Happy Fall Ya'll!

Bes has really been enjoying this wonderful weather...

She loves searching our yard for acorns...

and wearing all her adorable new fall outfits =)...


swinging in the "big girl" swing...


... and she FINALLY mastered her (very fast) slide!
She is oh so proud of herself!


She is growing like a weed and saying new words every day. What a precious blessing she is to us and we just love her more and more with each passing moment. Life is so good. God is so good.

Meet Charlotte.

Charlotte was at the door to greet us when we got home the other night and after I had a mild heart attack (it was much bigger in person, I promise). I was able to gaze (from afar... very afar) at God's magnificent handiwork. Her web was huge and so intricate and perfect. Brad and I watched her for a long while spinning her web and catching a few late night snacks. I was in complete awe... You go God! =)

Note: We left her there for almost 2 days then Brad moved her and the very next morning she was there again! Then Brad moved her to the window and she only stayed there a day and now she's gone... and speaking of critters... Fiona and Fugly (the tadpoles) are dead. Those suckers were supposed to be frogs in 6 weeks... that would've been back in Jan or Feb. We must've gotten duds.

Keebies and Dawdlas

Allow me to introduce you to keebie (blanket) and dawdla (paci).

I have no idea where she came up with such names but...

boy, does she love them!

Praying for Pop Daddy

Today my daddy had to have a liver biopsy due to a recent diagnosis of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis. On our way to school we were praying for Pop Daddy and I look in the backseat and see this precious sight. Priceless. Oh how we love Pop Daddy.

Dove Hunt 2009

Opening day of dove season is a BIG deal around Shumpert Farms. I LOVE this day! Such a fun time with family and friends! Every year my aunt cooks a good 'ol breakfast (served before daylight, of course!) and then everyone heads out to the dove field. That night we have a big cookout at my sister's house and eat what the boys (and girls) killed!! While the big boys hunted, Leah and I let the kids do whatever they wanted... and did they get dirty!! I STILL haven't got all the dirt out from underneath Bes's toenails!! We rode four wheelers, jumped on hay bales, played in the tractors and combines, and just played, played, played the day away!

Jack showing off his daddy's kill!

Sadly, this is the only picture I have of Bes and her daddy in their camo. The shirt Bes has on was originally Bes's cousin Tanner's, who's now 12!!... it's made several appearances on opening day worn by her older cousins. Now Bes gets to pass it on down...

Watch out Bes! Cousin Brantley is after your man!

Ages 1, 2 and 3... Melanie Sasser, this is your life... and you are my hero!

Jumping hay bales!

Riding the four wheeler with daddy, Neil and Jack.

Bes's only 2 boy first cousins,

Charlie and Will Riley.

Meg, Pop Daddy, Sissy, and Blake

insert Sue Sue and Bessie Boo

No, these are not all my nieces and nephews but most of them

are and the rest might as well be. =)

Hail dear 'ol State...

Last night we went to the MSU Pep Rally in downtown Columbus! I just love this time of year! We had us a nice little evening (that is, until Bully got too close) and got to visit with friends. Let the season begin... Go Dawgs!!

Holding tight to Daddy... Bully and Bes... not the best of pals.

See?

Attempted a family picture with Bully but Bes was hanging on for dear life!

Bless her... Note to self: Hold off on the trip to Disney. =)

You know Mother Goose wasn't going to miss this!!

And this sweet face my friends is all because 2 people met at State...

fell in love... and are living happily ever after. Go State. =)