Thanksgiving Feast and "What A Fir!!"

this year we celebrated Thanksgiving with some special people! We had the Wrays, Andersons, Grammie and Grampy Anderson, Grandmommie, Poppie, and Marmie! we missed our other Poppy who was in Africa this year but we sure are thankful for the work he is doing there. while i did not get too many pictures...here are a few! we had a great time...there was a ton of food, football, dodge ball, trampoline time...eating, eating and more eating!!

the very next day we headed to the mountains for the annual Anderson/Wright "Christmas Tree Cutting Event!" after we all picked the perfect tree at "what a fir", it was down the mountain for a fun hayride, cider and cookies. next, mellow mushroom pizza at the local park in blowing rock. another fun tradition!!

Family Night!!

this year was caroline's first time participating in family night at carmel...she did a great job!! super sweet song about her heart being a gift to jesus. we were so proud of her!!

and james...well, this was his second year on stage. while he was a good sport and clearly knew what he was doing, let's just say that being on stage is not his most favorite thing:) he did the "hosanna rock" in true james style...smooth and unphased.

living large

Fall Happenings

 so caroline has LOVED her 2 day a week preschool class this year...that is all except for music class. for some odd and unknown reason she has been prone to tearfulness at music time! my suspicion is she enjoys sitting on her teacher's lap the entire class and this has become her ticket to do that:) in any case....after several attempts on the boys part to coach her through why music was fun, the fact that she might get the "super singer" award, etc. we finally resorted to bribing her. yep. i am that mom. all it took was one lollipop and folks....may i present to you our most recent super singer!!

 if dad happens to be out of town on a wednesday night..you will most likely find us here enjoying kid's night at firehouse subs:)

this fall we took our first "school" field trip to hunter farms where we enjoyed pumpkin "picking", a hayride and the petting zoo!

 and what would fall be without one more camping trip!! this time, ben and evan took the kids to star, nc for a stay on ben's family's land.

here is a picture of the cabin ben's grandad, papa built many, many years ago...

though a bit run down, it is still in the woods where ben spent many a day shooting guns and just being a boy! kind of neat to see the kids hanging out here too. 

 the boy's bravely entered the kid's pie eating contest at our church's fall festival this year. no winners...but a valiant effort!

 on tuesday afternoons we get to have drew, kurt and annascott hang out with us! needless to say...the fun abounds!

playdoh ice-cream anyone??

Sixth Annual Anderson, Emmrich, Wright Beach Trip!!!

wow...it is hard to believe this was our sixth year of vacationing together as a family!! ben david was only 7 months old on our first trip to ocean isle beach with the whole gang. we have come along way since then..added on a total of 3 more kiddos to the group and the fun just continues:)

we were blessed with gorgeous weather the entire week...not a drop of rain, blue skies, mild temps and lots of sun. we stayed in a super place called "the great escape" that suited our group well with its oceanfront setup and pool. 

breakfast was always a wild time!!

storytime with poppie was caroline's nightly routine

lots of sand cupcakes and ice cream cones were made

of course james found a few fish

a sweet sibling moment

some great body surfing

doing some ab moves...the plank on the beach is always a great one

not to be left out...for one, single moment

sweet girls

best buds

surf board in the pool...why not? only seconded by using the picnic table and/or walkway railing as a diving board. 

prepping for family shots...what a stud!

the whole gang

our miss c

3 little monkeys

handome boys

you can dress them up...

classical engagement pose...we don't look any older, right???

all the grands with grandmommie and poppie

the couple that made it all possible!

like mother, like daughters 

where oh where is my little sand bunny?

exciting fishing boat trip this year!

flying high!!