Ladies Retreat 2009

November 6-8 was our annual ladies retreat. It was in Dahlonega, Georgia. A very beautiful setting in the North Georgia mountains.

We left Friday at 10:00 am. We stopped at Georgia Premium Outlets for lunch and a little shopping. I could have lived there!

Our accomodations were less than stellar, but all that mattered was the fact that we were all together and were able to uplift one another. There were 51 ladies that attended the retreat this year. What a blessing!

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Stepping Through a Magazine

During our free time on Saturday, we visited the Southern Living Idea House. It was beautiful and already decorated for Christmas. I had seen this house in SL before, but I never thought I'd ever have the chance to go.

Here is my friend and co-worker Angela Jones. She's the med tech at my school. We have a blast together! It is such a blessing to work with a Christian sister.

My mom with a cookie-cutter tree.

Too bad the peak of Autumn had passed. Still very beautiful views.

Yep, I could live here, have my friends over, ya know!

Maybe they will let me move in after they see how at home I am here...

Downstairs

There were even carolers!

Then, we headed to Downtown Dahlonega to find some souveniers to take home for our families. Here's the square.

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Back at the retreat...

Busted! I took this picture of two people (Crystal & Johanna) trying to break into Sarah and Stacia's room!

That evening we gathered in a circle outside (and it was chilly!) to sing and light each other's candles. We chose a person to say encouraging things to and thank for being an encouragement to us.

Here are two of my new friends, Lisa and her daughter Rebecca. They attend in Byron.

My mom lit my Aunt Janice's candle. My aunt broke her arm in a recent car accident.

The candleligt was lovely shining on the faces of all the ladies.

The dining room had quite a bit of wildlife.

Breakfast on Sunday

Angela and me, ready for church

The entire group

The retreat was organized this year by Ashley Casson, Kim Bencun, and Jean Bodien. Crystal Bivins and Connie Crowe were speakers. They all did such a wonderful job!

Can't wait for next year!

Finally Posting about Halloween!

So, here we are now nearly two weeks into November and I am finally posting about the last two weeks in October!

First, I have a few pictures to share from our church fall festival and trunk or treat.

Here's my little mouse. I really got my $'s worth out of this costume!

She wore it to:

• Playhouse Disney Live
• Trunk or Treat
• Gymnastics
• Day Care
• and Halloween

Yesss!!!

Getting ready to Trunk or Treat

Shah's Trunk



Thompson's Trunk with flash

Without flash...Very spooky!

Our trunk.

I didn't even take a picture. Andrea sent this to me!

Thanks, girl!

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One week later....

We had a Halloween party at our house. It was hosted by the Shahs and the Paces.

We had some very interesting dishes to sample.

From Jan

Joyce

Sarah

Scary hands

We had interesting guests as well.

Here are the little trick or treaters. (r-l):
Abigail and her mommy, Riley, Hailey, Not Sure (JK, it's Cody!), Allyson, Ralston, Jack, Laney, and Ella

Another shot

There was a haunted house on our back porch. The kids all lined up to go out and see.

I should have taken pictures of the haunted house. It was so awesome! Mike and Nirav worked on it all afternoon. Larry helped, too. Nirav was the host as you stepped out. There was a very realistic spider, guts and eyeballs to touch, a spooky flying ghost, and a laughing/roaring Daddy ghost.

This made Allyson cry. She did not want her daddy to be a ghost!

Abigail was the cutest little pumpkin fairy! Andrea was a lovely witch with purple hair. I was a farm girl, but I didn't get in any of my pictures.

Mama Jan was a witch, too. :D

Time to Trick or Treat!

We stopped by Ms. Sylvia's house.

The kids got SO MUCH CANDY! The buckets overflowed and we had to put the rest of the candy in plastic bags.

There were fangs in some treat bags! So scary!

After the party, there was a slumber party. Laney and Ella spent the night.

Here's a lovely pose from the girls. :D

My little mouse

Allyson has been taking gymnastics since the end of August. Last week, they were supposed to wear their costumes to class.

I wasn't there because I was at a box-covering party (don't ask!). So, Mike took these pictures for me.

She really loves going to gymnastics!

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She was a bit overdue for a haircut, so I took her to my hairstylist for a trim. She's never been shampooed and I was worried about how she would do. But, she loved it!

Ms. Melissa is the best!

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I also took her to the Houston County Cheerleading Competition. All the 7th and 8th grade squads in the county compete. We were there to support WRMS. One of my best friends is the cheer coach there. And, I used to work there. It was good to see some old co-workers.

Now, when you go to the HC Cheer Comp, you have to deck out to support your school. So we were in orange and black all the way.

I would have taken more pics, but my camera battery died! Bummer!

October was soooo busy! I still have to blog about the Fall Festival and Halloween. It may take a while to catch up completely. I'll be at the Ladies Retreat this weekend! Yay!!