It's Fall Y'all

Cleopatra poses the "correct" way.  Showing how to "walk like an egyptian"

Too fun to have a costume where you HAVE to wear lots of dark eye makeup

Wolverine shows off his muscles. (it's ok that you can hardly breathe when you look like this)

The claws stayed on for a good part of the trunk-or-treating .  Then it got too hard to hang on to them AND all the candy.

Katniss and her bow and arrows.  They could actually shoot. 

Emily's book report on Anne Frank. (bookshelf infront of hidden door)

Our back yard this week was really pretty.

We've had sickness still around....everyone taking turns.  But, for the most part are doing well. 

Chimney Tops

We drove a LONG way to get into the Smokies...but, the last 20 minutes or so looked like this.  It was a gorgeous canopy of trees.

We took a picnic basket of goodies plus a bucket of KFC, towels just in case and our smiles.

It was a bit chilly at first....but, was finger lickin' good.

Our picnic view.

This is Chimney Top.  A rocky stream.  Ice cold in October!

We found these beautiful purple flowers everywhere.

First item of business, plan our attack.....Gene's plan....get all kids to the other side (without getting wet)

There are some really smooth, big rocks.  It was a beautiful place to get a lesson on river hopping.

 

A hop, skip and a big jump and Dad is over to the other side.  Tara and Jake look for another way.

There was some strategic planning...alot of rerouting.

One of my favorite shots

This was the part I crossed.....all a "normal stride" apart.

The bottom roots of a fallen tree.

Jake and I taking a breather

Leaves are starting to change.

Jake made it to the other side.  He was so brave.....getting there was a big jump down....getting back, however, was a whole different story.  He ended up with a wet right leg (and foot).

One stop up the mountain to see the beautiful view.  Lady bugs attacked us.  We got 6 off our clothes after we were in the car.  We found another one still in the car a day later.

We saw a black bear.  Right in the middle of the photo.  There was a big momma bear and a baby bear. 

The first thing I saw on my fieldtrip to the Appalacian Museum at Norris was

the mules (behind me).

This is a tar rock, but I don't know what it was for.

 

The coolest broom EVER!!!!!!!

                                                    

This is the harpsicord which sounds like a harp but is now the inside of a piano.

 

These are wild peacock so I got to get really close to them. I almost got chased by the baby peacock.

me to the left, Alyssa in the middle, and Surra to  the right.

Me and my peacock feather. It's so cool!

 

HELLO my name is West Hills.  They messed up the name tags:).

 

Tara is dressing and wearing her hair a little differently.  Snapped a shot just to show.  Can't really see it...but, she's found happiness in the little things in 7th grade. 

Trying on a few ideas for Halloween.  It's a process, right?

We found the new solution to growing girls....the Farragut Goodwill.  Fancy, nice labels, right sizes and a whole new outfit (including snake leather shoes) $13.  I'm telling ya, it's a gold mine! 

Believe it or not this is after conference (sitting for 2 hours-does a body good.) 

It really cooled off yesterday-Gene did a fundraiser yesterday for East TN children's hospital.  He had to "struggle" through hours of golfing, poor guy! 

Emily started an acting class down town with Children's Theatre of Knoxville.  She loves it.  All those little personalities were a bit overwhelming at first-but, it looks like this will be a fun place for her to learn a little bit about the acting stage!  She's Farmer Bean in their first play.

Gene and Tara went to a Taekwondo class-Tara loved it.  Gene tore a calf muscle and will put off taking more classes til he's healed in a while.  Tara starts volleyball on Tuesday.   She also spent Friday night babysitting .  Emily and I went that same night to mother daughter book club and read  "Uglies" by Scott Westerfield. (if you are ever wondering what life would be like in a 'barbie' world, you should read it.) 

Jacob is selling popcorn for the scouts and working hard to be "super" everyday. 

I'm sitting here grateful that there was a busy but quiet week....no disasters, but on the contrary, some nice acts of kindness, sweet words and helpfulness and quiet moments of happiness.  I'm saying a prayer of thanks!

 

IT was teacher appreciation week and so we put together caramel dip and apples for all our favorite teachers. 

Jacob worked hard and got his BEAR award in cubscouts.  He wasn't up there long enough for me to focus.....

cream cheese mixed with caramel, layer of caramel on top of that and then a crushed Heath bar on top of that!  Yummm.....

With cub scout day camp this summer he got so many belt loops!

His best smile.

 

Emily wanted to capture the beautiful sunset Weds. night after activity days.

She brought her friend Alyssa...Tara made them matching warm fuzzies

Two perfect sized bushes for hiding and popping up and surprising people coming out of church.

 

Gene had a good trip to Chicago...weather and planes cooperated well...nothing to report, which is good.  He had to skip out of the 5K for Saturday because his leg was bothering him so much.  He's been going to physical therapy.  It's not fun. 

Other than that, we are all good.