Thanksgiving Weekend 2010

We had a thankful Thanksgiving weekend! Matt and I enjoyed a afternoon/night together at the Razorback game in Little Rock. I enjoy going to about two games each year, and then I have had all the Razorback time I need...Matt on the other hand, adores the Razorbacks and is full of excitement each time they play. I must say, this was my favorite game of all times! After the game, Matt and I went to eat in North Little Rock and enjoy dinner together.

Woo Pig

These next few pictures are taken for Matt...

We have been decorating all of our trees here in the Ritchie household, and we just finished the living room tree. We love watching Caroline take the ornaments off and redecorate our tree. She has two ornaments that she adores no matter where they are placed on the tree.
Brittany and I went shopping again this year on Black Friday, and decided that we would venture out a little early to Toys-R-Us...bad move! We were cold standing outside, our feet were tired of standing inside, and four hours later we had no energy left to go any place else. We did get our second wind and move on to Wal-Mart and Old Navy. By the time the 4 0'clock stores were opening we were so tired we went back to Brittany's to sleep until 7.

Sunday I had a visitation to attend, so Matt stayed home with Caroline. When I walked in, I expected the usual running to Mommy with a big grin, but instead I came into the living room to find this...

...tv watching. My oh my! I hope this is a one in a blue moon thing...

Sunday night we had hanging of the annual Hanging of the Greens at our church. The members of the church all gather to decorate the entire church for the Christmas Season. Caroline and two of her friends got to chat and catch up during the decorating.

Rileigh, Aubrey, and Caroline

We had so much to be thankful for the Thanksgiving Season...most importantly we got to spend time with Matt. I am learning not to take any time for granted with Matt, and love every moment of family time that has been given to us. I am thankful for those who fight for our freedom, so that we may have time to spend with our families. Sorry...just a little Army Wife coming out in me today...

Uncle Bob and Aunt Betty

The Crone Family arrived last week to celebrate the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Uncle Bob and Aunt Betty. The couple was married at Sardis United Methodist Church, so my grandmother hosted a reception and we all went to eat at Western Sizzlin. I have not been to the restaurant in ages and it had many updates since the last time we had been to eat there! The Crone family left the next morning to head to Branson for the Holidays.

A few of the Cousins

Three of the Crone Siblings

Uncle Bob and Aunt Betty

The girls came to spend the night Saturday night...

New Blog

Our church has a new blog... www.sardisunitedmethodistchurch.blogspot.com

We are updating the blog daily, so it is a wonderful place to get a daily devotional or win giveaways and prizes. On Thanksgiving Day we will be giving away a Hallmark Thanksgiving Memory Book and on December 1 we will be giving away tickets to an event at Verizon Arena.

All you have to do is comment on a post between now and Thanksgiving to win the Memory Book. I will keep you posted on the giveaway for December when it gets closer.

Little Miss

Caroline is a ball full of joy, never a dull moment, and always a good laugh at this stage. I tell Matt that I love each stage more and more. Aunt Jill got her this winter sweater dress and she put it on and kept saying oooww, oh, ooooww, oh. So I decided to take a few pictures to share with you. We have had a busy weekend with relatives in town, so I will be posting pictures from their stay later in the week. We hope you all have a great week and a Happy Thanksgiving!

Girl's Night Out

Matt had to fly last night, so we had a Girl's Night Out! Mimi brought pizza and a surprise for Caroline...her first Christmas DVD and CD. Caroline loves to dance right now, and she was excited to have a new CD for after bath time. Caroline even joined in and had some sausage pizza last night...
Now beware of this next picture...it shows Caroline at her breakdown high...when she cannot have a cell phone. Oh my! She is in love with electronics, such as a computer, camera, cell phone, etc. I know it may seem cruel, but only has a temper for a few seconds, and she needs to learn the word "no." I just had to showcase her during her breakdown.

A last time for everything...

We told Caroline this morning to take a good look, because she was not going to be able to open the cabinets for a good while. She enjoyed watching Daddy use the electric screw driver, but then it was too funny when all at once she realized the drawers would not open!

She is taking her morning nap and Matt and I are checking away at our to-do list for today.

