Ahoy There Me Hearties!

The boys were invited to a Halloween party this past Saturday and had a really great time. Randy and I went costume shopping on Friday night (thanks mom and Tracy for babysitting so we could go on a date). Randy gave me a pretty strict budget but luckily the costumes I wanted were the cheapest ones anyway. The boys are obsessed with the Wiggles these days so I thought they would enjoy being "Captain Feathersword". Carson really took to his hat and wanted to wear it most of the day.

Micah wasn't as wild about his hat but once he saw Carson, it was a done deal. They were actually pretty eager to get their costumes on which was a relief.

We were all running in different directions on Saturday. Corbyn isn't in any of the pictures because she was invited to a different party and had already gone. She went as a soccer player. I think she was unsatisfied with her costume choice so we may be looking for something different for Wednesday. I'll post pictures of her after Wednesday.

The boys and I arrived at the party just in time for the "Trunk or Treat". They had a great time putting treats in their little pumpkins. Carson didn't want to carry his (there is one in every crowd). He wanted to eat his candy while we trunk-or-treated. The party is hosted every year by a friend of mine from school and she always does it big. There is a hayride, blow-up bouncy things, a bonfire, and a whole play area. We missed the hayride but the boys were fascinated by the bonfire. They wanted to "hold it". They accepted that it was too hot but then wanted to "blow it (to cool it)".

We left with a ton of candy and as soon as we got home the boys dug in. They had lots of M&Ms and snickers, lollies, and Skittles. I finally had to cut them off since it was already well past their bed time. Luckily, they were exhausted and the sugar didn't keep them awake.

Praise the Lord!

God is so good! Corbyn has decided that she wants to walk with Jesus the rest of her life and we couldn't be prouder. What a relief it is when your child makes the decision to accept the gift of eternal life in heaven. Randy and I have talked with her and shared as much as we could but it had to be God's timing and his leadership that ultimately saved our little girl. We can't say enough good things about the supportive roles and loving leadership that the Children's Ministry staff and volunteers at First Baptist, Lenoir City have done to influence Corbyn throughout her walk. She has asked many questions and decided that she believes Jesus loved her enough to die for her so she could spend eternity with him one day in Heaven.

This past Sunday, October 14th was the most important day of her life. She was baptized on a very special day for First Baptist Church. It was opening day for our new sanctuary and Corbyn got to be one of the first to be baptized there. One problem...the heater in the baptistry was broken so the water was very chilly. Pastor Chris was very comforting and helped Corbyn goof off to ease her nerves.

Corbyn was a trooper though and showed great courage. She had been very nervous but God granted her peace before she entered the pool. She was so beautiful as she walked into the water. She got to look out into the congregation to see her family and friends who love her and support her in her Christian decision.

Grandma and Grandpa Hoffmeister drove from North Carolina to share in this special occasion with Corbyn and it meant a lot to her that they loved her enough to come. Nana, Tracy, Dave, and Elijah were also present to celebrate.

Fall Break in the Great Smoky Mtns.

We just took our annual fall break trip to the Great Smoky Mtns. Mom has treated us the last couple of years to a cabin rental and 3-4 days stay in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. This year our cabins were in a great location in Gatlinburg so we were close to just about everything. Our family went, Tracy's family went, and of course Nana went.




On our first night there (Wednesday), Nana, Randy, and I took the kids swimming outside (in October!) The cabin resort had a heated outdoor pool that stays open until Thanksgiving. The twins had a blast swimming in the kiddie pool and the "big boy" pool which had a waterfall. Corbyn and Elijah always enjoy swimming so they were in heaven of course. It was so beautiful and surreal swimming surrounded by the beautiful foliage. I didn't take my camera to the pool because I knew I would be swimming so I missed photo ops. There was an adjoining playground to the pool which the children played on after drying off. Needless to say, the kids slept well that night after swimming hard and playing afterwards. I regret not taking my camera because that was the only night that it was warm enough to swim outdoors.



The next day we went shopping. Randy was kind enough to take the boys to a couple of parks so the rest of us could shop. I have to mention that while at the park, Randy was approached by another gentleman who asked him if the boys were his grandchildren (heehee). When we got back it was too cool to swim in the pool but we hit the hot tub at our cabin.
The twins were obsessed all week with playing in Nana's car ("Nanny's core"). They would stand out on the balconies and cry to go play in Nana's car.

Of course Nana caved and the boys played in her car.

While the boys played in Nanny's car and watched the Wiggles, Elijah and Corbyn played air hockey, playstation, and video games. The cabin came with a video golf game and Ms. Pacman & Galaga. Uncle Dave spent some quality time at the video games too while Randy sifted through Elijah's newly purchased football cards (I'm not sure if they all made it back to Elijah's stack or not). Tracy and Dave provided cookout supper on Thursday that was delicious. Thanks Randy for doing the grilling. While the other kids played video games and air hockey, the twins longed for their favorite game - basketball. Fortunately, we found a Nerf basketball (over-the-door) game at KB toys and installed it in the upstairs game room. Carson was elated!

