Happy Fall!

I must say, our fall fun day went much more smoothly than I expected. I call it that instead of halloween because we never really celebrated "halloween" when I was little. We still don't today, but we do participate in all the fun activities that kids get to do on halloween. Mary-Evelyn was a precious little flower and was very cooperative with her costume - surprisingly. Every time I put the flower on her head before for practice, she would go into coniption...until October 31st. All those trial runs and pep talks about her costume paid off because she put that costume on like a champ, didn't cry, and kept in on practically all day for all our activites. I think she felt secure behind the petals of her costume. I know every parent thinks their child is the cutest when dressed up, but I must say, I think Mary-Evie was the cutest flower I've ever seen! We had such a fun day!

We started out by going to our church (HBC) for the fall festival. Mary-Evelyn has never taken a paci, but she's with Parker (my nephew) every day and sees him with one. She is teething right now, and she asks for this paci to bite on and just hold on to as sort of a security. I may be doing a really bad thing by giving it to her, but I know teething is really hard on these babies! Anyway, there were lots of big blow-up bouncies in the gym and lots of activities for the kids. It was so rowdy, and ME is still a little too young to appreciate all those activities. We had a lot of fun just playing on the playground outside letting her swing and slide!

She also had a blast on the hayride. We went all around the campus of the church, and it was such a gorgeous day to be able to do outdoor activities!



After coming home and taking her 2-hour afternoon nap, we loaded up and headed out to go trick-or-treating at friends and families' houses. Our first stop was at Mr. and Mrs. Hill's house - our across-the-street neighbors. They don't get to get out much because of their health, so they enjoyed getting to see Mary-Evie all dressed up! I hate that I didn't get a picture of her with them.

Next, we went to Aunt Sandy and Uncle Woody's house, also in our neighborhood. Jen was home from State for the weekend, so ME loved seeing her!

When we left from there is when I gave her this sucker. She looked at me like, "Are you sure I'm supposed to have this, Mom?" She thought it was the grandest thing. Little did I know that I was creating a candy-feen! All night long, from here on out, she was constantly asking for "canny."

Our next stop was at one of Jon's cousin's houses - Hayden Eisenzimmer. She and her husband, Aaron, have 2 little girls - Daylon and Ann Michael. Hayden's sister, Kayla, and her husband, Jarrett were also there with their girls, Addison and Marlee. Jon loved being able to see family, and Mary-Evelyn just loved seeing all the kiddos! Across the street from them, Kevin Caldwell was set up for trick-or-treaters. We visitied him for a little while and got to see all his ghostly decorations!

Here's a pic of all the girls. Marlee is 3 1/2 months, and Ann Michael is 5 weeks - sweet babies!

Next we met up with Mary-Evie's first cousins - Liza Kate (the bunny), Evan (the dinosaur), and Emma (Minnie Mouse) - at NannaLibba's house. This was one of Jon's mom's best friends, so the kids call her NannaLibba. We had not seen her in a while, and she had yummy pumpkin cookies and goldfish to give as treats!

We followed Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Ryan out to their house to see Ryan parents - Mr. and Mrs. Gregory.

Mary-Evelyn wouldn't take a picture unless I was holding her, so I'm in almost every picture that she is in.

Jon with Liza Kate's bunny ears on. Isn't he CUTE!!

The whole gang!

Family pic

Lastly, we headed out to Mimi and Grandad's house for a weiney/marshmallow roast! Caroline was dressed as Tinkerbell, and Parker was dressed as Spiderman!

Grandad and Mary-Evelyn wathcing the fire

Grandad and his girls!

Spiderman himself and my little flower digging in to some candy!

Here we are roasting our weiney.

Look at our faces. We were intent on getting those hot dogs cooked perfectly!

Aunt T and Caroline with Grandad and Uncle J in the background

Happy Birthday, Grandad!

My dad celebrated another birthday on October 13th. We had a little family party for him at our house. If you know him, you know that music just runs through him, so we decided to do a music theme. We had pizza, presents, cake and ice cream, balloons - the works! We love our dad more than words can express! Happy Birthday, Dad!

Here's grandad dressed up in his garb with his grandkids - Parker, Caroline, and Mary-Evelyn.

They loved helping him open his presents!

Sweet Treats bakery did this guitar cake for him! Isn't it so cute!

Here's our dining room all decortated - can you see the CDs hanging from the light?

The kiddos decided to all pile in Mary-Evie's bed. They had so much fun jumping and tumbling on each other!

Sponge Rollers!!

