Bonfire Night

BONFIRE at the Cox's!

Ed and Janie know how to entertain and their autumn shindig was a blast!!
It was a great night and we left a very happy family!!

Lush surroundings:





Hayride:


Happy Children:









And a sweet reminder that we live in Tennessee:

Diana's Birthday

Another year bites the dust.

Yes, Diana is 6.

It's hard to believe, but I assure you it is true!



Diana surprised me this year by requesting we NOT have a "friends" birthday party.
She said (And I'm quoting word-for-word here):
"I don't want a party! All my friends want is to go in my room and mess up my stuff."
It didn't matter that I assured her that I wouldn't let them in her room, she was unmoved.

And yet, despite her protests, somehow she ended up having THREE parties.
None of them big or fancy, but all of them perfect!

~ First, we had an intimate little get-together at the park.

This was a chance for Diana and her best friend Samantha to celebrate!
It was a gorgeous day, and the kids took full advantage of the weather.
After playing, Diana opened her gifts from Samantha & her family as well as
presents from Dominick and Brooke. ~

~Later that evening we had our own little family party at the house!
She opened gifts from Mimi & Papa Fiore and from her Mimi & Papa Odom
and then the gifts from her Dad and I.

I think the pictures speak for themselves!
She loved EVERYTHING!

________

~ Finally, we had another little family celebration in Asheville, NC with
her Mimi & Papa Fiore. My mom-in-law slaved over a hot grocery store
and served a beautiful (DELICIOUS) birthday cake, and she even made
her famous apple pie that we all love!


In Asheville, we took Diana to Build-a-bear to pick out a new birthday friend!
Her new bunny "Cutie" will always be a reminder to her of the great times we've
had celebrating her 6th birthday!!!