... Halloween.

Halloween is such a great holiday because it is really all about getting dressed up and having fun - great for all ages. We have had so much fun deciding on a costume for Rachael, carving our pumpkins, getting pictures taken, and especially eating candy.

Our neighborhood is just crazy with trick-or-treaters. People come from all over at least our half of town to go trick-or-treating; we're a real destination neighborhood. I gave out over 300 pieces of candy this year. (I buy LOTS.) It is so much fun to see all the kids!

This was the first year Rachael was really into trick-or-treating; Ryan and Rachael were out for nearly an hour and a half and she had so much fun. She made a great haul, too! Some friends of ours even drove up all the way from Berea (about 15 miles) to trick-or-treat and they brought their three kids, the youngest is six month old Eliza.

I love this picture of the two of them. Rachael couldn't be happier to hold the baby, and Eliza looks desperately like she wants to be anywhere else but on Rachael's lap.

We had a great evening, and we can't wait for our ward party tomorrow!

... spray paint.

Ryan has a Jedi costume that is fairly authentic - I know because I made it myself a couple of years ago. It has become something of an an obsession, every year now we have added a little something to it. (Last year it was a belt I bought on eBay. It's awesome.) This year we decided we needed some food capsules. (Not actual food in them!)

Like good students, we did lots of internet research. We finally settled on some pen caps and buttons to make our creation. (The pen caps I liked the best were $6 for a package of 3 pens... now I have three great pens with no lids. Oh well.) The best part, though, is spray painting the whole piece. I used metallic copper spray paint. It's my inner painter - I love to paint!

... pumpkin carving.

The annual poking, slicing, scraping, scooping, drawing, cutting, and lighting on fire tradition is over for another year. I love having fun family traditions.

All my pumpkins

Yes, we did a Cinderella pumpkin for our Cinderella

Check out the concentration on that little face!

... another Rachael moment.

Rachael has been running around here saying "Star Wars Car Wars is my favorite Star Wars." I could not figure out what 'car wars' was, but sure, if it's her favorite, why not?

Today the mystery was solved: It's the Star Wars Clone Wars animated series on the cartoon channel. She likes to watch it with her daddy.

Roger roger.

... and eveyone is OK.

Tonight on my way back from Book Club I came across an accident that had just happened. I won't go into details, but the experience made me grateful for many things:

• I was paying attention while I was driving.
  
• Cell phones to cal 911. How did we report accidents before cell phones?
• Fast emergency responders. The first police car was on the scene in less than 2 minutes, and the ambulance wasn't far behind.
• Being able to stay calm in a scary situation.
• The blanket in the back of my car. Of course I left the house without a coat (who needs a coat to go from the driveway to the house?), and it was cold last night.
• Ryan stayed up to help me wind down after I got home. Even though he is still a little jet-lagged. Thanks.
• It looks like everyone will be all right.

All in all it was a scary experience; I'm grateful too for the hundreds of days I have that are uneventful and safe.

... Famous Daves.

Today Ryan took the day off from work since he just got home Saturday. We were so glad to have him around for the day! We took a field trip to Louisville to run a couple of errands. We ended up at Famous Dave's for lunch, which I think is my favorite BBQ place ever. We even splurged on onion straws for an appetizer and bread pudding for dessert. Yum! I do like to go out for a big meal once in awhile. All in all a fun family day.

... and Stake Conference Choir.

I think I am going to join our Stake Choir this year for Stake Conference. There are several reasons: first, the director will be our choir director, and he is amazing. Second, we are singing "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing," which I love. Third, I keep meaning to go to Stake Conference anyway, and now I will not have an excuse. Fourth, Elder Richard G Scott will be our visiting General Authority and that will be exciting. Fifth, Stake Conference is in four weeks, so it's a short commitment.

Stake Conference, here I come! (OK, it's not nearly as exciting as Disney World.)

... a Rachael moment.

Rachael has weird dreams, sometimes I get to hear about them. Yesterday we watched part of the Corpse Bride (a Tim Burton film, if you haven't seen it) and I wondered if it would be scary for her. No nightmares last night, but this morning she came in and announced, "Mom! I slept with my skeleton on all night last night!"

I'm glad. Imagine what she would look like without it.

... a good babysitter.

This morning I had Stake Relief Society training, so I had to get a babysitter. Fortunately for me, one of our favorites lives right next door. Rachael likes her so much she calls her "my friend Kayla," just like her other favorites. It's so great to have a babysitter that lives so close!

... girls nite.

Tonight is our last night without daddy. Thankfully, he comes home from his latest trip to China tomorrow afternoon.