For those of you that know me, these pictures will come as no surprise! Yes, Sunday morning before church, I put sponge rollers in Mary-Evelyn's hair. I just couldn't resist! Hair has always been a pretty important part of getting dressed to me, and I'm passing that along to ME! There's nothing better than just the right cut and color! It just makes me feel so good! I've had the same hair style practically all my life - just gotten a little blonder over the years with some help. My friends know that in high school, I drove to school with hot rollers in my hair every day and took them out in the parking lot just to get every minute that I could in those rollers. I still put hot rollers in my hair every waking day of my life. Most people iron theirs straight, but I love that body that rollers give! My grandfather asked my grandmother the other day if I streaked Mary-Evelyn's hair! My response was...I strongly believe in highlights, but not for a 19-month old! My mom didn't let me get highlights until the 11th grade (and that was pushing it and they were very subtle), so we at least have to wait until then!

Daddy thought it was ridiculous. He can't stand to think that she is just slightly uncomfortable, and he thought this looked like it was hurting. I told him to back off as he started taking them out - sometimes beauty takes a little bit of discomfort, right girls?!

She thought she looked beautiful and wasn't uncomfortable at all!

See, it just gave a little curl under and body!

She loved it!

A Few of My Favorite Things

WATER PLAY

Mary-Evelyn loves to stand in a chair and play in the water at the kitchen sink. It is such a great pastime. All I have to do is pull up a chair, put a few things in the sink for her to play with, turn on the water, and she is pacified for the longest.

SIDEWALK CHALK

All one-year-olds love to have something to scribble with. I have found that the best thing to do is take Mary-Evelyn outside with chalk and let her go to town with the scribbling! She loves it and we don't have to worry about what she's writing on.

BUBBLES

She has loved bubbles for a while but has just gotten to the point to where she wants to do it herself. She has so much fun until she gets it all over her and gets sticky. Then, she freaks out and we have to go take a bath!

CORN ON THE COB

Mary-Evelyn has always eaten vegetables really well. MiMi steams her fresh veggies everyday for lunch and we have them with supper, too. One of her favorites is corn on the cob. Not only does she love the taste, but it's fun to eat, too - especially with the little handles that MiMi puts on the ends!

August - The Birthday Month

Yes, that is my child!! Look at that face!! I was terrified, but she loved it and kept asking for more!!!
August is a month full of birthdays for the Wood/Maynard family! Those with birthdays include Evan and Emma (our niece and nephew), Caroline (our niece), Thomas (my cousin's little boy), Anna Claire (my cousin), Mary Beth (my cousin), Stephanie (my sis-in-law), and T (my uncle and boss). We've been busy celebrating, and, as you will see, enjoyed every minute of it!

THE FOLLOWING 10 PICTURES ARE FROM EVAN AND EMMA'S 6TH BIRTHDAY PARTY! RYAN AND STEPH RENTED THIS HUGE WATER-SLIDE FROM 10AM-7:30PM AND SET IT UP IN THEIR BACK YARD. WE WERE THERE LITERALLY ALL DAY, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF LEAVING FOR A WEDDING. I CANNOT EXPRESS HOW MUCH FUN WE HAD! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND RENTING ONE OF THESE AT LEAST ONCE IN YOUR LIFE!

Your's truly!

Mary-Evelyn absolutey loved it! She was begging to get back in the water in this picture. Check out those buns! (she has her mama's legs and behind!)

Jon with Evan and Josephine. Jon stayed on the slide practically all day. All the kids would pile on top of him for him to take them down the slide.

Mary-Evie was soooo tired at the end of this day!

Courtney Gregory (and baby Clay) and me

Here's the birthday girl and boy!

Liza Kate, Emma, Evan, and Mia Katherine

THE NEXT 5 PICTURES WERE AT CAROLINE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY. SHE WANTED IT TO BE A HANNAH MONTANA PARTY SO BADLY, BUT SOMEHOW MY SISTER PERSUADED HER TO HAVE A STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE THEME!

Family picture

We color-coordinated that day. Jon doesn't know it, but I did that on purpose!

Caroline with her best friends, Kaylee and Elia

Sweet Georgia Caroline is 5 this year!! I can't believe it!

Caroline and her sweet friends.

THE NEXT 3 PICTURES WERE AT MARY BETH'S 20TH BIRTHDAY PARTY. THE PARTY GIRL HID FROM THE CAMERA ALL NIGHT!

My uncle Tommy (aka, Mi) and Jon gave Thomas and Mary-Evelyn a ride in the golf cart.

Mary-Evie and Thomas playing

Anna Claire and Thomas with Mary-Evie and me

THE NEXT 3 PICTURES ARE FROM SWEET THOMAS'S PARTY. HE WAS A YEAR OLD ON THE 14TH. HE AND MARY-EVELYN ARE 6 MONTHS TO THE DAY APART, SO THEY'LL BE CLOSE!

Mary-Evelyn held on to that ball the entire night!

Here's the birthday boy, Thomas!

Emma Carroll and Mary-Evelyn - sweet girls (little Nick and Jon)!