343 Beautiful Girl!

I took family photos for a fabulously talented photographer friend back in July, and we agreed on a services swap. I just had to get the girls in to her studio. I had been trying and things kept falling through. Finally today we were able to stop in. She has such a great space! I was absolutely jealous! 

I can't wait to see how they turn out!!! 

I had to sneak though, and take a quick one of the DQ with my camera.

341 Looking Good!

We finally made it to the doctor for the DQ's six month post-op x-ray. The doc said her back looks great! We were pretty sure that is what we would hear, but it is fabulous to get confirmation of that.

What a blessing!

336 Grandma's House

Last day in AZ!

We are certainly not happy to be leaving, but we are excited to go home and prepare for our new adventure...moving to South Carolina!

We spent the day with my mom, and had dinner with her and the LT's mom and step-dad. 

This picture in at my mom's house. There are a ton of pictures of my sister and I in front of this fireplace. You can even see some hanging up on the walls too! The girls had their toys out all over the place, and Zena photobombed it, but this is my home and there are so many happy memories there. I am glad to have a picture of my girls here too!!

328 Twinners! (sort of)

Today we enjoyed Thanksgiving #3 with the LT's mom's family. The food was delish as always!! The DQ and her grandma were thinking alike when they got dressed today!

315 We're Heeeeere!!

In AZ! And we couldn't be happier!!

314 More Good Friends

I took some family pictures for our good friends today, and the girls came along. We wanted to get a photo of all of the kids since they like to play together. Also, that little blonde guys is in love with the DQ, so we had to get one of them together. We will miss this sweet family so much!!

311 VOTE!

The girls are getting all caught up in the election madness. They even tried to make me choose between the two of them!!!

308 Temple Trip

Now that the DQ is 12, she is able to do work in the LDS Temple. 

Today was a youth temple trip and so the LT volunteered to drive up to Atlanta and help out.

It was a great day for them to spend some time together, and a beautiful and spiritual experience for the DQ!

306 Glow Show

The girls are having fun with their left-over glow sticks.

Tonight they put on a dance show for me.

305 Happy Halloween!!

From my scuba diver entangled in a jellyfish and some delicious cotton candy!

300 Everybody Dance Now!

The DQ went to the Halloween dance at school today. She is still involved with several clubs there, and has been helping organize the event. She even went early and stayed late to help out!

The kids wore costumes and she was really excited to wear hers. She reminded me several times that she was going to enter the "most creative" contest.

And guess what!?

She won!

Well, she technically tied, but the boy she tied with had a store-bought costume, so in my mind, she won.

She still got a super cool "Most Creative" sash and another sash made out of candy.

Can you guess what she is??

Hint: She is not wearing the mask or snorkel...

She's a diver entangled in a jellyfish!!

298 Pumpkining

The DQ's church activity tonight was carving pumpkins. The girls got into groups to plan, clean, and carve. They had a blast! Afterwards, they were treated to brownies and hot apple cider. Getting into the fall spirit! (in a t-shirt and shorts of course)

285 Six Months

The day she has been counting down to has finally arrived.

Today marks 6 months since the DQ's surgery.

She is now free to run and jump and return to normal activities.

I know that for that first month she thought she'd never feel well again.

Thankfully, as the great doctor promised, she is feeling nearly back to her old self. Her back does ache if she's up and walking a lot. He said that at the one year mark she will have made as much progress as she ever will. Meaning, if there is something that is kind of bothering her, it will forever if it hasn't cleared up by then.

What a miracle science is.

We are eternally grateful for the care she received, for our health insurance that covered the procedure, and most importantly, to our Father in Heaven for keeping her safe, comforting us all during the scary times, and helping her to heal so well!

281 Bonfire!

Some friends invited us over to roast marshmallows this evening. The day had been pretty warm, but once the sun started going down, it got pretty chilly! This little guy LOVES the DQ. He was so excited to hang out with her!! We will certainly miss good friends when we move.

280 Who Are These Two!?

We went to a birthday party today and these silly glasses were in the goody bags. The girls thought they were hilarious. They certainly look pretty silly!

279 It's Fall Y'all!

I couldn't resist that title! It cracks me up, but it's so appropriate for the South.

We met some friends up at a pumpkin patch this morning. 

Don't let their outfits deceive you... it's still not quite sweater weather yet, we were hoping it would be though when we left this morning.

I love these girls SO much!!!

277 Books!

This came today from the DQ's school! Forty four pounds of books and school equipment! Time to get crackin'!

276 Road Trip!!

We took a field trip today to Providence Canyon in Lumpkin, GA. 

It was SO much fun!! We brought a good friend along and ended up hiking 5 miles around and through the canyon.

Bean brought along her notebook and took some notes, but was just too busy looking around to take many.

My favorite was when we found some mushroom looking things, that I finally just said were some kind of fungus. She got out her notebook and said, "How do you spell haggis?" 

"Haggis!? What are you writing about?" 

"The stuff here on the tree!"

"Oh! Fungus!!"

273 Loved

I got a text this morning from this little guys mom. She said "Are you going to the baptism this afternoon? R woke up at 5:50 this morning crying for the DQ and I promised him he could see here there."

She has babysat for him and his big brother and they just adore here. 

When he walked into the room for this afternoon's church event, he walked straight over to her and sat in her lap the whole time. 

TOO cute.

269 Fall Festival

Dexter Elementary had their Fall Festival early this year. Bean was SO excited to go.

The evening was warm, but not too bad. Daddy was even able to meet us there after work!

The DQ volunteered to help to clock hours for NJHS and she was also happy to see friends there.

It was a great night for all!!