How's that workin' for ya'?

The dramatic fall colors are even richer at the beginning of November.

Our makeshift art studio

First experience with watercolors

A little help from Daddy

Silly face

Trying a different approach

Trying out the orange hot chocolate from her Halloween bag. Yummy!

Ava runs through this huge leaf pile every day. On Saturday we finally took the time to take pictures.

Sitting in the leaves

Playing possum

Darling profile

How's that workin' for ya'?

When we first moved into this small space I knew that organization was key. I arranged my nice-sized pantry carefully. However, as we settled in and real life happened the system wasn't working. Each time I opened the door, whether I was cooking or putting away groceries, it was a hassle. We've lived here since July. It's November. That's four months of struggle. I wasted precious minutes each time I opened the door.

On Friday night I had ENOUGH. Josh took over bedtime routine with Ava, and I put Fiddler on the Roof on my laptop. Everything came out of the pantry and was then meticulously moved back inside. As I sang along with Tradition, If I Were a Rich Man, and Tevia's Dream (in true, "whistle while you work" fashion) my pantry was transformed.
It finally makes sense. It's efficient, my very favorite word in the whole world.

Take a gander:

So here's my challenge to you. Find your 'cluttered pantry' and fix it. Dig in your heels, duck your chin to your chest, and make it yours. You'll be amazed how much easier your life will be once you've slayed your inefficiency dragon. Put on your favorite musical and sing through the task you've been dreading. You can do it!

Comment here with your own efficient success. I'd love to hear about it.

A Very Buzzy Halloween

A package from Mimi kicked off our Halloween week.

Yay for warm gloves!

Gymnastics class (actually two classes together for the picture)
Some of us didn't get the email about wearing costumes.

Ava dressed up as the Pensive Gymnast

New hair and happy smiles

We celebrated at church on Wednesday with a chili cook off, cake contest, and moon bounces.

Like Tigger

Blurry fun

Bouncing too close

Smooching Daddy through the net

It was chilly and wet outside, so we headed to the indoor bounce.

Ready for some fun

On Friday Ava and I headed back to the elementary school where I've taught fourth grade the past three years. One of my favorite lessons to teach is Spooky Adjectives. I was thrilled to be back in the classroom to teach two lessons and read a book to the whole grade level. Ava was a great sidekick.

Thanks for a great day Tam!

We stayed with Baba and Pops for the first part of the weekend. Ava hugged her old pal Coco.

Pops and Ava

Shaking hands

Wagon rides with Baba

Happy to see her Mamaw

and her Papa

Entertaining us all with her 'monica skills

Crank the volume for this one.

Making smores

Sleepy snuggles with Papa. We're thankful he's doing so well after heart surgery!

I was lucky enough to catch the Broaddus family for lunch on Saturday. They sent a sweet gift for Ava.

Thanks for the fun magnetic doll house!

Jamming with Pops in the "dog room"
(this is what Ava calls the game room). We're not exactly sure why.

Ready to Trick-or-Treat

We assembled quite a group for our trip on Main Street.

Buzz

"I'm not going to sting you," Ava assured everyone.

Candy!

Look familiar?

Main Street Trick-or-Treat last year, thanks for the fun tradition Nate!

Fire trucks giving candy

We ran into the cutest Batman and hot mama!
Leah and I have been friends since I was 5. We have pictures of Leah, Sarah and I in the bathtub together. I'm hunting those pictures to post soon, maybe for your birthday Leah;)

The whole gang

The next best thing to flying like a bee

See her scary stinger?

We ended our weekend with a quick overnight at Mimi and Coach's house. Ava enjoyed a long walk before the car ride back to Oklahoma. Thanks to all of our family and friends for a relaxing and fun weekend.