I like to spend time with Rachael while he's gone, so it feels more like fun than a pity party. Inspired by Amy's family's Friday Night Party Night, we had pizza (and pears; I know, we're weird but we like fruit), watched a movie, made cinnamon rolls, and painted Rachael's fingers and toes. We had a great time! And we are really ready for Daddy to be home.

... our Halloween tradition.

Portrait Innovations, a children's photography studio, has a deal where if you only choose one pose, you can get one 10x13, two 8x10, four 5x7, four 3x5, and 32 wallets for just $9.95. A couple of years ago I thought it would be fun to get some pictures of her in her Halloween costume, and this seemed like a great way to do it and have lots of pictures to send to family and friends. We have continued to go every year now, and will continue to do so until Rachael doesn't want to do it anymore or the deal runs out.

Here are pictures from 2007 and 2006, in case you missed them!

... frozen lasagna.

I was planning on making homemade lasagna. Then I went to the store for a couple of things and I remembered you can buy frozen lasagna. Not a homemade meal, but Rachael still loved it!

... a good night.

Most days when I put Rachael to bed, it's just part of the routine. Some days I count the minutes until bedtime. And then there are days like today, when I almost can't bear to put her to bed because we're having such a great time.

I knew she needed to go to bed, though; her eyes had that glassy look, and she had a mild runny nose all day, so she needed the rest. After stories and a prayer, she crawled up in bed and got all cozy. Then she wrapped her arms around my neck, gave me a bear hug, and said "I love you mommy." I tucked her in and her little eyes were already closed, she was probably nearly asleep by the time I left the room.

I just want to remember that there were lovely good nights like this when she's an impossible teenager.

... nephews.

I have seven nephews, two of whom have birthdays this month. Cole turned five a couple of weeks ago, and Ryan, my youngest nephew, turns 2 today. Rachael and I found this box of candy a couple of weeks ago, we thought of our sweet nephews who like to eat boogers for dinner, and thought this would be a perfect gift.

... keeping busy.

Weekends are harder when Ryan is out of town; in fact they usually don't feel like weekends because everything is just the same. But today I had lots of things to do, and keeping busy makes the day go faster.

I got Rachael and I dressed for church, fixed some refreshments for Relief Society (it's our RS president's birthday), picked up a friend for church, played the organ (including a congregational hymn), dropped off Rachael in nursery, dashed off to Primary to play the piano (I'm just the relief until they call someone, but it's going on three months now...), a quick potty break for Rachael, went to Relief Society where I played the piano, dropped off a friend at her home, fixed lunch, dropped off Rachael at another friend's house so I could go to choir, hit a high G# at choir practice, picked up Rachael, went to an open house for a newly minted Eagle Scout, went home, fixed dinner. Which was hot dogs. I'm wiped.

I'm grateful tomorrow won't be so busy.

... a lovely fall drive.

Today was a lovely fall day, so Rachael and I went to Lexington to run a couple of errands, then found a new way to drive home. I'm always on the lookout for great places to take Kentucky pictures (translation: horses, horse fence, rolling hills, trees). This is a pretty good spot. Now if the leaves would just change...

... the pumpkin patch.

Today we went with our friends Jenny and Alex to Baldwin Farms pumpkin patch. The kids had a great time, but predictably, the tractor was their favorite part. It's not even a regular attraction - the farm hand just happened to be putting more pumpkins out. He was nice enough to let the kids play while he was working. We got a couple of nice pumpkins; the big one in the wagon, and a smaller white one that declined to be photographed. (Or maybe I forgot.)

Choosing some pumpkins

Playing on the tractor
Daddy & Grandpa will be so pleased - it's a Kubota!

The Hay Bale Maze
Rachael loved this because it was just her size!

... and some new feathered friends.

As it turns out, rainy days are great for birdwatching.

I saw the usual robins, starlings, cardinals, blue jays, etc, etc, etc, but we had a couple of new visitors I had never seen before.

The first is a Carolina Wren, about the same size as a cardinal, but brown with a yellow chest. Cute to watch hop around.

The second is a Pileated Woodpecker. We have seen these before - you can't miss the red head - but this is the first time I was able to get a picture.

The third are some red-winged Blackbirds. You can't see the red bars on the males in this picture, but I like the speckled female.

... Rachael's great day.

This morning Rachael and I were talking to Nana on the phone, telling her about our trip to Disney World. Nana was asking about the princesses Rachael might see, like Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty. When Nana asked about Ariel, Rachael said, "No, Ariel lives under the sea." Too bad; I was hoping we would see her!

