Happy Halloween

Tonight is going to be great. We are heading out tricker-treating in our neighborhood. Pictures will follow tomorrow.

Also I just had to share...I got gas for my car yesterday for $2..03!!! I never thought I would see prices that cheap (if you can call $2.03 cheap) in my life time. The last time I filled up my car I paid double for that. I loved it!

Windy Hills

Today Arden and I met our women's bible study group at Windy Hill Orchards for a fun fall activity for our kids.

As soon as we got there Arden jumped up out of the car and headed straight towards the pumpkins and picked out one that she wanted. We hadn't even registered for our tour and she was already getting into it.

The tour started with instructions for the hour and then a walk through an apple tree/sunflower maze. Arden enjoyed running around the path.

After the maze we saw a demonstration of how apple cider is made and was told the story of Johnny Appleseed. The story was a little long for Arden so she decided to crawl on the narrow benches in the back. The little gymnast in her wanted to test her balance skills.

After the story we went on a hayride around the orchard. It was a pretty short ride but we stopped halfway through for the guide to show the kids the pigs and throw them some food.

After the hayride we made a life size scarecrow. For kids under the age of 5 they lost interest really quickly. So the moms ended up finishing it up. We were supposed to take it home with us but he looked so comfortable up against that bale of hay...we just couldn't take him home with us.

After building our scarecrow the kids could chose to go to the pumpkin patch and pick out a pumpkin or to go and pick out apples. Arden wanted a pumpkin. She walked into the patch and eyed the one she wanted, walked over, grabbed it and put it in her bag.

To finish the day we had homemade apple cider and dried apples. It was a great day. On our way home I asked Arden what the best part of the day was and she said the pigs.

She loved the little bag they gave them to carry their pumpkins home. The bag is just big enough for her small pumpkin and she thinks it's a purse. So she will not take it out of the bag and carries her pumpkin all through the house.

The Cookie Monster

It's no secret that Arden loves cookies. So yesterday we made some Halloween cut out cookies. At first the flour on the counter was just a mess according to Arden but once she got the hang of it she loved it. She jumped right in and started cutting out the various shapes. She liked the pumpkins the best.

After her nap we decorated them with icing and she kept eating the heads off of the ghosts when I wasn't looking or rather when she thought I wasn't looking. She did manage to take a fully decorated cookie downstairs to her daddy (who was working from home) without taking a bite. However, she did expect him to share with her once he took a bite.

Oh What They Observe

Back when my morning sickness was really bad...no make that absolutely terrible I was having a moment in the bathroom when Arden came up to check on me. Dave was at work and it was only the two of us. She really is sweet and has a tender heart.

Later that morning we were brushing our teeth and Arden picked up the closed toilet lid and spit her toothpaste in there. Oh if it were only that easy. Arden doing that gave me a great laugh that day even though I didn't feel good.

A Day of Play Dough

Since the weather is turning cooler I got out the play dough and let Arden go to town. At first she did not know what to think about this squishy stuff but before long she really got into it. She even asked me to get the camera to take some pictures.

A New Look

This week my blog and I will celebrate our one year anniversary. I must say that I have enjoyed blogging this year and look forward to another year of blogging and events. It has been not only a great way to keep in touch with our family but our friends both near and far.

I realized that I had not updated the look of my blog and it was time for a face lift. I hope you enjoy the new look and another year together.

Question of the Week

What will you be for Halloween?

An Addition

Dave and I were ecstatic on Thursday to found out that we are adding a son to our family sometime around March 15. Arden has been telling us all along that that we are having a baby boy and she was right. It should be interesting to see how she responds once we get him home. Currently, she is looking forward to having a baby around...I just hope that she likes him around all the time.

Fourth File, Fourth Picture

I was tagged by my friend Erin to go to your fourth photo file, grab the fourth picture and blog about it.

So here we go...

This picture was taken by Dave when we were in Alaska on our honeymoon. The cool crisp air in July provided the perfect back drop to a perfect day.

