have dominated the kindergarten with their costumes, with one of them being chosen every morning to represent the kindergarten in the daily school costume contests. Their costumes? Logan was chosen for his Knight of the Lord's table costume. Riley for his Superman PJ's on pajama day, and his pirate costume on character day. They were both chosen on twins/pairs day today for their Robin Hood (Riley) and Friar Tuck (Logan) costumes, which were very cute. I think they've enjoyed it...but I'm pretty sure Riley would just as soon wear his school uniform tomorrow! There is no rest for the weary, however.....tomorrow is Hillbilly day! Should be interesting! (I didn't even take my camera to school this week for photos! Hopefully I can get some from the yearbook staff for his scrapbook!)

This is our pastor, "Pecos Pete" and his grandson, cowboy Jaden.

Gavin and Brooke were adorable all decked out in their cowboy/girl gear!

"Jimmy Bill" has to be the second cutest boy in the whole wide world. Second, of course, to my Riley. *wink*

More Wild West Fall Fest photos

One hard-working lawman. Sheriff Russell was kept busy all night serving warrants and making arrests. The jail was the most popular feature of this year's Fall Fest. The "bail" money collected to spring prisoners from jail will be used towards one of the church's missions. Ironically, I think the bail money will be used to purchase items for prisoner's packets! How fitting.

The kids also loved the apple bobbing which made a comeback this year at Fall Fest. Riley said that it was his favorite part of the night. As you can see, Hayden is having fun taking his turn!

Patsy and Nancy, just two of the hard-working women that made this year's Fall Fest a success.

Cowboys!

The first two pictures from the church's Wild West Fall Fest from Saturday night. I think everyone involved had a blast (though it's hard to tell from Riley's expression!) He's just so darn worried he might enjoy having his picture taken! I actually did get a little smile out of him in another photo...but more to come tomorrow. It's 1 a.m., and I've gotta get up early and get back to the typing. So...I'm off to bed!

First School Field Trip

We went to a pumpkin patch in Walterboro, and the kids had a lot of fun. It was a great day for it: overcast and cooler. I need to take my boy back to the pumpkin patch alone to try to get some better pictures....but then who am I trying to kid? It wouldn't happen. He is so impatient with photos these days.

You're supposed to be straddling that "horse" cowboy, not carrying it!

Giant spider seen while on the hayride.

One of only two girls in Riley's class, this is Miss Arianna. The little boy on the left is Jaelen.

Logan enjoying the hayride.

Just another pic from the hayride.

Old Barn, Part 2.

I've photographed this barn once before for the blog. It's just down the road from my Nanny's. I love the cows, as well as the touch of autumn color in the first one. I love these old barns.

Old and New

I love the contrast between this old barn and these bright beautiful black-eyed Susans. Another pretty picture I ran across while visiting in NC.

Autumn Color

I took a little trip to North Carolina this weekend to take my Nanny back home after she spent a week visiting with us. I was anxious to see the glorious colors of autumn. The leaves were not at peak, and I had to search for the colors I wanted to see so badly. But, ooooh when I found the colors they were a splendid display and did not disappoint. I wish we had that particular beauty here. It's almost enough to make me want to pack up and head north. They have all these great old barns, etc. that I just love as well. My grandmother said they didn't have anything pretty around her house....but this was just a couple of miles up the road from her house. Gorgeous.

Happy Birthday, Hayden!

Saturday was Hayden's 4th birthday, and he had a big party in the backyard to celebrate with all of his little friends and cousins! I despise taking photos at events like birthday parties, mostly because I truly suck at it, so my camera pretty much stayed in its bag. I did take a photo of his colorful balloons in honor of the occasion. I should have taken a shot of the cake before everyone dug into it too. He had a Spiderman party. He thinks he is truly grown now that he is 4! LOL. It's pretty funny to hear him talk about it.

And...He's Awake!

Leland spent a good part of the day over here today since we have family in from North Carolina, and I had a ball with him. He has finally decided that sleeping all the time is not for him. He's awake, and he's alert. He's focusing on people and things now, and he's SMILING! This is a sweet baby, and I'm so glad he's ours! (That means yours too, Mary!)

Army Truck or Hunting Buggy?

Dad is working on this jeep for the Florida hunters, and the kids are having a blast climbing on it and taking rides in the Granny Clampett seat. We went for a ride back in the woods late this afternoon, and Riley and Hayden were in little boy heaven up there in that top seat. Hayden's only request was that Granddad not get it stuck because his mommy wouldn't know where he was and we'd have to walk out! Riley's request? "Go faster!" I have to say that I was siding with Hayden!!

Another Butterfly

I have so many of these photos to go through and just haven't had the time! Here is another quick one I grabbed and edited for the blog tonight.

Afternoon Snack

This pretty little butterfly was stopping in for a little afternoon snack. I'm loving her polka dots.

The Colors of Citrus.

I know it is officially fall, but the colors in this image scream summer to me. It's all the colors of citrus--yellow, orange and green! I was taking some photos of my mom's swarms of butterflies yesterday when I shot this one. I shot from underneath the flower and into the sun so that I capture how the sun was illuminating the flower petals. I love this one even though it's kind of a funky composition.

The Dollar Store Ninjas!

Hayden came over to play today, and he didn't come empty-handed. He was dressed as a black Ninja, and he brought Riley a matching outfit. Shanon found them at the Dollar Store, and Hayden wanted to get Riley one too. These boys are really sweet and are always thinking of each other (which does NOT mean that they get along 100% of the time, believe me!). If Riley gets a lollipop at Wal-Mart, he wants three so that he can give Bailey and Hayden one when he gets home, and Hayden does the same. Sweetness, I tell ya! I love me some little boys!

Imagination

This is a "fort" that Riley and Hayden built the other day. They had the best time doing this and playing inside. I remember doing this with my brothers as a child: Building a fort with whatever we could find in the house. We would sometimes build a "fort" on Saturday mornings and watch cartoons from inside. Good times!

Another of My Boy

The caption pretty much says it all here. LOL.

And the color version so you can fully appreciate the John Deere equipment in the background. lol.