A Dickens of a Christmas

We went to a Dicken's of a Christmas in downtown Franklin over the weekend and it was so cute! They put on an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas recreated from the pages of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Everyone walks around dressed the part and it was so charming. We had fun! Sophie wasn't too scared of Santa so we were proud of her, hopefully this attitude lasts through the Christmas season.

Visit from the Rabe Gals

We were so lucky to have Ann and Nicole come visit us over the holiday. We took them to Opry, Opry Mills Mall, Opry Hotel, Downtonw Nashville to the famous bars, Downtown Franklin for some shopping, Carnton House (Historic Mansion), Hung out with the Critchlow's, played some settlers, did some more shopping, ran a 5k on Thanksgiving, went star searching, Ate a yummy Thanksgiving Dinner,did some more shopping (Nicole only managed to find 6 pairs of shoe's) and just hung out. We loved having them, mostly we loved having them play with Sophie. Thanks for coming!!

Turkey Trot 5k

Way to go Nicloe!! We ran the 5k Trukey Trot on Thanksgiving day put on by the Critchlow Family. Nicole took 1st in the the Women's division. We told her she is going to have to come back next year to defend her title.

Star Searchin'

Who's home do you think this is???.... The Caribbean Cowboy's

Kenny Chesney's

Nicole looked at his mail to make sure it was his home. It was! His home was my favorite! He has a dock with some benches to fish and a putting Green. I'm thinking of inviting myself over to Fish and Put with him. What do you think?

Martina McBride's - this house was such a beautiful traditonal southern home, I loved it!

Tim & Faith's (Sorry you can't really tell how big their home is) They didn't even have a gate, but I was too scared to get any closer.

1 day until Runway!!

I am so excited! Project Runway is almost here! This is one of my very favorite show's. It is on Bravo @ 10/9 c tomorrow night. If you haven't ever watched it tune in, I know you will love it!

Radnor Lake

On Saturday we discovered a state park just minutes from our place. We took a trail around the lake and were lucky to have deer join us for some of our walk. All Ben could talk about was how smooth the water was for boating. Shocking isn't it! Sophie loved it! She is so happy when she is outside. Remind you of anyone?

Yummy Pancakes

I just made my new favorite pancake's. The recipe is actually from Jessica Seinfeild's new cook book called Deceptively Delicious.

Pancakes (with Sweet Potato)
INGREDIENTS
1 cup water
1/2 cup sweet potato puree
1/4 tsp. cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice (optional)
1 cup pancake mix

In a large bowl, mix the water, sweet potato puree, and cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice, if using. Add the pancake mix and stir just to combine—the batter should be lumpy.

I loved the taste of the sweet potato and the cinnamon. Plus they are better for you, and I think they taste better. They are a yummy fall pancake to make.

tRiCk-oR-TrEaT!!

On Halloween we went over to Ben's aunt and uncle's home for some yummy chili and bread. Then we all went out for some good trick-or-treating fun. We had such a good time, the weather was great! I was telling Ben I don't think I have ever been able to trick-or-treat in sandals. I also really loved how the people here just sat on their porch's handing out candy. Gotta love the south!!

Pumpkin Fest

On Saturday we went to Pumpkin Fest in downtown Franklin. We had such a good time! Downtown is one of my favorite places here. It is a charming little town with so many fun things to do.

Standin' UP!!

What a Chick!!!

Natchez Trace Parkway

On Saturday we took a drive to Natchez Trace Park. This road is famous for bikers. People say.. this was one of Elvis Presley's favorite rides on his motorcycle. It is beautiful!

Finally Fall is Coming!!!

After 90 degree weather this week it is finally cooling down ( low 80's) and feeling more like fall.

I've Been Tagged!!!

