A Caston Christmas '07

Today we got up and enjoyed gifts, Luke 2, orange breakfast rolls and time with friends (some who came from our old stompin' ground of Tupelo, MS). It was so good to reconnect with them! Our kids were heard to say on several occasions, "This is the best Christmas ever!" Their enthusiasm was such a gift to their parents on our first Christmas in years away from "home" in Mississippi.

By the way, you've got to check out the light show video below. A genuine Griswold experience! You can watch live from 5:30-10:30 EST, and even manipulate the lights online. The website is www.holidayautomation.com. Enjoy!

Another Christmas morning memory.

A feast at Ana and Jeff's home.

Opening unexpected gifts. Notice what is left of Lake Lanier in the background (about 20 feet below normal)– some now call it Pond Lanier :0)

I jokingly said, "Make a pyramid," and they did!

This light show is amazing! You turn your car radio to 89.7 and listen. The lights are automated to the music. Unreal! Tune in yourself at www.holidayautomation.com

Classical Conversations Christmas Party

Classical Conversations is our home-school group that meets at Perimeter for classes on Mondays and does work at home the rest of the week. Here are some pictures of the CC Christmas Party.

Ann Ferris hanging out with her class.

The lunch line. That's Schaeffer on the right.

Kristy speaking to the crowd about Messianic prophecy and fulfillment.

Rock, paper, scissors...
one of the many fun games the kids played.

Making Christmas Cookies with N.C. Friends

Today we met friends from North Carolina in NW Atlanta (at their grandparent's home in Vinings) to make and decorate Christmas cookies. So much fun!

Rollin out the dough.

And tah dah... mmm, mmm good!

Video of Buck in Backyard

Recently I took a video of one of the deer that eats acorns in our backyard. It's actually Corps of Engineers land, so he's safe! :0)

A Mississippi Family Christmas

From Dec. 14-16 we made a tour de force run from Georgia to Mississippi to attend the annual Luby family Christmas party (Kristy's side of the clan). While there we got to see some friends (but not nearly as many as we wanted to see!). By the way, don't miss the pics below of the Caston's shooting a .22 pistol (it's just not Mississippi without trucks and firearms).

Uncle Bubba getting ready to hand out the kids gifts.

Kristy and Sawyer Egger.
If it is a baby, Kristy is gonna get her hands on him. :0)

Happy Birthday Claire, Jack and Sam.

Enjoying the Coleman's in-home theater-
and yes, those are authentic, leather electric recliners with cup holders built in!

Country girl!

I used to love Miami Vice back in the late 80s.

Nice form, Schaeffer!

First Fire of the Season & Charlie Brown Christmas

We recently celebrated the cooler weather with our first fire of the season. We decided to go all out and do a pallet party on the den floor as we watched A Charlie Brown Christmas- classic!

UP NEXT: Pics from our tour de force visit to Mississippi from Dec. 14-16. There are so many folks whom we wanted to see, but so little time.

Cutting Our Christmas Tree... Sippin' Cider... Roasting Marshmellows

On Friday, December 7, we went out to the Kinsey Family farm in north Forsyth County (the Appalachian foothills) to pick and cut our Christmas tree. In addition to sawing the tree, we enjoyed hot cider and roasted marshmellows. You can't do that at Home Depot or Wal Mart!

Ann Ferris with cider and Schaeffer with saw.

Timber!

A true marshmellow lover!

Ann Ferris demonstrating her bambo stick technique.

Making a memory...

Mmm... mmm.

Thanksgiving '07

As is our tradition, we spend Thanksgiving day in Flora, MS, where Kristy's family gathers. On Friday we had a special treat in that we got to see some special friends. Oh, how we love that word-FRIENDS-and all that it represents!

Schaeffer and his cousin, Dayne, playing football
at Uncle Bubba and Aunt Caroyn's in Flora, MS.

Some of the great-grandchildren with Mamaw and Papaw.

Fun at the Coleman's home in Money, MS.

At the lake with the Robetson's near Coila, MS.

"My Family" by Sarah Wynn

Tonight Sarah Wynn drew a masterpiece of her family. From left to right: Brother, Sissy, Sarah Wynn, Mommy and "my puppy dog, Gracie." The big circle in the middle with the eyebrows is Daddy.

Sunday Afternoon Playtime

Sarah Wynn enjoys coloring (and lots of other stuff!) on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Backyard Foliage

Although the foliage is "past peak" at our house, the colors are still quite brilliant. I've tried to capture a bit of it here.

Sarah Wynn making a face at Daddy,
who is taking her picture from the kitchen window.

The photos doesn't do the array of color justice.
Our dog, Gracie, is the black spot in the lower left corner.

Schaeffer Loses Yet Another Tooth

Schaeffer lost yet another tooth last week. Thankfully a replacement is on its way! :0)

Drive Through N. Georgia Mountains

This past Sunday afternoon, we took a casual drive through the mountains of north Georgia (with peaks over 4,500 ft.). The foliage (yellow poplars, southern red oaks, red maples and sourwoods) was spectacular, even if about one week past peak (most trees still had leaves with man fire red and bright orange). Along the way, we enjoyed seeing the towns of Blairsville, young Harris, Hiawassee and Helen (a small Bavarian style village). The last pic is of me (McKay) at a trail head on the AT (Appalachian Trial).

Since our photos did not turn out so great, I've posted a couple from our route from an outside source to give you an idea of what we saw. The website is http://northgeorgiaphotos.com/north_georgia_mountain_photos_and_pictures.htm

Soup and Smores Night at the Hightowers

On Saturday night we were treated to an evening of soup, smores, hot chocolate and lots of other fun stuff at the Hightower's home, along with the Trumps. You will notice that our kids had a great time with the others (all of whom are in our homeschool co-op which meets on Mondays and is called Classical Conversations- it is like a one day a week school that provides material for us to work on at home the rest of the week). Anyway, enough of that, on the memories...

BUT FIRST, A SUNDAY TEASER:The next two posts will be the recent homeshool science fair and, the main event, our road trip through the north Georgia mountains (Blairsville, Young Harris, Hiawassii [just a few miles from the North Carolina border], Helen [a mock Bavarian village!], etc.). We're talking world class foliage- Maine style- and BIG mountains! :0)

Caston Classic Friday Flashback

Back in 2002, Ann Ferris catches her first fish (West Point, MS) and Schaeffer celebrates his 4th birthday.

Daddy Lunch

Recently, Sarah Wynn and and I (McKay) were out for some Daddy time. On our way back home, she talked me into dropping by Chick-Fil-A for some gourmet nuggets and waffle fries (with chocolate milk no less!). How could I turn down that Q-T-Pie? :0)