From the Cutting Room Floor...

Did anyone else have this much trouble getting a good Christmas card picture?!?!?! Geeezzz! We tried it all- food, toys, goofy faces... Guess next year we will try a PROFESSIONAL! I actually liked some of the silly ones the best. They show the real Cora. Enjoy these outtakes.
The winning shot is at the end.

Antlers were cute last year. We'll give them another try.

Nope. Never mind that big cut on my chin. That's my girl.

Cora decided that emptying the entire contents of her toy box was way more fun than taking pictures.

Just keepin' it real.Then I decided to get artsy with the lights. It didn't take...I love this one! And the winner is...

What a cutie!

New Kid on the Block!

Owen just got a new baby brother today! Owen is the boy who lives across the street. Cora calles him "Oh-wo". They are best buddies. Owen stayed over last night when his parents went to the hospital. They had the best time.

I have to warn you that I grabbed the first pajama top and bottom that I got to... I go to great lengths to make sure that Cora is always dressed very neatly... Except at night. Who cares what you sleep in, right? You might find yourself asking who that homeless kid is that Oh-wo is hanging out with? We didn't know that she was going to be having a slumber party! She is going to get me one day for these...

Again, with the boots

Dress-Up Fun

Cora likes to dress up. Some days when I get to her school she is dressed in a hat, jacket, princess skirt, scarf, jewelry and then some! She likes to dress at home too. She has been very attached to scarves for several months now. Sometimes she walks around wearing a scarf for hours. She has also become mildly obsessed with a pair of hand-me-down snow boots. Cora is the lucky recipient of clothes from Kimberly (Hackett) Nichols' twins' clothes. The boots were in our last shipment! Well, we were in her room goofing off on Saturday morning and we started accessorizing. Soon, she looked like she was ready for the snow, minus the pants. She cracks me up! Everyone gets excited about a good sale!

Cora enjoying some berry pancakes- We love weekend mornings!

Good Groceries!

My Little Ham playing in the leaves

Cora with Nicholas and Ryan

OK! I know it has been over a month since I've posted. I'm back! I completely skipped November but it was full! We have put our house on the market and that has completely consumed us. I have not gotten too many pictures but I'll share what I have.

We spent Thanksgiving in Apex with Gabby, Uncle Roger and the rest of the Allen family. We were so glad that Ben, Tori, Nicholas and Ryan came down from D.C. this year! Cora got to meet 2 more cousins! We are so thankful to have such special families.

Uncle Roger, Grandpa Irv, Gabby (Great Aunt Betsy), Cora and Coy- Of course, Coy is telling a story...

Cora has had so much fun in the leaves. We have had plenty and so have the McCains! With all of these huge oaks, there is an endless supply.

Trick-or-Treat!

We decided to go to Reidsville for Halloween this year. It is rare that Halloween falls on a Saturday. This is really the only way that my mom would get to see Cora trick-or-treating.

The night reminded me of when I was young. We always piled into the back of Uncle Mike's truck and he took us from house to house. We would come back to Grandma Cora's and trade candy.

We missed hanging out with the McGuirts and Cecils but we were glad we went. We visited 7 houses and Trunk-or-Treat at "Big T". We were exhausted! Once we got to Gram's house, our last stop, Cora went from ballerina to Flash Dance dancer. She had had enough with the tutu. Cora got her cousin fix. Caroline and Morgan did not make it but I took pictures of everyone that did. We had such a fantastic time. We love Halloween!Cora at High Rock.

Cora got to go to the front door. We always had to go to the dark spooky kitchen to get treats when Mrs. Prince was living. SCARY!!!

Our first stop- Grandma Jennie and Grandpa Irving's house

Sleepy eyes

Cora admiring the decorations at the Cox's house

Something Scary (Jackson), Luigi (Carson), and Yoda (John Marshall)

Cora with Piglet (Laurel Ann)

Dawn and Frankenstein (Tannar) SO CUTE!!!

Prince Caspian (Sir William), Piglet and Flash Dancer watching Gram's funny hat

Pumpkin Patch

We visited a pumpkin patch. Cora had a great time. I think she wanted to take them all home. They had animals, a farm themed playground, hay rides and even a kid friendly corn maze. We had so much fun. We plan to go to the same place next year.

Fall-O-Ween Week

Mary sharing a cookie with Baby Jesus

Cora's school had a week of fun leading up to Halloween. Each day students were asked to dress according to a theme. Monday was Tacky Day. Cora wore a striped dress, polka dotted leggings, mismatched polka dot socks and red patent leather shoes. (That was the day that we met with our realtor. She was still there when Coy brought Cora home. Nice.) Tuesday was cowgirl/cowboy/farmer day. Pink overalls, of course. Wednesday was 60's, 70's or 80's day. She wore "loud" print bell bottom pants. On Thursday she was supposed to dress like what she wants to be when she grows up??? We put her in a Carolina shirt and jeans. We'll be excited if she wants to be a Carolina Girl some day :) On Friday, they were asked to dress like a person from the Bible. We went to the last minute on this decision. Cora was Mary. She wore white and blue and carried Baby Jesus. Unfortunately, the only day I took pictures was Friday. She was too cute. Poor Jesus, He ended up naked and thrown in the parking lot but He was a good sport.

Mary snacking on Cheerios

So sweet.

Cora wanted Daisy to kiss Baby Jesus.