wrapping it up

Bailey and I were watching TV last night and he asked me, "why doesn't anybody celebrate Thanksgiving?"  It's true. When I was shopping for Halloween costumes, the Christmas wreaths were on the next isle.  It kind of creeped me out a little.
I will say we have enjoyed a glorious fall - the weather has been fantastic and I'm not sure if it is just my heightened awareness or appreciation for everything but the trees have been exceptionally pretty this year.  I try to catch the sunrise most days over my dogwood tree in the backyard.  For about 5 minutes it looks like it's on fire - an awesome display of God's artwork.
We managed to work in pretty much every fall festivity - by Halloween, I was pretty much festified all I wanted to be.

 I was pretty proud of Bailey for designing and carving his pumpkin by himself, and I love the way his is staring at Kate's with the one big eye - typical.

We did Daisy scout festivities, church festivities, neighborhood festivities, and of course trick or treating.  I was really praying that the rain would continue on Halloween and we could settle for popcorn and a movie, but no such luck.  Kate wore her super girl costume to 5 houses and headed home - she's not big on distance walking even if it is for candy.
I drug my kids to the cotton field so I could take a quick picture and used Uncle Ed's hayride festivities as bribery - thanks Uncle Ed.  They acted foolish for the pictures, of course.  Bailey had his disgusting-I-don't-want-to-be-seen-with-her-look the whole time and Kate posed like she was on the cover of Teen Beat.  He gets really bent out of shape with her antics and pretty much every picture session ends with them hitting each other and her crying.  I've taken dozens of pictures of friends kids where you tell them to stand, hug each other, and smile and they do it.  Quickly.  Mine? Never.  As punishment, I made them get dressed again the next day and go back there - still accomplished nothing because it was almost dark but they thought it was worth the effort to see the deer running through the cotton fields.

And, of course, there's football season. We will wrap it up with the Egg Bowl this week - nothing says thankful like college football.  I consider the end of football season somewhat of a holiday around here.  I do enjoy the atmosphere for a game or two and the time we get to spend together  but after so many weekends, I can honestly say that I won't miss the drone of sports talk radio, the halting of any Saturday activities, and the really late night drives home.  That being said, I wouldn't trade those times for anything.  I love the bond that Stephen and Bailey share over MSU football and the way Kate loves Bully and dances to the Maroon Band.

This fall has certainly brought a lot of memories, new experiences, and moments to treasure.  As we look forward to this week of Thanksgiving, I for one, plan to celebrate it fully.  I have a lot to be thankful for, as we all do.