Trunk or Treat

Tonight was Trunk or Treat after church. I'm glad I got some good pics of Mary Ella in her costume yesterday, because she was not all smiles tonight. She did not know what was going on, and it was dark. She never got that she was supposed to be getting candy, but by the end of the night she did know that what was wrapped up in her bucket was tasty. She's never had candy, so she didn't know what she was getting. When we were done, she had a couple mini Hershey's in her hand, and I was holding her just talking away to someone. I looked down and she had bitten through the paper and made it to the chocolate! She got interested after that!

We tried to hang with the cousins, but they went too fast.

Ready to go!


Batman Eli and Batgirl Reese

Tongue out

What is going on?

Hmm...what do I do with this?

She did not like Mr. Kevin's blonde mullet!

And she did not want to hold Batman's hand.

Bealle and Batman

Candy in hand

Trying to get a pic with Scarlett the giraffe

Love this face!

Daddy's little piggy

Trying to get a pic with Pearson the lamb- see the chocolate on her face? Sneaky little pig!

Pooped piggy

We made a quick visit to see Granny, had Taco Bell and candy for supper (awesome, right?), and put the little piggy to bed. Happy Halloween, y'all!

This little piggy...

Introducing the cutest little pig ever...

Oh me, oh my! How cute am I?

Go Hogs! Beat Vandy!

Papa and his girl

Yesterday we said goodbye to Opa. It was a beautiful service that truly celebrated his life of hardwork, service, laughter, and love. Granny said if a funeral could be perfect, his was. He loved his family so much and made me feel like I was a part of it from the day I met him almost 10 years ago. Brad was so blessed to have a grandfather like him growing up, and I feel blessed to call him mine too!

Please pray for my sweet Anna Claire, Trey Bug, and the Marvin family. Michael got a call at the funeral home Thursday night that his Nana had passed away. So they have to go through this times 2.

Halloween Par-tay

Two little pumpkins

Mary Ella and Thomas (another potential husband)

The week of Halloween is always a big one for kiddos. When I taught my students never seemed to understand why we didn't get a day off for Halloween. Ha! It's never been my favorite day, and really I wouldn't even consider it a holiday but with costumes and candy- what more could a kid want? So, it may seem inappropriate to have a party post at this time, but right now I think the best thing we can do to help Opa's great-grandkids get through this time is to keep things as normal as possible. I know with Mary Ella it makes me sad that she will not remember him, and she doesn't know what is going on, but she sure can pick up on emotions. It disturbs her when someone yells, and she gets upset when someone cries. I know I am keeping this in mind, and I know Julie and Lindsay have even more to deal with because their kiddos will remember and miss Opa and have lots of questions. Death is hard, and life is hard. And I think kids need to know this. But in their little worlds Halloween parties are a big deal, and dressing up and candy are a big deal. So that is what we did today. Mary Ella and I met Trey and Julie at his school for his Halloween party, and when Anna got home we helped her stuff her Halloween treat bags. As you can see Trey is big, bad Batman! ME loved seeing the big kids in their costumes, and she even got to go outside for recess! I was so excited to run into my sweet friend, Bonnie, and meet her Caroline and Thomas.

In awe of Batman's big muscles

She was loving the slides today!

This one cracks me up!

Anybody want ice cream?

After the party we had lunch and went to the mall to look for an outfit for Trey to wear to the funeral. The kids are going, and I know it will be hard. It will be sad for all of us, but it is really a celebration of Grandpa's amazing life here on earth that lead to him having an eternal home in heaven. Thank God for that comfort! I just hope we can get the little ones to understand a piece of that.