OK...I'm joking. We've never been to Alaska nor did we take this picture. Our computer crashed 2 weeks ago and I've only downloaded one file on my computer and this was the fourth picture in the second file on our computer which are the preloaded pictures on the computer. I just couldn't resist.

I am really bummed though because I was so looking forward to going down memory lane. So I will adjust and give you the first picture from my first file.

Here's Arden eating a blue Popsicle at Dave's parents house back in Aug with her cousins. It was hot day and the entire family was gathered and having a great time just being together. Arden thoroughly enjoyed the Popsicle and I'm not sure what dyes where in it but it left her mouth blue until the next day. And yes, we did brush her teeth.

Now it's my turn to tag 4 people. OK Candice, Colleen, Laura and Cari I want to see your fourth file, fourth pictures. Can't wait to see what turns up on your site.

A Beautiful Bouquet

Dave and I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my friend Jen and her family. They were so beautiful that Arden wanted to smell them all day long. Here are the pictures of her enjoying them.

Early Voting

Dave, Arden and I voted early this week. We were lucky that we were able to walk in and vote without waiting. The poll workers told us that the line was wrapped around the building until just a few minutes before we arrived. If it is this crazy before election day can you imagine how long the lines will be on Nov. 4. If you can vote early to save yourself some time it will be worth it.

Riding Her Tricycle

Arden is learning to ride her tricycle. She does pretty good so we decided to take her to the park and let her ride around in the open. The interesting thing is once we got there Arden really didn't want to ride too far away from us. She's getting the hang of it.

Fall Fun

On Saturday Dave, Arden and I headed to a Fall Festival at a local church that I noticed a sign posted earlier in the week. We are all so glad that we went. They had everything and we had a great time.

They had jumping areas, face painting, balloon making, traditional fall games, hay rides, pony rides and a petting zoo. Arden loved every minute of it...well except when she was on the horse and when the animals in the petting zoo came a little too close.

Actually Arden loved the animals even though she did not want to touch them at all. Two days later she can still tell you every animal that she saw that day: a sheep, goats, ducks, chickens, donkey, llama and bunnies. However, she did not want to touch them and if they got too close for comfort she would say and sign "all done" but when Dave would move towards the gate she would beg "one more animal" so she wanted to stay close but not touch. The same was with the pony rides. She patiently waited in line but as soon as she got on the horse she wanted down.

However, it was all that she talked about yesterday and today she asked instead of the park if we could go to the church with the animals.

Here are a few pictures of the afternoon before the batteries on my camera died.

Arden getting some practice in the small jumper before she heads into the large one.

Arden telling the goat he is close enough.
Telling Daddy she does not want to touch the sheep.

Question of the Week

Remember when you were in 5th grade and you were bored to tears in math class and time just crept by...how is it as an adult three days can go by without you even realizing it?

Towel Caddy

I have it better at home than if we were at a spa. Every time I get out of the shower Arden stops what she is doing and says "I'll get Mommy's towel." She runs in the bathroom and grabs the towel.

I have no idea where she gets this from...the only thing I can come up with is that we always hand her towels after she takes her bath and that she is returning the favor.

Back Up and Running

We finally have a computer that works and is ours. I have some pictures that I want to share but the camera is in Arden's diaper bag beside her bed. And of course, she is sleeping and I don't want to wake her.

Dave had the day off for Columbus Day. Arden and him spent the entire day together. They played in the morning. Dave discovered there are no commercials on PBS and was waiting for a commercial break to get a snack. They also went for a run and then off to the park. When they got back they ate quick snack and headed out to Lowes. Arden told me she had a fun day with Daddy. She's going to miss him tomorrow when he has to go back to work.

Question of the Week

Why doesn't Arden's Radio Flyer Tricycle have brakes?

Christmas Comes Early... Unfortunately

Yesterday it happened out of the blue. I woke up ready to read the news and check my email and then I realized that my laptop had quietly died in the middle of the night. After spending all morning with tech support and it was determined that the LCD screen had died which was great news right?

