Cypress Grove Park

We had some beautiful weather and went through Cypress Grove Park. We saw Aerie Trail Raptor Center and Killdeer Pond.

Looking at an eagle

Mary showing Rachel the owl

In front of the pond

Mary took our picture

Murray said we should kneel down

ta da, right at Mary level

On the trail to the pond

Non Toxic

Crayola makes pip squeak markers that are small and I thought they were a great size for Mary. I usually am with her while she uses them but I took a chance and left her alone with them. I came back to find marker on our baby gate, dish towel, kitchen floor, table and all over Mary. I may have been gone 4 minutes.

Yes, it was even in her mouth, YUCK!

Casey Jones Village

Murray had the week off for Thanksgiving and having him home made the week so enjoyable! We drove to Jackson Tennessee and visited Casey Jones Village. Casey Jones was a famous railroad engineer from Jackson. Santa was there in the 1890's ice cream parlor and we took the girls to see him. Mary would only get close enough to take the candy canes he was handing out. We decided to forgo individual pictures of the children with Santa and took a family picture instead. We had lunch there and enjoyed lots of southern fried food! Mary actually ate catfish that looked just like chicken strips.

I couldn't resist and got one picture of Rachel with Santa.

Train Museum

We visited the train museum and the girls really liked watching the model trains and pushing the buttons to make them go. They played at the train tables for awhile too.

Darius Rucker Concert

I got Murray tickets to a Darius Rucker Concert for his birthday. He is best known as the lead singer for Hootie and the Blowfish (Darius that is, not Murray). He made a solo album with a few songs we really like, "It Won't Be Like This For Long" and "Alright". It was held at Sam's Town Hotel and Casino. We saw a lot of cowboy hats and boots. It was a great night and seriously fun! We also stopped by sonic and had a coconut cream pie shake. We learned those are not for sharing. Each adult needs their own. There was a race to the bottom and a few brain freezes along the way. I enjoyed every second with you Murr! It reminded me of our dating days before your mission but even better!

Video of Rachel Walking

Rachel has been walking for a few weeks now and is getting around really well. Here's a short video showing off her skills. She is really cute and fun; we love having her around.

Skills

Rachel likes her baby work these days. She is good at filling up containers with objects. Here she is filling a cup with blocks. I better not fail to mention that she can navigate around the house very well WALKING! It is still surprising to see her toddle by.

Here Mary is using these giant tweezers to pick up puzzle pieces while sitting on one hand. I honestly don't know if I could do this.

Zoo Day

Murray had the day off so we spent our morning at the zoo. It was a very beautiful fall day and not busy at all. We got the best view of all the animals. Our favorite animals were the grizzly bears playing in the water and a polar bear swimming. We ended the morning with a picnic lunch by the playground.

Date Night

Thursday night Murray and I went out to a nice dinner provided by a company offering job opportunities to SCO students. I was really looking forward to this date with Murray! There was even reason to wear nice clothes, my sling back heels and pearls. I was thrilled! Of course an occasion such as this required a dozen pictures or so. It may as well have been the prom all over again. What can I say? I am a girl!

My friend Luna!

We even got to share a table with Chris and Luna.