Careys visit October 2010

Doug’s Mom and Dad came into town for a long weekend during October.  We had so much fun with them when they were here!

They arrived on Thursday night, when we then went to Frankie's for dinner.  After dinner, the manly men put Doug's new table saw together.  A little history on the saw...Truth be told, the Careys actually named Doug’s table saw…They bought it for Doug on super-sale.  Because it took at least three men to load this 300 lb (plus) saw into their vehicle, there it sat until it arrived with them at our doorstep.  The saw went to the Tigers’ game (parking lot), to church and even on another road trip.  Thank you for putting it together for Doug, Jim.  I KNOW he appreciates it!

Friday Doug and I had to work, but the kids went with Grandma and Grandpa to McDonald's.  That night, we grilled out and went out for ice cream.

Saturday they were able to watch Ava at her swim lesson.  We were on our way to Cagle's corn maze when we got sidetracked...We saw the Blue Angels in the sky and decided to see if we could get closer to their show.  We headed down to Dobbins Air Force Base.  It is amazing to watch them fly!  It was unbelievable to me to watch them fly straight up into the air, perpendicular with earth, and then stall-out their engines.  Wow, not something with which I’d be comfortable!  Two planes  would also fly fairly close together, the first plane going in circles around another plane, as the second  plane continued to climb straight into the air.  Amazing to witness such flying skill!

When we arrived at Cagle's, the kids got to ride some ponies while we were there.  The SAME WOMAN, that was the horse wrangler from the festival we went to with Dad and Dolly, brought her horses to this  farm, too.  So Ava got to ride “Captain Crunch” for a second time this fall.  J  She loves horses.  Liam seemed to enjoy riding his horse, too! 

We headed into the corn maze, too, where we would go a different direction depending on an answer to a question at each outpost.  We made our way through!  But we also saw a really creepy farm employee who was perched in a tower situated within the corn maze.  We laughed and said it reminded us of the movie “Deliverance.” 

The farm also had a really cute bounce-type structure that looked like a haystack.  The kids loved it.  It was a beautiful fall day!  I soaked up our experience at Cagle's because fall is my absolute favorite season!  With it comes all things maple, apple, apple cider, the gorgeous changing of tree leaves, followed by the crunch of leaves under your feet, and a time of thankfulness.  Soak in it.  J

Sunday we went to church, ventured home for lunch, then let the kids play outside while Doug and his Dad finished up the saw assembly.  We headed to the mall later, where the kids played on a soft play area and went on the carousel. 

On Monday, the Careys returned back to Michigan, sans Mr. Saw.  I'm sure their gas mileage improved, too!  ;-)

Peace, love and happy fall, y’all!

Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam

The creepy farm employee in a tower seat...

Lily Mize's Birthday Party

Doug worked with Jim Mize at the Preston Partnership.  I was able to meet his wife Jeanine during one of Preston's black tie affairs.  I thought it was really neat...Bob Preston always held these events during late January or early February, in lieu of a holiday party, so more of his staff and customers could attend.  Bonus for attendees, as all of the holiday dresses, etc are on major clearance by that time!  :)  It was always fun to get dressed up and head to Anthony's in Buckhead.  Anthony's is an old mansion right in the middle of Buckhead, complete with a cool, old wine cellar.  Doug and I enjoyed going to each of these events.  I hit it off famously with Jeanine Mize.  She is so sweet!  She had their daughter Lily about a year before we had Ava.  Since then, we've hung-out occasionally and go to Lily's birthday parties, Easter celebrations, Halloween parties, 4th of July fireworks, etc.  They're so fun! 

Jeanine is seriously crafty when it comes to party invitations and all-things-PARTY.  Her party invitations are the best!  She would love to get into party-planning. I think she would seriously clean-up in this category!

These are pictures of Lily's 5th birthday party.  Invitations mentioned kids should come dressed in costume.  She had it at Pettit Farms, complete with camels (which we fed), a bounce house, corn maze and petting zoo.  It was the closest I've ever come to a camel.  I was quite a bit out of my comfort zone in feeding one, too!  :)  Lily was a spider, with an outfit homemade by her Mama.  Very cool birthday party, super cute costume!

Peace, love and FIVE candles for Lily!
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam