halloween goblins...

Our family showed off their personalities this year... Colton was a very funny and quite confident Tooth Fairy. Reece, I have lovingly nicknamed "Juan Pablo Reece-O". Cecily was a rockin' 80's girl - she even did her own make-up, which she loved! Brock the Rock was none other than a Cowboy - his dream job.

I wore my Pep Squad uniform from when I was 14 years old - it wasn't flattering then and it's not flattering now. I'm taller with lots more curves, but I did manage to squeeze back into it. So awesome! Cayce, though, stole the show as a stellar Richard Simmons. I am SO proud of my husband (and my whole family)!!

jack-o-lanterns...

Our handi-work all lit up!

spirit day...

Look at that perfect bowling form!

"Where in the world is Cecily San Diego?" Can you find Cecily? She's in there. Hint: She's in red.

Spirit Day at Grassland Elementary includes fall parties, as well as the students cheering on their volleyball teams, which consist of parents and staff. It's a lot of yelling and screaming in one little gym - ear plugs actually would have been nice now that I think about it. What a fun day for the kids, though!

pumpkin carving...

Cecily and Brock drew the faces and then Cayce and I carved them out. Colton and Reece were preoccupied with a football -- trying to throw it over the top of the house, back and forth to each other. They were a lot of help... okay, not really. Still, it was a fun family evening!

parade of Bible characters...

1. Turn on the light

2. Can't see without it

3. It's dark but now it's light!

(1st day of Creation - the girls are darkness, light and God - Genesis 1:3)

1. Bigger doesn't always mean better.

2. Don't underestimate the power of the sling.

3. These stones aren't for skipping.

(David & Goliath)

1. I can't get enough tacks.

2. I love tree houses.

3. I have to shop in the kids department.

(Zaccheus - holding a jar of tacks (play on the word tax) - and the tree, of course)

Tonight was the 30th annual "Parade of Bible Characters" at church. For the first time ever, Colton, Reece, Cecily and Brock came up with their own characters and costumes; and Cecily and her friends even came up with their own clues - they did EVERYTHING completely and totally on their own. All the kids did such a great job and I was so proud of their enthusiasm, initiative and creativity. Such a sweet, sweet tradition our church has and so very thankful my children are able to make these memories.

a stormy day...

monday night football...

Cayce, Colton, Reece and Papa have spent the weekend in Dallas in preparation for tonight - Monday Night Football at Cowboys Stadium. According to my personal sources, "Jerry World" (as we fondly refer to the venue) is an amazing site but sadly, "the Boys" lost to the Giants. The show, though, was so huge and distracting that it didn't dampen their spirits much.

still blooming...

It is October 24th and our roses are still in full bloom... and they still brighten my every day.

go carts, putt putt and IHOP...

... it doesn't get much better than that. With Daddy and big brothers gone to Texas this weekend, I decided to surprise treat Cecily and Brock to a night of surprises. After a 45-minute drive to Murfreesboro, we started the night with dinner at IHOP - one of their most favorite places to eat. They thought this was the best surprise ever so you can only imagine their shock when they found out there was even more to come... After dinner, Nana and I took them to do go carts and putt putt - by this point, they could barely contain their excitement. TRULY - it just doesn't get much better than that!

actor's showcase...

Tonight was Cecily's "acting debut". She has added acting and musical theater classes to her schedule this year, and has absolutely LOVED them. Tonight she performed a monologue, acted out scene with 2 other girls, and also sang her song from "Mamma Mia" again. She was so excited to participate in this show and she did such a good job. I can't wait to see how God continues to develop and use these gifts and passions throughout her life...

the beauty of autumn...

How many colors can you spot in this picture? Oh, how I love this area in which we live...

these boots are made for walkin...

Brock loves his boots. He wants to be a cowboy when he grows up - always has. He loves his cowboy hat, too - but he loves his boots even more. When he was younger, he would wear them with shorts. And oh how he celebrated the days in preschool when I would give in and allow him to wear them to school (his school "preferred" that boots be left at home). If there's snow outside, on come the boots and out goes my boy.

His favorite boot-wearin' time, however, may be when he gets to work outside with Daddy - cutting down trees, gathering limbs, building bonfires, etc - he MUST have his boots on. Even when they are 2.5 sizes too small. He never complains - which is why I haven't replaced this last pair. I haven't even thought about it till he put them on today and I realized that my boy who is wearing a 1.5 size shoe is squeezing his foot into a size 12 boot. Ow!!

I'll be out shopping for new ones tomorrow but tonight I am just enjoying the sweet memories I have of my boot-lovin' boy and his cowboy adventures...

did I mention...

... that the boy is FAST?! Touchdown!

franklin in the fall...

Just one of the MANY reasons I love living in Franklin...

campfire fun...

This evening, we built a bonfire in the back and roasted hotdogs, smores and played with the fire - something both kids and adults alike enjoy. Later we played a family game of German Spotlight... I was caught EVERY time. Yes, I am no match for my kids or my husband, but we sure did have a fun night!

happy 40th, Cary!

Cary and I are just 2 months apart in age, and so tonight Jill surprised him with a birthday celebration. Cake of choice? Brownies!

farm fun...

Today was "Pumpkin Patch Day" at the Gentry's Farm. This excursion has been a part of our family's annual traditions for about 11 years now. Colton and Reece were just little tikes when we first started bringing them. Grammy was able to join us this time and it was an absolutely beautiful day. Grammy BEAT both Reece and Colton in the corn hole game. But just to make sure credit is given where due, Brock BEAT Grammy at corn hole. He is quite proud of that accomplishment, and Grammy has been good to occasionally remind Colton and Reece who beat them.

We did the corn maze, played games, picked pumpkins and just enjoyed being outside and being together. What a wonderful morning!

Caroline, Brock and Cecily have fun pretending Brock just got "busted" in the outhouse at Gentry's Farm today. No, this wasn't MY idea... and YES, they DID ask me to take the picture!

potholder memories...

For months now, Cecily has pre-occupied herself with making pot holders. She was given a loom, bands and hook in her Easter basket and hasn't stopped making them since. She gives them to everyone - even teachers and kids at school. Right now, she's working on some "orders" from school friends and I wouldn't be surprised if many of her Christmas gifts for family this year happen to come in handy in the kitchen as well. Funny thing is, I so remember making these when I was a kid also - loved it as much as Cecily is!

reminders...

Cecily knows me well. And Cecily has a wonderful sense of humor. She really wanted a piece of posterboard for a "just for fun" project she is working on here at home. To help me remember to get her one, she strategically posted signs just like this one all over the house. Bathroom mirror, lampshade, computer, front door, etc. It worked - I remembered!

happy birthday, cayce!

I love you, honey! Happy 38!!

my little puppy, brock...

Brock, Cecily and I were driving to the orthodontist this afternoon - just taking our time - no rush whatsoever because for once, I was not running late. I let the kids roll down the windows and we were slowly driving through some back roads, enjoying the beauty of the changing leaves. After a while, I glanced in my rear view mirror and caught sight of this little guy... so yes, I took this picture while driving... and NO kids, you CANNOT do this while driving one day.

guy time...

Reece is finished with football practice for the night, Colton is back from his football banquet, and they are spending some late-night, quality time with Dad... watching a comedy show on the internet. I laughed just watching them. L-O-V-E it!

8th grade boys covenant group...

They seem taller and bigger than they did last year...

goalie...

Today was Cecily's second time to play goalie and she has decided this is the position in soccer that she REALLY likes. Perhaps the fact that there's little to no running involved with this job has something to do with it? Whatever the reason, though, she's actually pretty good and I'm so happy that she's still enjoying the game!

last varsity game...

As of tonight, Colton's middle school football career is over. He played his last JV game 2 days ago, and played his last Varsity game tonight. It was a beautiful evening, our team won and Fanfest was a huge success - especially the Silent Auction - and I'm not biased at all (well, maybe just a little since I was in charge of it)!

life cycle of brock benjamin...

Tonight, I helped Brock complete his "Life Cycle" project for school. He chose the pictures and also drew some where appropriate, laid them all out, labeled everything and made the title. The cycle starts with him as a baby, toddler, pre-k, kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, high school (he's playing basketball), college (he's playing football) and finally ends with his grown up career (cowboy). Job well done, my son.

undefeated!

Colton's JV Team ended their season with yet another win, meaning they pulled off an UNDEFEATED SEASON! So proud of my boy AND his team... he looks a little happy and proud himself!

a striking sunset...

again?!

This morning before church, I made brownies for Cayce and Brock to take for tailgating dessert at the Titan's game. Cayce texted me this picture (while I was at church) of the brownies he and Brock left behind for the rest of us to enjoy.

cotillion cuties...

Reece and two of his friends, Justin & Cameron, did one of the fastest "clean up jobs" I've seen today. 30 minutes before this picture was taken, they were walking off the football field after a great win - sweaty, dirty and a bit on the stinky side. A fast run to the car, a drive down the road to the local YMCA for quick showers, and finally followed by another quick drive down the road and here they are - whew! Made it to Cotillion class with 5 minutes to spare - way to go, boys - and might I add how handsome you are!

2 fast 4 U...

Think you're gonna pull my boy's flag??

I don't think so! Touchdown for Brock Benjamin Powell!!

Brock's team won, Cecily's team won AND Reece's team won - a GREAT Saturday for the Powells! Reece's team is undefeated so far and played the other undefeated team in their division - fantastic game with a final score of just 6-0. Very exciting! Brock scored 2 touchdowns and an extra point, and Cecily played goalie for the 2nd half of her game and blocked several goal attempts. Yes, a great day in Powell sports indeed.

garage clean up...

It began at 7:30 am today and didn't end till 5:30 pm. That's how long I spent cleaning out our garage - my muscles are so sore that I can barely move now but it is so worth it. The above picture shows the things that are not making it back into our now neat and organized garage. This is a project that has needed to happen for YEARS but neither Cayce nor I ever want to REALLY tackle it. Instead, we usually just straighten things up and hope for the best. It's amazing what can happen, though, when you really put your mind to it and decide it's time to clean out, give away and throw away. I love it!