Tonight we were shopping at the grocery store. Rachael was alternately singing, "Hooray, hooray, today is a wonderful day!" and talking like a pirate: "Arrrgh, matey!" No idea where she heard either of those things. Someday I will miss having my own entertainment system at the grocery store.

When we were leaving Kroeger, Rachael said, "Wow, what a great day!"

You got it, kiddo.

... kid cones.

I found these cute little kid-sized ice cream cones at the store a couple of weeks ago. I think I paid $1.50 for a box of 30.

They are just the right size for Rachael! She had two cones last night - which amounts to about one scoop of ice cream. Perfect! And they are small enough that she can eat it all before it melts all over.

... dressing a beautiful princess.

Is is the dress?

Or the shoes? (Which are really really cool. They light up!)

Maybe the hair and the crown...

Nope... it's definitely the makeup! (Love the technique!)

We thought a little glitter would go well with her Cinderella costume, so a few days ago I bought Rachael some Halloween makeup. She begged me for days to let her put it on, so a couple of days ago, I did. We got out the makeup and I showed her how to use the lip gloss and eyeshadow. I though she would use a little and be ready for a picture, but I should have remembered she's 3 years old: she used the ENTIRE package. Best $4 I have spent, and it was totally worth the mess.

... we're going to Disney World!

We made reservations at Disney World and booked our airline tickets today! We are leaving in just 34 days. I can't wait!

We had planned to go early next year, but Ryan has one more trip to China next year, and it keeps moving around (January? March? who knows). So we decided to just go now instead of trying to work it into next year. When I found airline tickets for $60 per person it sealed the deal.

Is it to early to make a paper chain to count down the days?

... Christmas music.

Today at choir practice we got the first of our Christmas music. Hooray! Now I have a valid excuse to start singing Christmas carols.

Sorry Ryan.

... fall color.

Today we took our only Fall Color Trip this year, since Ryan is headed back to China next week. We went to Pine Mountain state park, because we had never been. It's a neat trip, and the overlook over Pineville is really neat.

Because I have a lot of good panoramic-type pictures, and because this isn't an especially good year for lots of color (draught), I focused on more close-in shots. Fun!




Rachael spent the whole time looking for a "little bench." She was so pleased when she actually found one!

... family pizza night.

We love making homemade pizza! We each make our own, so we can put whatever toppings on it we like. Rachael loves it because she gets to stand on the ladder and help in the kitchen. It's memories like these that I hope she remembers when she's older.

... laundry day.

Actually, I don't like the laundry. On my list of favorite household chores, laundry would be somewhere near the bottom. But it does have some benefits:

• Clean clothes for another week. Obviously!
• I have an excuse to spend the day in my jammies.
  
• The house smells like fabric softener.

The best part? Now I don't have to do laundry for another week.

... and an unexpected night out.

My little girl, my darling daughter, my shopping partner, my ever-ready lunch date... after dinner, she walked up between Ryan and I, and I said, "Yes, Rachael?"

"No, I just want to talk to Daddy."

Then she asked her daddy if he would like to play Cootie or Star Wars with her, and invited me to leave the house or at least go back into the kitchen.

My sweet baby has become Daddy's Girl.

Don't worry about me... I'm off to the mall.


Postcript
I was gone tonight, but this is what happened the last time Rachael and Daddy played Lego Star Wars.

... rain!

Finally we got rain today! We have had less than an inch of rain in the last six weeks, so it was badly needed. Too bad it didn't stay for very long. I can't believe how dry and crunchy things are around here. I'll be glad when we get more!

... playgroup.

Two of my friends (and their kids!) have started a playgroup once a week. We take turns hosting at our house, and the other moms can stay or go. Today it was my turn to host, so I had three kids this morning. I am really enjoying this! First, because I spend my time playing with the kids when it's my turn to host. I know I don't play with Rachael as often as she would like, so having her friends over is a good excuse to just sit on the floor and play with them. (Clark spent a lot of time "shooting" at me with the blue light on the Bumblebee toy. He laughed hysterically every time I pretended to get shot. So cute!) Secondly I think it's great for Rachael to play with other kids on a regular basis. I also like the idea of being able to do something all by myself in the middle of the day!

I got to talk to Alex for a little while, too, since he stayed for lunch today. I can't believe he's not even 2 years old yet. Here he is talking about how his dad plays the cello (he plucks the cello and he bows the cello.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1-qqmrGTKU

Thanks Niki for a great idea!

... a reprieve.