See the slide show for cabin fun...

Thursday night after the cookout, we ventured into Gatlinburg with the sole intent of getting doughnuts at the Donut Friar in the Village. We were so excited to get those mouth-watering donuts. After we drove forever looking for (free) parking spaces, we finally met up at the Village. The Donut Friar was out of our donuts (aargghh!) so we went to the Candy Kitchen instead. Corbyn got white chocolate candy and the boys got lolly pops. They were eager to share their lollies with Aunt Tracy.

The kids ran around the Village and touched all the pumpkins. It was a great evening out in Gatlinburg! More Village photos in the slide show below...

Friday began with a trip to Dollywood for Nana, Tracy, Carson, Micah, and me. It was the first trip to Dollywood for the boys. Randy and David took Elijah and Corbyn to play miniature golf. The boys liked the show at Dollywood but thought Nana was a little odd as she clapped along to the music.

They wanted to see the choo-choo train but not so much ride it. They didn't want to ride the carousel or any other kiddie rides either. They did get to pet a horse though as it made sorghum and they played the "duck game" and won stuffed frogs. We tried to get into another show but the theatre filled before we could get in. It was a pretty uneventful trip but we laughed the entire time at all the "loo-loos" we encountered at Dollywood.

Nana treated us to a picnic in the park Friday evening. We picked up Kentucky Fried Chicken and headed to a park in Gatlinburg. The children played in the creek and the twins went nuts (pardon the pun) over playing basketball with walnuts (we forgot to bring the basketballs). Believe me...Carson will find something to throw into a goal. No one fell into the creek.

The Reeders, Nana, and Corbyn headed to Cades Cove for a drive around the loop while Randy and I took the boys back to the cabin for some hot tub time. They loved playing with Daddy in the tub. The loop at the Cove was closed so the others ended up back at the cabin with us. Micah and Carson took a tubby and then went to bed. I played the "flash game" with them as I tried to catch them playing in the dark. I pointed the camera towards their bed not knowing what I would end up with on the shot. Check out some of the photos in the final slide show.

Twins 1st Visit to Chuckie Cheese

Nana helped me take Corbyn, Elijah, and the boys to Chuckie Cheese last Tuesday to kick off fall break. We were heading for a vacation in the Smoky Mtns. on Wednesday so the children were wired. We finally had a rainy day in East TN so where better to spend the day with kids than Chuckie Cheese?

Corbyn and Elijah were pros at the Chuckie thing but the boys had never been (when they were old enough to walk anyway). They were so excited they didn't know where to begin. Micah tried out a ride with Barney first. Carson not so much a Barney fan...

What Carson does love though is a good game of basketball. He and Micah spent forever at the basketball game.

Everybody had a great time at Chuckie's. The boys played the duck game, drove cars, whac'd some moles, and shot hoops. Corbyn and Elijah played a little of everything. They made sure they played their usual air hockey game. See the other pics in the slide show.

Grandpa's 80th Birthday

Last Saturday my mom's side of the family (the Winters) got together at First Baptist Church, Kingston to celebrate my Grandpa's 80th Birthday. It was great to see all of my cousins and their families. My Aunt Dinah's 3 boys were there as well as Marci's daughter Stephanie and son, Tristan. I couldn't help but feel the gravity of the absence of other cousins who normally would have been there. My cousin Carl passed away last month and was sorely missed by everyone. His warm smile always lit the room. Also missing were Adam and Jared. Adam and his wife Rebecca and son Keenan are overseas doing God's work and spreading the gospel. We can't wait to see them at Christmas. Jared and Dorothy had to work as well but we look forward to seeing them during the holidays. And lastly, Daddy wasn't there in body but we felt him in spirit. Sorry to be a downer but I couldn't share the fun we had without taking a moment to reflect on those we missed.

Grandpa & the Great-grandchildren

Grandpa seemed to enjoy seeing his children, grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren (he has 8 counting Keenan). We will be adding a couple more to the flock soon. My sister, Tracy (and David & Elijah) is expecting in the spring and we learned some amazing news from Stephanie and Nathan. Stephanie is also expecting a baby that we have prayed fervently for a long time. I want to take this opportunity to share God's abundant grace as he provides this awesome gift to Stephanie, Nathan, Marci, Tristan, and George. They had to say goodbye to Carl last month and though he can never be replaced, God sent an angel to lighten the grief and remind us all that his plan is perfect and full of love. Isn't God wonderful?

Congratulations, Stephanie & Nathan!

The cousins enjoyed visiting together and relishing the moments of playtime among our children. It was a wonderful gift to see the many generations together sharing in fellowship and love for one another. Our family has been blessed to remain close enough to share in each other's lives through the years and we look forward to welcoming more children into the family and witnessing the generations to come. Check out some of the pics taken at the party.

Grandpa with his children

Marci, Dinah, Doug, and Carol Ann

Grandpa with grandchildren

Tristan, Greg, Brad, Russ

Stephanie, Grandpa, Tracy, and Lisa

See more birthday fun pics in the slide show...