I was told that I could easily replace the screen and my computer would be er...good as new. Until they gave me the cost to replace the screen! Yikes. Plus they only warrantied it for 90 days and there was no promise the mother board would not go bad the next day or that the screen transfer would be successful after those 90 days.

So last night Christmas came early for Dave and I as we purchased our new computer. 10 days is long time to wait on a new computer when I need mine to work from home and then yesterday I realized how much I use it without even thinking about it. The best part was Dave called me during his lunch and asked me to hop on line and look at this new computer but alas I could not.

So if you don't hear from me in the next couple of days I'm stuck back in the early 90s with no Internet or computer.

Arden's First Haircut

While we were in WV Arden's hair became out of control and she could not wait any longer for her first hair cut. So my mom called her stylist and was able to get Arden an appointment for that week. Arden was ready as soon as we got there even though we had to wait a few minutes before it was her turn.

Arden walked right up to the chair and settled in like she'd done it for a 100 times. The lady cutting her hair started to explain everything to her and Arden just looked up at her and pulled up her hair and told her "hair." So we were off. Arden already knew what she was there for and didn't want to waste any more time.

She did great. She sat very, very still the entire time and allowed the stylist to cut and layer her hair. However, once the stylist was done so was Arden. It was a great experience and she looks so cute with her new hair do.

The before picture....

Arden in the chair. Notice her cell phone in her hand.

The actual cut.

The final look.

The Potato Farmer Part 2

After Arden dug up her potatoes she had to wash them. She really enjoyed this part...Arden and water go very well together. She would have washed potatoes and played in the water all night if my dad would have let her.

Question of the Week

How come when the unexpected happens there are usually 12 more things that follow?

The Potato Farmer

While in West Virginia Arden learned how to dig potatoes. She loved playing in the dirt with her Paw Paw. He would dig the potatoes up to the surface and then Arden would pick them up with the little spade she was using. She also filled up a small trash can with dirt. She was loving it. Here are some pictures of their harvest.

All in A Day's Work

When my brother Eric got his golden retriever 7 years ago it was autumn when the leaves were falling. My brother would take the puppy and put him in the truck while he and my dad would clean up all of the leaves in the yard.

Since then Jackson loves on Saturdays to hang out in my dad's truck. He'll stay there all day until he is either given a treat or taken to the park for a walk.

Jackson is still getting used to sharing everything with Arden. On this particular Saturday morning he wanted in the truck like usual but this time he had to share with a very curious 2 year old. She loved playing with the controls and pretending to drive. Ever few minutes Arden and Jackson would switch places and he would "drive" while she was in the passenger seat.

Jackson enjoying 'working" alone.

Arden taking over the truck. Watch out I think she's getting ready to merge.

We're Back!

We've been back in town for about a week now and are getting re-settled after being gone for 4 weeks. It a bittersweet time in WV during that time and are thankful that we were able to be around our family during this time.

On our way home I asked Dave if he thought anything in our neighborhood changed while we were gone for a month. He responded...I doubt it. Well he was wrong and there are a few noticeable changes.

First most noticeable change to the neighborhood was the speed humps they added down one of our streets plus they took down two stop signs. It still is confusing when I'm at the one stop sign left and other cars are coming up to the intersection and not stopping.

The second is the rooster that lives down the street. Apparently, the rooster floated in during the flood that happened in our neighborhood when Hurricane Faye came through (that's how long we were gone). He lives between two houses about 1/2 block away. He cock-a-doodle-doo's all day long. His name is Little Jerry.

There is no gas in our town. If you are lucky enough to find gas the lines are so long that I really think that I will waste more gas waiting in line than if I just wait another day. Dave did go out the other morning around 6 am and found some gas. He went out today with my car at the same time and there was no gas at any of the local stations. So there is no rhyme or reason of where or when to get gas in this town.

Lastly, fall moved in. The laundry in the laundry room was all beach towels and pool items. When we left the pool was still open and the weather was hot. Now the leaves and acorns are falling and the nights and mornings are much cooler. We never got to say goodbye to summer.

We are glad to be home and can't wait to catch up with everyone.