Costume #1 - Fall Festival, and Pumpkin Carving

Ballerina fairy princess is CAUGHT!

Grandma came over to join us for the Fall Festival and to teach the ballerina fairy princess some moves. Grandma knows what she's doing. She and I took lessons.

If it smells bad, cup your hand over your mouth and gag. To clarify, it's the hay bales, not Granddad, that has an odor.

Katie finds her bliss.

Granddad thinks Katie learned "the claw" from her Daddy.

As I mentioned prior to this photo, if it is unpleasant in aroma, place hand over mouth and gag.

The Great Pumpkin by Daddy, Katie, and Granddad:

Arboretum Adventure

You can't tell from these photos, but we met friends at the Arboretum today. Katie was not having a very social day. Her expression looks like she's totally stressed out! While we there, she was too busy exploring to want to smile for the camera or pose with a buddy. But she really had a terrific time and left saying, "We had a lot of fun." Two-year-olds!

The Big Orange Pumpkin Farm

On Saturday evening, I told Katie that she could wear her candy corn dress to the pumpkin patch the next day. I forgot to mention to her that she would be wearing it to church first. She was more than a little upset with me when she found out that detail. But as you can see in the picture, all was well again by the time we arrived in pumpkinland.

Look, Piglet, I can do it too!

How much does Daddy love Katie?

This picture is going on my list of all time favs. Love the belly peeking out while she swipes a pumpkin. Good thing I forced her to wear the leggings!!!

Is she making eyes at him? A few friends from church met us at the farm. This little guy was showing off his muscles. She knows this little boy well enough, but insisted on calling him "Him".

Quotes and Quips #2

Jon told Katie to put shoes on so they could kick the ball around the yard last night. She chose these:

Katie: Mom, do you like my puffy shoes?

Me: Yes.

Katie: Do you want to pet them?

Can I get a "Yea, Fall is Here" cheer?

Gobble, gobble (at least the male turkeys do seasonally when sleepy)

I made Katie some play food for Thanksgiving. She loves her roast turkey. She gives it hugs and kisses. I hope she isn't too traumatized when she finds out where turkey dinners come from.

Yes, the drumsticks detach.


Punkin' Pie


Thanksgiving morning we ran the Turkey Trot. Here's K and Daddy bundled up to race.


Mawhner/Grandma's favorite trotters.


Our racing team ready to run! Jon is not happy I used my whole neck to smile in this picture.


Can you tell what I am most thankful for? No, it's not the stroller! Guess again.


We had an early dinner at Grandma/Mawhner and Granddad's. Look Jon's "don't show the teeth smile" is possibly a family trait.


Here's Memaw T cookin' it up. You know it was good!


The feast!

Mr. Owly

Would I buy this if I saw it at a garage sale for 50 cents? Probably not.



If I spent a couple of months cutting, appliqueing, sewing, and stuffing this little owl pillow, I would keep it forever displaying it with love and pride.

I used a pattern for the cutest part, the owl. You can get it here if you want to make yourself one of these. Or you can ask me to make you one, but it'll take about 4 months!

Halloween - The Real Deal and Aftermath

Here are a few pics Granddad and Grandma, or Mahner as Katie refers to her, took on Halloween.







While K was celebrating at home with the grandparents and cousins, Jon and I were in NYC carbo loading on spaghetti! I saw Elmo - and a few less appropriate costumes - on Times Square.



The next day we ran 26.2 miles.





Then had pizza and dessert.




This video is of Jon after the marathon. Watch the little old lady pass him! A man offered us $20 to pay for a bike cab across the park. Jon looked so pitiful the man didn't think he could make it. Jon gutted it out to the next park bench for a little rest. Then he was fine.

Thanks for helping Jon raise support for Team for Kids and his first marathon!

Back at home, right when we really needed to catch up on laundry, errands, and housekeeping, K and Mommy were hit with nasty colds. This book makes K-T feel better.

I have read it 15 times in 3 days. So if you ever need help with your horse...

Top 10 Reasons Daddy is the Bomb!

1. Have you heard the silly noises he makes to entertain K?
2. Seen his calf muscles? - WooHoo!
3. He does dishes.
4. He loves his family.
5. He works hard.
6. Daddy and daughter bike rides.
7. Who else would eat broccoli cornmeal upside down cake for dinner, say "it's not bad," and eat it again leftover?!
8. Stays fit and healthy.
9. For a squeamish guy, he changes a lot of bad diapers.
10. He's Ton of Fun!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!
Katie and Mommy love you!

Best birthday tradition ever - Cake for breakfast! I got the idea from my former coworker, Linda R. Thanks, L. 33 chocolate chips for the birthday boy! Jon chose red velvet with cream cheese frosting.



Katie placed her 1/4 of a cupcake on top of her yogurt cup and ate it like an ice cream cone. What a clever lass!

K's First Marathon - A Halloween Preview

It's just a costume. She didn't really run a marathon, yet I swelled with pride when I pinned her bib number on! K wore her costume to music class today. There was a puppy, fairy, pirate, and this Gabba Gabba guy. I'll post official real deal Halloween pictures after the weekend. Promise.

Family Reunion - Western Style!

Here are a few pictures from our family reunion with Jon's branch of the family. It was also Founder's Day - a celebration of the town's heritage that Jon's Uncle Charlie helped to plan. The weekend was kicked off with a cattle drive. How many head of cattle does it take to be consider a drive?



Cousins, Uncles, Aunts, Oh My!
Jay, Uncle D., Aunt A., Cindy, and Aunt Nino.



These two were born for the stage. We had a coffee and donut breakfast at a little theater. Someone mentioned it was the venue for Jenna Bush's wedding rehearsal dinner. How cool is that? I sewed the skirt Katie is wearing. That explains the many seams and asymmetry.



Aunt Nino and S. getting ready for the parade.



Katie riding in style.



K LOVES horses!



Sweet! We had a bench in our hotel room just for the stuffies to sit!



Linda played the guitar for the girls. Katie and L. are letting their lights shine.



Blowing bubbles with Aunt Bev and Granddad.