Halloween

Halloween is not my favorite holiday, and yet we always seem to make a big to-do about it.

Aldi is by far the best place to get pumpkins and the kids love carving them.

Jalen went all in! (Literally - as you'll see below.)

Baylie also loves getting into the spirit of the carve.

I saw something on the internet about cleaning out the pumpkin by using beaters and it was amazing!

David loves to help with the carving. He's always creative about it and would probably prefer to just have his own pumpkin.

Not sure exactly what is happening here...

See what I meant by "all in"?

Lights on...

...lights off!

We weren't really planning on trick or treating this year. But at the last minute, there was a change of heart, so the boys threw on the Argentina gaucho ponchos, some Mexican hats, and a Spanish sword. Whatever works!

Baylie decided to go out with her friend Savannah Stevens.

Pumpkins rot quickly here in South Carolina, which makes them even spookier! 

We started a new tradition last year of a gratitude pumpkin. It's been fun to write what we're grateful for and we can keep it up through October and November - although it started to turn a little before Thanksgiving and had to go!

I decided to make a special Halloween dinner and grabbed an OPTAVIA stuffed pepper recipe. I thought they turned out really cute and were also tasty.

Rather than dressing up, I just chose to wear my Disney Halloween t-shirt and some festive leggings from Aldi.

It was a very Happy Halloween!

Irmo High School Tennis

Baylie loves tennis. She earned a varsity letter as an 8th grader and this year as a freshman, she had an amazing season. She played singles, usually 4th, but sometimes higher and had the second best record on her team. 

She has great skills and when she believes in herself, she's almost impossible to beat.

Her serve is one of the best I've seen for girls her age.

I really appreciate the positive approach of her coaches and the girls she plays with are sweet.

The principal - Dr. Kaaren Hampton - came to watch. She's a great supporter of her students (and so pretty!!).

More action shots.

Teammates and fans (Natalie Bailey is on the back row and Nitya Cherukumalli is in the front. They are both sweet friends.)

Announcing the starting line up.

The team

And even more action shots.

I love watching her play - even though it's nerve wracking!

Coach Stan set this shot up. He's a crack up. We love him.

Utah

The kids had a 3-day weekend so we decided to go to Utah for a BYU football game and to see family. Flying standby is always an adventure.

Thank goodness Carolina airports are so awesome. They're my favorite airports.

On board!

I am grateful for any time I get to share with my parents. I love them so much!

And Baylie loves to be with the twins.

I think this is a cool mug.

So glad my healthy eating habits have rubbed off on Mom - NOT!

There are few things I love more than waking up and walking into this.

The three of us have lost about 255 lbs.!!

And of course, there must be cookie making.

Another favorite view! The fans head into the stadium.

And the team heads into the locker room.

It was fun meeting up with my cousin Katie and her son Kelby before the game. Kelby is a huge Cougars fan.

At one of my favorite places with some of my favorite people.

More of my favorites!!

Prior to the game, my friend Kellie Knapp's family was recognized since her son is going through leukemia treatments. I was grateful to be there to see that.

They all love sleeping in the same room, which is awesome.

And way too soon, we were on our way back home.

Fortunately, we made all our flights without any problems. That hardly ever happens!