Celebrate the Season {Mall and Pat}

I was so happy to help throw these long time friends and soon to be neighbors a couple's shower a few weeks ago! It was a perfect fall party & we can't wait for the big day in March!

Celebrate the Season {Boo at the Zoo}

Our first Boo at the Zoo was a success! Our little mouse had a blast and daddy got to trick or treat. The grandmas joined in on the fun, making for another 1st and family tradition:o) 

7 Months

This precious pumpkin has been so.much.fun during this 7 month! Each day brings something new. We could just eat her up in all her cuteness!! We've been battling the sniffles and a retched cough for far too long, but the Dr. can't seem to find us a remedy. We spent a few weeks giving her a breathing treatment 3x/day {which was loads of fun} but got no relief. Then we spent 5 days on a steroid that the Dr. was certain would clear everything up-no such luck. So now we've been trying baby Zyrtec, but I'm not seeing any effects from that either. In the 2 weeks since I snapped this photo & wrote the description, Fin has gone from trying to crawl to full on crawling! Everywhere. This growing baby has sent us to the baby store for baby gates and new carseats, and the baby-proofing has officially begun. My blender broke several weeks ago, putting a halt on my homemade baby food making. And I have to say, I've not been in a hurry to replace it! The peeling, steaming, and pureeing can be time-consuming. Although, I do enjoy it and am not giving up on it all together. For now, though, Gerber's is a big hit for my baby who loves any and all food! Baby girl is in 12 month clothes and weighing in at approximately 22 pounds! She eats 3 servings of food and 5 5 oz bottles a day. She seems to end up in our bed every night, but I can't say I mind the snuggles, especially on these cool nights. The fall season has brought us so many fun experiences already, we can't wait for what's yet to come!

Celebrate the Season {Welcoming October}

My thoughts exactly. And oh how I love A of G G, such great literature/coming of age story for young girls. (Note to self: buy the series to stash away for Finlay) I celebrated the first day of this lovely month  with pumpkin muffins & apple butter for breakfast, decorating my front porch, and a delicious pot roast that slow cooked all day. 

Now if I can just find a free moment to sit on my rocker with a glass of hot apple cider. 

Celebrate the Season {Something in Those Hills}

The day I've been waiting for since, well forever, finally arrived! Finlay's first Clemson Homecoming. While every football game is wonderful in Tiger Town, Homecoming is extra special and has always been my favorite. We walked all over campus, visited friends, had a beer at Esso, and admired all the floats. Finlay did such a good job, and looked so adorable in her Clemson cheerleading outfit! Lee was a great sport, too, even commenting on what a "perfect" time we had:o) Just one more "first" to add to the books. I can't wait to continue the tradition year after year.

 "From the outside looking in you can never understand it. From the inside looking out, you can never explain it."

Amen.

We scooted up the road to Asheville for another family tradition I couldn't wait to share with miss Fin-picking apples at Sky Top Orchard! Asheville ranks up there with Charleston on me & Lee's most frequented cities. We're both more of mountain lovers than beach bums. Apple trees, cider donuts, fall foliage, pumpkins, and hayrides make for the quintessential fall experience. I highly recommend it to everyone with or without kids!

Perfect company, perfect scenery, perfect weather, perfect weekend. I went to bed Sunday night extra thankful for this beautiful life and family with whom to share it.