What is your favorite Smell?
-I love the smell when you walk down the cleaning isle in the grocery store -I also love the smells of Christmas

What is your favorite Sight?
-Sophie smiling

What is your favorite Taste?
-Lately I've been craving the taste of a pork salad from Costa Vida

What is your favorite Sound?
-I love the sound of Ben coming through the door after a long day at school. -I love the sound of Sophie when she wakes up from a nap

What is your favorite Touch?
- Sophie's soft naked body
-Cuddling with Ben

I Tag.....Ashley, Sharstin, Megan, Jill and Lindsey

Soapy Sophie

8 Months old and lots of fun!

Showing off her 2 bottom teeth.

our little crawler

Happy Birthday Ben!!

We celebrated Ben's Birthday with his cousins in TN

it's offical! We are coming home for Christmas. Sophie and I will be coming Dec. 10-30th. Ben will be coming the 21-30th. We are so excited to see everyone!

Nashville Temple

Last night we went to the Nashville Temple. It was beautiful! We are lucky because the Temple is actually on the grounds of our church we meet at every week. So we get to see it every Sunday. Plus it is super close, we actually are closer now than we were in Ogden. Crazy hu!

Sophie 7 months old. Sporting her cowboy boots to church. She's gone country!

Some reasons we love Nashville
-Mac & Cheese is actually considered a vegetable here.
-The fire flies help us see at night.
-They just passed a law making it legal to eat road kill.(Finally!)
-Ben is highly accepted when he sports his cowboy boots (interestingly enough he is ridiculed when he wears his skater shoe's, apparently nobody wears them here and they think he is wearing big slippers.) Go figure!!
-Sophie gets plenty of attention from all the friendly strangers.
-You can pretty much order any kind of food deep fried. YUMMMM!!
-We have some odd bugs in the trees outside our place that make the sound similar to sprinklers. It's very entertaining!
-Chick-fil-a's are everywhere! They produce a good kids meal.
-All the tree's make it difficult to see the mountains in UT. (It is honestly one of the prettiest places we have ever seen.)
-You can purchase anything in the color orange. Go Volunteers!!!
-Everyone here is "in" the music business.
-They have church's the size of mall's.
-You can say anything you want about someone as long as you end it in "Bless their heart."
-It is truly such a beautiful, fun, good place to raise a family. We hope ya'll come visit us!

Our Trip to Jackson Hole (-Ben)

The Critchlow Family

Ben's aunt and uncle Dave & Sarah have been so nice to show us around TN. We are so happy to live by them!

Lucky Neighbors

Just visting our Neighbors.... Alan Jackson's home. We just live a couple minutes away. We couldn't get his whole house in the pic. Can you believe it???

Pucker Up!

Sophie is already trying to kiss us back. Look out boys!

We've MOVED!!!!!

We are now here in Nashville, TN. It is beautiful!! Ben is super busy with school, but he is enjoying it. We are just trying to get settled and find our way around. Everyone here is extremely friendly. We can only hope Sophie picks up the southern accent.

Schwimmin'

Sophie and Grandma Crowell Swimming at the Beag's pool.

5 Months old

Eat Sophie Eat!!!

Sophie is currently holding her own bottle. We couldn't be prouder!

5 Generations!!

Grandma Critchlow, Great Grandma Clifton, Ben & Sophie and Ben's mom Ann.

Who is this mystery baby??

We took Sophie Swimming for the first time and we took all the precautions as you can see. She loved it. She just kicked back and relaxed.

Sophie loves it when we wash her hair

Baby Rabe

Lately at the Rabe home Sophie has been our pure entertainment and joy. She is almost 4 months old and keeps us laughing and smiling all day long. She currently is finding her voice and making all kinds of silly noises. She also perferrs to stand as long as you will hold onto her little fingers. She does however love attention (first grandchild on both sides) can you blame her?? And loves it when you tell her that she is pretty. She also enjoys looking at herself in the mirror. What a babe!! She is all girl. We truly adore her and have no idea what we would do without her.

Sophie loves any holiday that she gets
to wear a dress.