Happenings

November kind of slipped up on me!  I may or may not be pulling out the Christmas decorations this week, so I better catch up on what has been happening around here!

High school football is winding down.  The play offs start for several of our schools this week, so that is always fun.

We have so enjoyed getting to see all our friends play, dance, and cheer this year.  Basketball is cranking up though, so we have more fun times to come,

We are enjoying some lovely afternoons when the weather seems just too perfect to be anywhere but outside.  The COLD is coming this week, not sure that I am ready for all that.

We took Ella Kate to see Jackson Prep's production of The Little Mermaid.  It was insanely good and EK was all about it.

The Nelsons came down one day and the kids had a blast making sand art.  This is what grandparents are for because this mean, no fun mom avoids crafts like sand art like the plague!

On the day before Halloween, EK got to wear a costume to dance.  She chose a mermaid dress instead of her actual Halloween costume.  See, that play had quite an impact on her!

On Halloween day, J and I had to split up with the kids while they had there school activities.  J snagged a couple of pictures of Walker in the costume parade and party at the preschool.

I am fairly certain that the cozy coupe was not intended to carry this much of a load!

For the last several weeks, our senior high has been having worship outside around a fire.  I absolutely love it! It's so intimate (as intimate as you can be with a ton of students) and it just has that "cool" factor.  The kids got to hear J and the band practicing last night before they went to their class. Walker was cutting a rug!

Finally, a little Emma update.  After a little hang up with the National Visa Center we were finally able to submit our final immigration and visa paperwork to China.  We are waiting on what is called the Article 5. It will be delivered on the 17th and then we will just be waiting on our travel date!  This can take anywhere from 1-5 weeks.  Because our agency sends travel groups once a month, it is looking like we will be traveling in January.  Thank you to all who purchased items during the Noonday sale and also in the Dandelion Design label sale! We were floored by your generosity and so very thankful for your kindness!!! We are so close to bringing our baby girl home! Thank you for being a part of her story!

Halloween Fun

These two. They are a mess. They decided on this year's costume selection way back. Who would have thought that our Dawgs would actually be ranked #1 when it came time to rock our costumes?!?!

We took the kids by to visit my Papaw early in the afternoon and after that we went to my parent's house so everyone could see my cuties.

Our friends Bill and Amanda invited us to a Halloween party at their house. Their neighbor is FULL of little people and was the perfect trick or treating spot!

While the girls were playing, they decided everyone needed to partner up so no one would get left behind when going out in the neighborhood.  Smart girls. EK and AM were partners.  EK called AM "Queen Elsa" the entire night when speaking to her.  Too funny.  

This guy was all about some trick or treating.  He walked the majority of the way around the block and the creepier the porch decorations, the better.  He stayed for several minutes checking out a motorized witch at one house discussing how it worked with the scary looking, skeleton painted face homeowner.

We had to pose with the decor on this porch. Instead of greeting the homeowners with trick or treat, W sang the fight song!

And this one....see that pile of candy wrappers? I'm sure most parents would expect their 5 year old to eat all that candy on Halloween.  Well, EK doesn't eat candy. When I saw the pile, I asked her what happened to all the candy. She said, "I don't like, but Annie sure does!"  Ooops!!!! Sorry Amanda! Your dog's tummy may not be able to recover from her buddy's generosity.

Funny kiddos at the end of the night all sugared up and sporting "face paint" thanks to the help of some magic markers.  We had a great night with great friends!

Kindergarten Hoedown

Yesterday was the much anticipated Hoedown at the kindergarten.  We spent the morning playing games, singing songs, hay riding, and checking out some farm life.  Such a fun day with my girl and her sweet friends!

Kay Kay was able to sneak away from her class a few times to see EK do her thing.

We panned for gold.

The pony rides were a huge hit.

EK was obsessed with the rabbit in the petting zoo.  She did not even acknowledge/notice the goats, chickens, geese and pigs in there with her.

The kids got "branded."

The games were so cute and I was cracking up at how intense some 5 year olds could get.  Serious business, y'all.

Sweet little class.

Loved, loved, loved my morning with this one.

EK and L are the sweetest.

Pumpkin rolling racing is the best.

The class had a campfire sing a long.

Mrs. Streeter is the best music teacher ever.  We just LOVE her.

We took a hay ride around the school.  These girls had a blast.

This girl had a wonderful morning with her friends and I am so thankful for the special time and memories!

50's Day at MRA

Well, we have made it to the 50th day of kindergarten and to celebrate, EK's class had a morning filled with 50's themed activities.

There was hula hooping and bubble gum blowing.

Lots and lots of pictures were taken with friends.

There were some interesting dances at the sock hop station.  EK took a more lyrical approach to her dancing.

She loosened up when her BFF found her.

I can't even deal. That hand on the hip.

The craft time was a hit for my crafty little girl.  The coke floats...not so much. Shocker, Ella Kate wouldn't try them. She's just soooooo picky!

Loved getting to see my girl this morning.  The kids had a ball.  So thankful for teachers who create such special and memorable experiences for the students! 

Happenings

So, what have we been up to around the Nelson house....well, we have been soaking up every minute of our Dawgs in the #1 spot.  EK was thrilled to get to wear her maroon to school on college spirit day.

Walker loves the Dawgs too.  He always insists on sitting on our bulldog when taking his picture outside.

Most Fridays you can find us at a local high school football game.  Love getting to see our "big kids."

I must brag on Miss Priss.  Once a month at school, the PE classes participate in "Running Club." Each child is given 15 minutes to run a mile.  For each mile you run, you get a foot charm that can be displayed on your backpack.  EK completed her mile during the October running club.  She was so proud!  

  They are mighty sweet to each other....every once in a while!

I love when I get pictures of EK's work from school.  It is amazing to see how far her writing has come!

There are just a few more days to order your labels from my friend Sarah. They are only $15 ($11 of which go straight to our adoption expenses) and they make great happies to give or just are perfect to jazz up any package you need to give. 

And speaking of our adoption....we have submitted the necessary paperwork for Emma's visa. We are now waiting on our Article 5. It should be here within 2 weeks. After that we will wait for our travel invitation!!!! This typically takes a couple of weeks which would have us traveling in December!!!  My prayer all along has been to have Emma home by Christmas. It's possible, but because of holidays and such, it could be January. Either way, I'm just ready for my baby to be home!