A Story, Some Games & A Whole Bunch Of CANDY!

Our church had a Fall Party for the kids. It was an alternative for trick-or-treating. Each child was given a fake dollar when they walked in the door. This dollar was worth 5 seconds in the candy tote. After the story, told so dramatically by Mr. Eric, they had the opportunity to earn more dollars by playing games, answering Bible trivia and saying Bible verses. The most time you could earn was 25 seconds! Don't ya love the red eyes of this group of boys! :)

Mr. Eric captured the children's attention with his storytelling!

Pastor Mark helps Callie with the corn hole game. After she moved up closer to the board, she actually threw one in!
Some of the bigger kids have to stand back!

Some interesting poses! :)

Callie had 25 seconds to get all the candy she could fit in the bag. Instead of grabbing handfuls, she selected the candy piece by piece and carefully put it in the bag. She was happy with her choices!

Elizabeth helps two of her kids.

Two girls fill their bags.

One of the Pastor's sons fills his up!

Simon fills his bag with goodies. He gave Mommy one of his Reese Cups. Wasn't that sweet!

I love how the camera captured the sucker flying in mid-air! Seth had quite the bagful of candy when his time was up.

Pastor Cravens' oldest son had the biggest bag of candy tonight! I'm sure his mother will be thrilled when he and his brother show her all the candy they won! :)

I told everyone this was the most invigorating experience ever! The rush of having 5 seconds to fill my bag with as much candy as I could was incredible! LOL

Kathy fills up her bag under the watchful eye of a hopeful little boy.

Angie and Julie fill up with yummy candy!

Is that our Youth Pastor with a bagful of candy!

He traded me 3 packages of whoppers and 1 Hershey bar for one little 'ole Reese cup. I guess we all know what to get him for the next food pounding. :-)

Elizabeth gets her 5 seconds worth of candy. She's looking for all the Reese Cups.

4....3.....2......1......You're done!

The littlest candy lover grabs a sucker!

Isn't he cute!

~A Touch of Fall~

The centerpiece on the kitchen table.

This is one of my oldest and most favorite Fall decorations. I bought this stuffed turkey on clearance at Wal-mart years ago. No matter how many times my kids have dropped it, moved it, sat on it, etc..., it still looks new!
12 years ago, my parents bought us a couch and tables for a wedding gift. I chose a beautiful creamy white couch with pastel flowers on it. BIG MISTAKE!!! After having four children and numerous guests over, it was nowhere near white! This summer we finally purchased new furniture. YEAH!!! It is a wonderful shade of green. We are very happy with it.
My mother purchased these candles at Dollar General Store for pennies at the beginning of this year. I have been waiting a looooonng time to use them. Someone just asked me last night if I was going to burn them. I can't stand having candles just for decoration. I love the look and smell burning candles, no matter how pretty they are!
"Thanks, Mom, for the beautiful Fall candles!"
Two yummy smelling pumpkin spice candles on the china cabinet.
I finally found a new plate stand at Wal-mart. I had been using a green Christmas tree plate stand because I couldn't find one that I really liked for the right price. This was $6.97. Don't you just love shopping at Wal-mart!!

This is an arrangement of fall leaves, candles, and pumpkins lining the bar that is right inside our doorway. We all have a terrible habit of dropping everything and anything on this bar. I am hoping that by decorating it, we will keep it clean and clutter free!
The shelf that my children hang their backpacks on when they get home from school. (They're at school now) This is the first time I have thought to put any kind of decorations on it. Duane actually noticed this when he came home from work yesterday!
This is the first thing people will see as they come into our home. I hung this as a reminder to myself to always be thankful no matter what comes my way. No matter how good(or bad) my day might be going, I plan to just stop, take a deep breath and think of just one thing I can be thankful for.
When I saw this wall hanging at Hobby Lobby, I couldn't resist buying it. Everytime I go by it, I smile. :)
Thanks for dropping by and checking out our Fall Decor. I leave you with this wonderful poem:

The winds will blow their own freshness

into you,

and the storms their energy,

while cares will drop away from you

like the leaves of Autumn.

Fall poem by John Muir