Halloween 2015

It was another fun Halloween in Blackland Ridge!  Railey dressed up as a veterinarian, Maysie as a vampire princess and Ansley as a flower.  

It just so happened that Halloween was on a Saturday this year so we had a fun (and long) night ahead of us.  After a little pre-party in the culdesac, we loaded up the kids to drive to the back of the neighborhood.

Ansley and Grace act more like sisters than friends.  

Even some of the parents got in on the costume action!

About halfway through the night, Doug started to swing from poles to get attention.

Railey's Halloween bag broke and one of the neighbors gave her a garbage bag.  It was  a RIDICULOUS amount of candy.

Cooper Chanon

Early in October, Paul and I decided that it was time to get a second dog.  Annie seemed lonely and, let's face it, we wanted another dog.  I contacted Adopt a Golden Atlanta and by coincidence they were about to get a shipment of goldens that needed homes....the only catch is that they were coming from Istanbul Turkey!  It turns out that there is a HUGE problem there with stray golden retrievers so Adopt a Golden decided to do something about it and have them sent here.  There were a few dogs that we liked but one in particular stood out....his name was Cider and the only information I had on him was that he was two years old and was in a shelter about to be sent to the forest (aka released to fend for himself...so sad)

Unfortunately, someone who had an application in with adopt a golden already had their heart set on him....so I started looking at some of the other dogs and planned to go and meet them all at Goldenrama.  I was shocked when I met "Cider" and his foster mom Candace and she said that the original person who was interested was unable to come down and meet him so he was back on the market.  I fell in love and he was, of course, my first choice.  

Long story short, five other families put Cider as their #1 choice (and three families as #2) but Candace thought that we were the best fit!  We surprised the kids at the bus stop and the name game began. The possible names were Bear, Buddy, Scout, Tugg, Tucker, Trapper, and Smokey but we finally decided on Cooper!

When Candace asked for a family picture this is the best I could do.

Welcome to the crazy Chanon family Cooper!

Ruby's Buddy Walk

This year, Railey has become close with Maddux, who is also in Mr. Dunn's class.  Maddox reminds me of Railey in so many ways, bubbly personalities, full of energy and sweet to the core.  But I think their real bond comes from the fact that they both have younger sisters.  

Both girls are convinced that Ruby and Ansley are going to be best friends (which will probably happen this Summer during swim meets) and they are both so proud of their little sisters.  

The Buddy Walk is an event to raise awareness for Downs Syndrome. We wanted to walk in the Buddy Walk to honor Ruby who unfortunately had to miss this year because she is going through chemotherapy.  

It was a beautiful (but chilly) day and the kids had so much fun exploring Centennial Park before the walk.  

A huge thank you to Nicole Eliason for capturing a rare picture of me with the girls!

The girls are already asking about next year:)

Taylor Swift Concert

Paul organized for the girls and some of their friends to go to the Taylor Swift concert.  If there was any question before, it is now official that these kids live a charmed life.  The party bus was amazing....they watched a movie on the way down to the concert....

Maysie insisted on drinking from a champagne flute....

And then they had a quick dance party before we went into the show.....

Adorable girls!

About halfway through the show, Maysie decided she had enough, so she curled up in a corner and went to sleep.

Maclay 20th Reunion

There is no denying that I had a wonderful college experience, but my high school days are the ones that I will always love the most.  Needless to say, I couldn't wait to get down to Tallahassee to go to my 20th high school reunion.

About 10 of us rode on the Homecoming float, and then went to the Homecoming pep rally.  My favorite part was spending time with Andrea and Garrett's kids, who are now attending Maclay as well!

                           

We all came back for the Homecoming football game and walked around feeling much cooler than we really are.  Garrett's oldest daughter Britton got this picture texted to her when she wouldn't talk to us.

And we got to spend time with Mr. Obrecht...one of my favorites!

Sadly I had to miss the "official" reunion night so I could make it back to Atlanta to take the girls to Taylor Swift!

Maysie's First Field Trip to the Farm

Two months into Kindergarten, Maysie got to take her first field trip. She was so excited....especially since I got to come along as a chaperone.

They got to hold baby chicks and learn all about how a farm runs.

But the highlight of the day was meeting a goat named Maysie.  

The kids also got to learn all about Beekeeping!

Oh how I love this little class and especially Mrs. Gunning and Mrs. Irrgang.  Fingers crossed that they will still be at Sope Creek in four years when Ansley enters Kindergarten!