First Dusting in NC

Jon woke up at 4am with a sore throat. We had some medicine, watched some TV, only to look outside at 5am and see that it had started to snow!
Meg was out of town in Utah. She was actually watching Twilight while the snow was falling here.
I had gotten home from the movie just 1 hour before Jon woke up. OK, I will admit, the movie was pretty good, but definitely not worth getting only 1 hour of sleep that night.

My Favorite...

One of my favorite things that Jake and Jon do together (so many to choose from!) is when we are done with prayers and hugs and kisses. Jake announces, "Train's Leaving!" Jon, in a panic that he will miss the train to bed, leaps from the couch or chair or ground, whatever, onto Jakes back. Then, off the train goes to Jon's room where he will fight sleep for a few hours before finally sucumbing. I think/hope this will be one of the things Jon will remember when he is grown. Also, how long can Jake's back hold up? Will Jon still want to do this when he is a... dum dum dum... TEENAGER!? Well, I treasure these moments while they last. I just love my boys! meg

The First Frost

Today, October 30th, we received our first frozen morning. Even though the pictures don't show it, we thought, for a moment, that it was snow!
Jon was very excited, as you can see by the following pictures...

Halloween Party No. 2 and 3

Friday, we had our annual "Trunk or Treat" at the church. Jon was Lego Mr. Freeze (from Batman).
Lego Mr. Freeze!

Meg and Angie Turner (Jayson Stark's Assistant)
A thirsty Cullen, indeed...


Later, we went to our friend's, the Colliers for an adult Halloween party where we found multiple Sarah Palins, Wolverine, Frankenstein, and several rednecks...

Thanks to Lori and Dave for putting on a great party! We are so sorry to hear about your friend, Myra. I am glad that someone found her remains... At least, now you have closure.


A Dart, Adrian (Rocky), and Troll DollBrothers?

Who does your hair?
Meet Joe Dirt meets Splash
Sarah doing what she does best, wears appropriate pins on her lapel. Great Costume, Kimmy!
A "not" thirsty Edward (click on photo to enlarge) and his Trollphy Wife!
Troll or Fish, you decide. And yes...that is her real hair.

Jon

So Meg was playing a song she learned from her childhood and Jon heard it and said, "ooo, oo, I want to learn that!" So, he stood up and watched Meg play for about 6 seconds, kicked her off the bench and never looked back...
Here it is...

I Think I'm Turning Japanese, I really Think So!!!!

The Breischaft's
The Chapman's
On Saturday, we went to the Japanese Restaurant, Kanki, with several friends and their families. We had a great time! Yes, this is the kind where the chef cooks in front of you. I wish I could say that our camera broke and we could not take any more pictures and that's why we don't have an pics of the onion volcano, brain on drugs, and fancy shrimp flipping.... But, I can't, the food and entertainment was so good, we just forgot to take pictures of him in action...
Here are the kids out front of the restaurant.

Two of the three beautiful people in our family. Wait, I mean, this is ALL of the beautiful people in our family... Our fish is also beautiful and part of our family, he is just considered "people."
I had a terrible time.

1 Potato, 2 potato, 3 potato......
Kids are so lucky that my wife exists....
This was after ice cream at Goodberry's!!!

MUSE-ic

As none of you know, but will after reading this, my family is WAY into music. Our very most favorite band indisputably is MUSE! Well, I was thinking to myself one night as I was listening to what can only make other music jealous, I thought, I wonder if everyone knows about them. Hailing from England, MUSE is set to take over the Rock Universe. In the beginning they were said to be a Radiohead look-alike. Tsk tsk. I am a fan of Radiohead, don’t get me wrong, but seriously, MUSE is so superior there can be no comparison. You may have noticed this most awesome band all over my blog? You may even wonder about my musical interests? I have heard, “How can sweet little Meg be interested in this kind of music?” Well, I have been a fan of rock for as long as I can remember. My favorite song at age 9 was “Pour some sugar on me”. What? Inappropriate? Absolutely! But, hey, where else am I going to find complicated melodies and songs about tortured love. I find that WAY more interesting than singing about some girl you met in a club. M’kay. It seems as if Matt Bellamy (lead singer, song writer, guitarist, piano genius extraordinaire) has an extra set of hands while laying those melodies out on the piano. I mean, c’mon! This is out of this world. Interestingly enough, I think he is singing about some sort of apocalyptic end near Mars. Weird, yea. Brilliant, absolutley. I get the most pleasure out of it when he plays the organ with reckless abandon. The ORGAN! My personal favorite is “Time is running out”. However, if you are more of take it slow kind of a person, check out “Falling away with you” or “Endlessly”. Either way, you are in for a treat. Don’t believe me? Check out this killer review online. Careful of the swear word. You have been warned. http://www.nme.com/reviews/7970 Still reading? You must really love me Nessa. Well, I love Stephanie Meyer for the introduction to this uber superior band as well as Twilight of course. I am forever grateful. So, check out the album Absolution (well, any album really) by MUSE and you will not be disappointed. Much love-MEG

Thank you!

This was left on our front porch secretively for Jake's birthday and we have no idea Quinton who did it Quinton. It is nice to know Jake has such great friends Quinton. If only we Quinton knew who Quinton did it. We could Quinton thank him or her Quinton properly. Jake especially loved the Ben-gay! He is getting up there in age and it is nice to have friends Quinton to remind you of that. THANK YOU anonymous Quinton Chapman gift giver!

Happy Birhtday Jake!!! *35* GASP!!

Ok, so this is suuper gushy and not at all Jake style, but I wanted to prove that I could make a video (with way too much help from Jon) all on my own. Also, I am totally smitten with my husband and I wanted to pay tribute to this most amazing man on his special day! Jake, you make life better. WE LOVE YOU!! *meg*jon* ***side note:Please pause our playlist before playing this video.***

Marshmallow Night

It has been in the 90's and 100's up until this week, when, suddenly, it has dropped into the low 70's for highs. Tropical Storm Kyle has caused much rain and a drop in temperature that we decided to make the most of it.


We even made smores in front of our fire and had a great time!

I love my friends!

I just thought it would be a good time for me to shout out to my girls here in NC. I am so!! thankful for great friends. Kristy, I owe you one for having beautiful babies and sharing them with me. Lisa, for just about everything, but mostly for dragging my lazy behind to the gym every once in a while. You guys are priceless to me! All of my friends are, I just wanted to spotlight these two cuties for now. ;)

Jon's new do!

Jake cut Jon's hair recently and I really love it! I just thought you guys would want to see. Do you like all the angles? Me too.

Happpy Birthday, Jon!

Today is Jon's birthday,
Shout Hip Hip Hooray!

We've got us a good one,

A great guy, we say.

He grows up way too fast,

He is NINE! *gasp*

With great love of music,

The piano he plays.

We think he'll be a great master

Of music someday.

We love him so dearly-

From here to Timbucktoo,
So shout it from rooftops...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Super Hero Fans? Anyone?

Jon is into comic books now. *ahem* Mom's influence. Anyway, I sent Jake in to turn off Jon's lights and make sure he was indeed asleep. (he seldom ever is) Well, this is what Jake found. Jon cracks us up. Also, Jon has started piano. He is so excited. He loves music and he has a great teacher. Life is fun!

Hanging Rock Camping Trip

We had a great time with our good friends the Garff family at Hanging Rock State Park, NC. Needless to say, I was terrified of the million foot drop cliff with 4 kids and a dog. whew... Jon had so much fun with Brandon, Sydney, Ruby and Ace! Thanks for a great time Garff family!