Aubrey and Caroline

Today is such a wonderful day for playing and enjoying the outdoors. It is 80 degrees in November, so we decided to invite Aubrey over for a play date. They had fun pushing each other in the car and riding the roller coaster.

Caroline is now taking a long nap in her room, while I catch up on blogging, cleaning house, and getting ready for my date night tonight. My mystery man will be home any time now and we are headed to Bone Fish. We have been trying to go out at least one night a week together and enjoy adult time.






Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! We will be meeting with friends and enjoying the Razorback game...

Potty...

Mom and Dad both left messages on my cell Tuesday during work hours, and at lunch I checked the messages to find that Caroline was peeing in the potty! What! Last night she did it again! So....to most of you reading this does not matter, but to all those mothers out there, this is a milestone. We are not really trying and going full force at the moment. We are only working with her when she gets up in the morning and at bath time. I must say that taking a diaper on and off is NOT Caroline's favorite thing to do these days!

Fearless

Fear is a large topic...you can fear anything from a spider to fear of being alone. Last year I had a huge fear of living by myself. I would not sleep at night, thinking that someone would come in and harm Caroline or myself. By not sleeping at night, it took a turn on my production and emotions during the day. I thought after Matt got home that the fear at night would discontinue. Well...I was wrong. The fear at night continues, but after reading the first chapter of Fearless I realized that this book is just the book for me. I suggest this book to anyone. God mentions more verses in the Gospel about fear than any other topic. Let me know what you think!

Max Lucado writes, Some fear being sued, finishing last, going broke, the mole on the back, and the sound of the clock as it ticks us closer to the grave. Every season seems to bring fresh reasons for fear. And it feels dreadful. Fear sucks the life out of the soul, curls us into an embryonic state, and drains us dry of contentment. Wouldn't it be great to escape it? What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats? According to Jesus, this is possible. The one statement he made more than any other was this: "Don't be afraid." In this book, Max Lucado invites you to consider Jesus' invitation to courage. Fear will always knock on your door. Just don't invite it in for dinner. And for heaven's sake, don't offer it a bed for the night. The promise of Christ and the contention of these pages are simple: we can fear less tomorrow than we do today.

Ritchie's Halloween Weekend

We began our Halloween weekend at Grandma Etta and Grandpa Don's home in Ravenden. Ravenden is a place where front porches are a must! It is quite, peaceful, and minutes away from the shopping in Hardy and Cherokee Village. I think three of us gained a total of ten pounds in one weekend with all the cooking and full course meals!

Caroline on the DuMond's Front Porch

Jerri Lyn, Emmie, Bryton, and Aunt Mary came to visit and play with Caroline. It was nice to see relatives and play catch up...
Saturday afternoon we drove over to Jonesboro to meet with college friends. Caroline and Sutton had a blast sharing snacks with each other. Each time I go back to Jonesboro I realize how I miss my friends and the memories shared. I enjoy seeing how much the town and campus has changed over the past three years.
Saturday night our little girl transformed into a fairy for Halloween. We went to Hardy Methodist Church for my grandparents Trunk-or-Treat and then out to eat at a steakhouse in the Village.

Grandpa Don, Caroline, and Grandma Etta

Grandma Etta and Caroline ready to headed to Trunk Row

First Halloween Candy Ever!

Sunday morning we awoke to a delicious breakfast and then hit the road headed south. We arrived at the Trunk-or-Treat sponsored by our church at East End Intermediate. There were so many people and trunks that Caroline did not know what to do and where to go first! Our first stop was the tattoo parlor. Caroline chose a pumpkin tattoo for her hand. Daddy told her this would be her one and only tattoo:)
Papaw finally convinced Daddy and Caroline to take part in the cake walk. After a few seconds, Caroline had the line completely backed up and going soooo slow. She wanted to stop and touch each square. After the music stopped, each person had to reverse to find a square. Then a number was drawn...lucky number 14! Daddy and Caroline's number! There were so many choices, but we ended up choosing a pumpkin-coffee cake.

Us and the Austin Family

MiMi and Caroline

Wes and Caroline...just a side note...they will be dressing up together next year...stay tuned for more info on future costumes in the making

swapping out candy