Simply Sara

Lucas doesn't look to happy to be dressed up as a puppy dog in this picture and that's because he wasn't! We could never get him to put the hood on, but I think he still looked adorable! Matt, Lucas, Stephanie, Andy and Sara

We had a great time walking around the small, mountain town of Dillsboro N.C. before departing on our train ride. We were blessed with gorgeous weather all day! I found a couple treasures at the Christmas store that I will enjoy hanging on our Christmas tree this year. I've decided to make it an official tradition to buy a local (i.e. tourist) ornament from special trips we make as a family to add to our collection. I love the idea of building up a box full of ornaments that represent fun memories over the years! We all enjoyed delightful treats at a local chocolate shop. I was fascinated by all of the goodies on display, but even more fascinated by the enormous mixers and baking pans I saw in the back! If I had the time, I would have begged for a chocolate candy-making lesson! The owner was giving out free samples of fudge, and of course, I was the first to take up his offer! Lucas jumped in and even tried a couple bites! Can you tell he is my child?!

What a day! Friday, Matt, Lucas and I traveled to Dillsboro, N.C. with Matt's brother Andy and his fiancee Stephanie to ride the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad! As you can see, Lucas was fascinated by the long train! We rode in an open car about 45 minutes through gorgeous countryside enjoying the mountains on one side and a rocky river on the other! The afternoon was spent in an open field enjoying the "Peanuts Pumpkin Festival" where Lucas, dressed as a puppy dog, got to trick or treat, pet some animals, pick out a pumpkin, and play along with a bluegrass singer. We were utterly exahusted by the end of the day, but still managed to eat a really great dinner at " Mama G's " in Clayton Ga. (It was well worth the famished drive through several mountain towns, desperate for food that wasn't "fast".) If you're ever in the area, check out their Wild Mushroom Ravioli Alfredo! To die for! Warm hugs and kisses to Uncle Andy and Aunt Stephie for s...

I can't help but laugh as it is 11:30 p.m.; we are literally up to our elbows in yard sale preparations and I am taking the time to write a blog entry. And what, it's been at least a month since my last entry? We've been putting this day off for a year now, dreading the long hours of tedious preparation and the even longer hours of yard sale day. But the time has finally come to clear the junk out of the house, put price tags on each piece, and sell it to some unfortunate person who wishes to clutter up their home! (Actually we do have quite a lot of nice and interesting items to sell, but at this point in the evening, it all looks like junk to me!) In our pile of items to sell are ceiling speakers, baby clothes, adult clothes, a fridge, a couch, ceiling fans, and plenty of household items. I am desperately hoping that our efforts will not go in vain as the money made tomorrow will go towards our "Christmas/We really want to go skiing in Colorado this winter" fu...