Family visit...

In early November Marie and Mom came to visit. WOOT!

We did a little sight-seeing, a little shopping, got to celebrate mom's birthday and had a lot of dance parties. It was a fabulous few days.

Autumn did not disappoint....

Cooler temps make for happier Whitesides.

Yard work. Walks. Jackets.  A sugar cane festival at a local farm. A community 'snowball' drop (hundreds of ping pong balls with local business discounts being shot out of air cannons). Leaves. Lots of our favorite fall foods.

High five, autumn. High five.

The post where Ruby learns about Halloween....

I have to admit - Halloween was more fun that I anticipated. Ruby actually wore her costume (SUCCESS!) and once she realized the was being given treats along with compliments on her cuteness (cutest candy corn of all time), she was sold on the idea! We had a great time at that ward trunk-or-treat and doing a little trick-or-treating around our neighborhood. Adding to the fun was some birthday celebrations with C with our friends Jerimiah and Beth. Aside from Ruby getting terrified by some kids in masks, it was a fantastic night. 

As you can see, the kiddos weren't too keen (read: terrified) on our idea of a festive photo shoot at first. Eventually, Ruby warmed up to the idea and ultimately decided that pumpkins are some of the coolest things around. 

Partying with the Schmutz crew....

Amy and Clark live in North Carolina and we live in South Carolina. We practically live next door (woah...how much cooler would it be if we ACTUALLY lived next door to each other? Well...I'll take what I can get.:) ) Ames, Clark and Emmett were so good to us and came down for a visit soon after we moved. It was so fun to have them stay with us and explore what little bit of the area we were familiar with. And Ruby and Emmett became fast friends which was obviously a dream come true.  Looking forward to heading up their way SOON - like tomorrow. :)