Halloween-themed Play Group

I feel like I have been celebrating Halloween for so long now!  With all the pumpkin patches, party staging, Trunk-or-Treat and now a play group, I think October has been the longest month of the year!  Don't get me wrong, it's all been so fun!   Today was play group at our home.  We colored, ate some fun snacks, played Halloween BINGO, and socialized.  I thought the weather was going to be rainy and an indoor activity would be good, but nope, it was still beautiful this morning!   Thank you to everyone who came and brought a treat to share.  I'm glad you could all come and that the kiddos could play outside of nursery :)

Fall in the Park

Today was seriously, the most gorgeous day EVER!  We made plans to go to the park with Becky and the twins.  It was perfect, except the wet slides.  We don't even know how they were so wet because yesterday it was gorgeous too!  I took my camera this time and tried to get pictures of Charlotte.  You can tell by her attire it was in the 80's today :)

 Our friend, Max from nursery, his mom and brother came along too!

Look at that long Neilson body!!

We are loving this weather and it makes southeast (?) living so much bearable.  I know it's not going to last too much longer, but the last week in October...I'll take it!!

The Great Smokies...

...Are for sure, GREAT! We had such a fun time with Josh's family in Tennessee over the past few days. 

Our family time started with my in-laws driving in late Sunday night and spending a couple days in Charlotte and my BIL, Dan, flying in on Tuesday. 

Eating Chick-Fil-A.  My in-laws love this place...and so do we!

Shopping at the outlets with Gram.  Don't worry, Charlotte did NOT get her first MK bag ;)

Gramps and Charlotte on their laptops!

On Wednesday, everyone drove up to Sevierville, TN and met the rest of the siblings and their families. We ate and headed out to the Gatlinburg Aquarium. It was so much fun and the kids loved it! 

Thursday, we went on a gorgeous hike through the Smokies. Wow!! It certainly makes east cost living easier with scenery like this!! 

After our hike, we ate at The Old Mill. I highly recommend it! The corn fritters were amazing!! 

That night, Gram and Gramps surprised the kiddies with Halloween treats. 

Most trips we go on, I am packing a week in advance so I don't forget anything. This trip, I packed the morning of. Bad idea! I forgot everything...mostly for Charlotte! I made a Wal Mart run to get her some pajamas and couldn't resist getting Lambie slippers!! 

Friday was spent at Dollywood! I heard about this place in my mission and always wanted to go. Seven years later, I made it. I felt like I was cheating on Disney because I really did like it so much!! It was decorated for the fall and the foilage was beautiful. I've never been to an amusement park like this. It was like a little village nestled in a theme park! I hope to return more, only being a few hours away! 

Charlotte did not like this ride.  It shot up and free-galled down.  Josh couldn't even watch.

Saturday we ended up taking family photos and I was excited to finally meet Eve's sister and her family! 

This is the cabin we stayed in.

Eve and Aunt Deb playing jacks!

One-handed.  Such a big girl!

Cousins with Camden, Aunt Deb's grandson!

Before everyone took off on Sunday, we celebrated Bennett's SEVENTH birthday! He got some really fun gifts and we had brownies and ice cream the night before. He is such a great big brother and older cousin to Charlotte. He is so helpful to everyone! Charlotte LOVES Bennett! Thanks Bennett for being such a great example to Charlotte :) 

 Tess and Charlotte playing around while I packed up our room.

It was a great week and we look forward to seeing everyone in a few weeks!!