Thanks for the Information

 Found this little note taped to my toilet this morning. I guess I'm glad she decided to draw a picture instead of just leaving it in the toilet for me to see.

Stink

This is a simple story of a simple-minded dog that got sprayed by a skunk and stunk up the house. In desperation the dog's owners  gave the stinky dog a bath in marinara sauce and petite diced tomatoes. Now the dog is orange and smells like a pizza.

Nature

So, I have had a rough couple of weeks.  Nothing tragic, just some stressful things that caused me to take pause and feel sorry for myself for a few days.  It is easy to get into a funk about life sometimes and to totally forget to count your blessings. For me, one of the best ways to get over said funk is to get outside.  Last weekend I had a chance to do just that.

 The family drove down to Staunton, Virginia to visit the Frontier Culture Museum and then we took a lovely little hike to the Natural Bridge.  The air was crisp, the leaves were still pretty, and it was nice to enjoy the simplicity of being outside with the kids.  It was just what the doctor ordered.  The day was not without the typical Butler challenges.  There was definitely a vomiting incident and the kids fought like cats and dogs, but Atley only disappeared once and that was only at Cracker Barrel, so it was all good.

The Frontier Culture Museum is a living history museum composed of small farms and re-enactors depicting different time periods in U.S., European, and African history.  

West African Farm circa 1740's

1600's Yeoman English Farmhouse

1700's German Farmhouse

 1740's Colonial America Farmstead

1850's American Farmstead

Natural Bridge, Virginia. Thomas Jefferson bought this landmark from King George for $2.40. No wonder we won the Revolutionary War. Watch out for FALLING ROCK!

Harley's face is an expression of her disappointment in the majestic waterfall we promised.

A leaf as big as your head. 

Cliff jumping.

Halloween 2016

 Annual picture by Mr. Pumpkinhead

I like the decorating part of Halloween. I love the candy part of Halloween. I even like the Jack 'O Lantern part of Halloween, but I don't really love the whole dressing up part of Halloween. My kids always pick the most bizarre costumes.  No princesses or superheroes in this house.  That being said, I don't know why I found it sort of heart breaking that Atley didn't want to dress up this year.  In fact, he wasn't even with us for the school trunk-or-treat festivities or the church festivities because he had other "commitments".  Granted, that was true but, WHAAA!  That sucks.  He tells me he is practically a man.  A very tiny unorganized man, who still needs to be reminded to shower, but a man none the less.  Anyway, here are our Halloween pictures, sans Atley in costume.

  

Is there anything cuter than a praying Sumo?  

Harley and I did get to dress like twins for orange and black day at school. I guess that was fun.  Although looking at this picture of myself makes me think perhaps my name is Mrs. Pumpkinhead.