The Krispy Kreme Elf- Occasionally we will drop in at the KK on Franklin and take Coy's lab a little box of yumminess. They are always well received!
These are the goody bag for Cora's Thanksgiving party at school. I was sort of proud of how they turned out. Pretty good considering that the Santa decorations are out before Halloween. It's not easy to find turkey stuff! AND contrary to the rest of this soul food/junk food heavy post, there are oranges and goldfish crackers instead of candy in these bags.
Cora with Carson- We met Carson's parents, Stacie and Regan about 10 years ago and became very close friends instantly! For most of that time we lived very close and visited with each other what seemed like weekly! After Cora and Carson joined the picture, the visits slowed a little. We have both recently moved in opposite directions. We're now about an hour away and our visits have slowed way down. We miss them so much!
One of many pictures of Cora in her new big girl bed. She is pretty good at staying in bed. The problem is that the easiest way to get her to go to sleep is to lay in bed with her. I know that this too shall pass so I am enjoying the arm slung around my neck for now:) She has a beautiful new comforter, sheets and pillows--BUT notice the blue blanket. This is "Big". My mom made it for Coy while he was in school at UNC. Cora can't sleep at night without it. And it is indeed big! It's almost too much for her to drag from room to room. I don't know what we would do if something happened to it!
Okay, so the healthy food police (me) needs to brace for these pictures... My mom gets Cora from school on Thursdays to help me out because Coy is in class- oh, and yeah, she gets to see Cora:) We have started going to a little restaurant in Hillsborough called the Village Diner. This place is a jewel! It is set up buffet style with fried chicken, barbecue, turnip greens, hush puppies, homemade banana pudding... and fried fatback. Our girl loves crunchy fried fatback. I figure 1 time a week can't hurt, right? The organic, whole, baby food makin', no artificial anything mama in me just fainted. That's helpful because the pictures don't get much better.This next one is of Cora showing off that she is on her second chicken leg of the evening.
Cora recently had the pleasure of roasting marshmallows. Easy to see that it was a hit. Marshmallows are totally real food right?
I can't tell if she likes them or not. Can you?
Look! They have the same eyes! 
That's better!
Papa with his girls. Natalie was such a ham for the camera and she flirted with Coy the whole time.
During my October intersession break Cora and I took a trip to the Hillsborough Fire Station. The Station is located right downtown and she gets so excited every time she sees it. She loves to look into the big windows as we drive past to see if the are eating supper- hummm... sort of like a firefighter fishbowl. Anyhow, I thought it would be a good idea to let her meet and get comfortable around firemen. Hopefully we would never encounter one on official business. But in the case that we did, I want her to know that they are our friends. 
She insisted on wearing the seatbelt. 
Look at that smile!
Cora walking down Churton after the fire station- she looks like she is really reflecting on our little field trip. Now- let's go to Tupelo's and get some lunch! Such a fun day!
I have the best Uncle Mike in the world. He loves our family so much and we all adore him. He has been through such a tough year. In the first days after our Aunt Joanie passed away, we found ourselves being comforted by him. He is as genuine, kind and strong as any man I have ever known. I love him so much. I recently wrote "My Uncle Mike is the best...He took all of us on the best hay ride ever. Everyone needs an Uncle Mike like mine." on Facebook. There were a flurry of comments to follow. Here are a few-
No trip would be complete without a trip out to visit Papa and the animals.
