Reformation Day, Part 1

Tonight for Reformation Day (Halloween), we went to the Dahlonega square and then near our home to the neighborhood of our friends, the McDonalds. Both were lots of fun. Here is the Dahlonega part of our tour de candy.

The Great Pumpkin

Tonight after soccer practice and supper, we settled into the den to watch the classic, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, which first aired on October 27, 1966. Sarah Wynn laughed hysterically at Snoopy. :0)

Into the Woods

Yesterday we had a friend over from school (Whitney) and they went exploring in the woods behind our house. I'm not sure what they were playing, but I absolutely love their imagination.

The photo below was taken on school picture day last week. 

God's Big Refrigerator

Today is a guest blogger: Kristy Caston

I preface this post by saying that the Caston family children love to drink milk. Therefore, I am always "out of milk." If I buy one gallon, they drink it in a few days. If I buy two gallons... gone in a few days. If I buy three gallons... you get the picture. 

One morning, as I was getting ready for the day, and also probably out of milk, my four year old, Sarah Wynn, entered my room and announced that she had "somefin'" (something) to tell me.

SARAH WYNN: Mommy, I know how God feeds all the little babies with special milk from mommies.  (At this point I realize that she is the only Caston child who has not witnessed me nursing an infant sibling.)

KRISTY: I know, Sarah Wynn, isn't it amazing how God has made mommies to take care of their little babies?

SARAH WYNN: Yes... and he must have A LOT of milk in his refrigerator to fill up ALL the mommies in the world every morning!

I love four year olds! :0)

Jeep Troubles and Prayer for Nigerian Husband/Father

Today on my way to Presbytery my Jeep died in the turning lane of a major road in Atlanta- Holcomb Bridge Rd. Thankfully, AAA was on the scene quickly and towed me to a shop near our house.  They got to the Jeep this afternoon and will have it ready for pick up first thing in the morning. The story behind the story is that the guy who towed me is from Nigeria. He came to the U.S. to pursue "the American dream," but had to leave his wife and two children behind in Nigeria in order to make money, become a citizen, get them Visas, and then bring them to the States. All is done, except the Nigerian government will not authorize the release his wife and children. He told me that he expected to be happy in America, but the dream has become a nightmare. If you think about it, pray for him, that God would open doors to reunite him to his family. 

Day in the Park

The other day I took Sarah Wynn to our neighborhood park while I got some work done on a picnic table. I did take time to snap a few pics of Sarah Wynn playing with some new friends.

Springer Mountain & Long Creek Falls

Yesterday I took the day off to hike the Appalachian Trail to the summit of Springer Mountain (3,782') and down to Long Creek Falls. The trail begins just northwest of Dahlonega. Temps were in the 60s on the mountain and not a cloud in the sky.  

Tonight Kristy is hosting a Southern Living party while I take the kids to soccer practice. Fun for everyone!

Here are pics of the hike.

This is the "official" plaque that was placed on the summit of Springer Mt. in 1934, designating it as the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trial. 

A hazy view from the summit. When the leaves fall in the winter, there is a 360 degree view of the surrounding mountain range.

Self-portrait on the summit.

At Long Creek Falls

Long Creek

Lunch on the Square

After we enjoyed the Monteluce Winery Fall Festival on Saturday, we stopped by the square in Dahlonega to have lunch at the Front Porch. Here are some scenes.

Eating "dogs" upstairs on the balcony at the Front Porch. A bear got spooked back in '98 (or '96...), ran into town and climbed the tree in the background.

On the square walking to the Front Porch

Day at Monteluce Winery

We spent the day today at the Monteluce Winery Fall Festival. We enjoyed live music, pumpkin painting, a hayride and more. The beautiful vineyard is just a few miles northwest of Dahlonega, and is one of five state of the art wineries (with more to come) in Lumpkin County, which has caused the Dahlonega area to become known as the Georgia Wine Country. Here are some pictures. (On our way back home, we spent some time on the historic Dahlonega town square. I'll post separate pics of that experience next.)

On the hayride through the vineyards

Kristy and SW on the hayride

Kristy, with Schaeffer in the background

With a portion of the vineyards in the background

SW had SO much fun!

The 25,000 square foot main building, which hosts the winery, 

tasting room and gourmet restaurant. The views are spectacular!

I love this shot- it was such a beautiful day

Red grapes on the vine (not expected on these young vines for 2 more years!)

Fifteen of the Monteluce villas. There are also estate homes on the grounds, 

with over 300 additional homesites planned.  

Welcome Over Whitney

The other day Whitney Blount came over to play. The kids all had a blast—had full run of the basement dressed in costume. Even went outside in the rain and got drenched. Sarah Wynn kept up pretty well, too.

Gillian McDonald's B'day Party

On Sunday afternoon, we enjoyed being guests at Gillian McDonald's birthday party. The McDonalds are friends of ours here in the burbs of ATL.

First Fire of the Year

On Saturday evening, Oct. 4, we built our first fire of the fall. Here are some highlights of what will become a very common experience at night in our home.

Happy Birthday Uncle Bubba!

Hello Uncle Bubba, faithful Caston Chronicles reader. Even though we couldn't be there to celebrate with you, HAPPY BIRTHDAY from the Caston crew! We're thinking about you from Georgia.

Lumpkin Co. HS Game

A couple of weeks ago we attended a Friday night football game at Lumpkin County H.S. near Dahlonega, GA. Here are some highlights.

A football game is Schaeffer's Briar Patch.

On the field... after the Indian victory.

Sarah Wynn doing cartwheels in the end-zone.

A big home crowd.

"Are you ready for some football?!"