Ryan doesn't have to take any more trips to China this year. I'm so glad! He had been scheduled to leave for most of December, so I feel like we have been given a reprieve, so to speak. And we get to spend all of the holidays together! And he can't escape my Christmas decorating frenzy...

... General Conference.

It's one of my two favorite Sundays of the year... we get to spend the entire day in our pajamas, eating doughnuts and an assortment of finger foods, and watch church on TV. It's so relaxing!

We watched the Saturday morning session and both Sunday sessions. (Although morning sessions actually start at noon in our timezone... does that mean they are just the first session?). My favorite talks were by Elder Dallin H Oaks (reverence), President Eyring (unity), and Sister Dalton (virtue). It's so great to be inspired by the leaders of our church and not even have to leave home to do it.

... and Cootie.

We were looking at toys at the store yesterday when we came across the games, and I found Cootie. When I saw that it was for ages 3 to 6, I knew we had to have it. It was one of mt family's favorites when I was a kid.


After we assembled all the pieces and laid out the board, we played a rousing version. Rachael built the bug of her dreams -pink head, pink body, all the same legs (cool roller skates!), pretty lips, and a bow on her head. There are some cool new options we didn't have when I was little!

... and a nice visit.

We had a great visit with my mom. We did tons of shopping, some sightseeing, and ate at lots of great restaurants. She's off to visit my sister for a week, where my dad will join them, then home.

I'm thankful they have a break from the temple that allows them to come visit! (They are temple workers at the Logan Temple every Saturday morning. The temple is closed for General Conference.)

... cheap gas.

Today we filled up the car for $3.35 a gallon!! Yay!!

It's a sad day when you think $3.35 for a gallon of gas is cheap.

... a fun field trip.

Today Ryan took the day off of work and all of us (including my mom) went on a field trip to Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. We had lots of fun! It's so interesting to see how that particular community lived and functioned so long ago. They were incredibly industrious and very community oriented.

Rachael's favorite part, of course, was the farm animals. We saw horses, cows, sheep, and goats. She thought feeding grass to the goats was fun, until she bent down to pick more grass and the goat mistook her hair ribbons for food. He took a bite and managed to pull out a few hairs. We kept our distance after that.

... tag 3, it's me!

Thanks to my friend Jessie for tagging me!

3 Joys:
1) My husband, Ryan. My best friend, confidant, and occasional world traveler. He picks me up when I'm down and is my constant cheerleader.
2) My daughter Rachael. I learn something new about myself almost everyday and it's not always good. But sometimes it is.
3) Forever Families. It is the belief that families are forever that sustains me when things go wrong.

3 Fears:
1) Something bad will happen to Ryan.
2) Something bad will happen to Rachael.
3) Falling. I'm not afraid of heights but I am afraid of falling from them. Being in a tall building doesn't bother me at all but being on top of a tall building scares me to pieces.
Bonus #4: The spider on the deck. It's huge! And a little scary.

3 Goals:
1) To completely potty train Rachael. Preferably in this century.
2) To have Family Home Evening every Monday night.
3) To visit Alaska. (Or maybe to visit all 50 states. I haven't decided. North Dakota could be tricky.)

3 Obsessions/Collections:
1) The living room always has to be clean. My entire house falls apart if the living room is a disaster. Weird, I know.
2) Moving furniture. It hasn't happened as much in this house, but I do love to move the furniture around. Perhaps that's why I have an obsession with keeping the living room clean.
3) My Little Ponies. I try to say they are Rachael's toys (she really does play with them) but at last count we had 42 ponies, plus a castle, an ice cream truck, and a cotton candy cafe. I'm not sure if that qualifies as an obsession or a collection. Probably both.

3 Random Facts:
1) I have been to the top of Haleakala (in Hawaii) - twice.
2) I still have my prom dress from my senior prom. (I don't know who I am hoping will wear it but I can't bear to part with it. Yet.)
3) I was born in Utah and my parents live there now but I still claim to be from Colorado. (I lived there for 24 years. It counts.)

I don't usually tag people with my blog, so if you liked this and want to post your own, please do!

... shoe shopping.

One of our shopping trips today was to Off Broadway shoe store. My mom is a big fan of shoes and I don't think I have ever seen her leave a shoe store without at least one pair. (Good thing she doesn't shoe shop every week!) I love shoe shopping because no matter what size clothes I am wearing, my feet are always the same size.

We had Rachael with us (of course) and she is getting to be lots of fun in a shoe store. She loves to try on lots of pairs - the more ostentatious, the better. My favorite today was a pair of white cowboy-style boots with large flowers embroidered on them. They were so loud. She was able to get them both on, stand up, and walk around a little bit. Wish I had my camera with me!