Pumpkin weekend

My mother has issues. Like really. She is obsessed with fall. Dad tells me she used to put pumpkin in everything. I'm anxious for the moment in my life when she forced pumpkin upon me. I have a feeling it's coming soon because this weekend I watched her bake a huge pan overflowing with pumpkin purée! I mean, I could have gone swimming in this pan if I wanted (which, of course, I didn't want to...that would be weird.) The positive side to my mom's obsession is that I get to enjoy many pumpkin patches and experience many fun and entertaining fall-things. 

 I went to a trunk-or-treat this weekend. My parents dressed me up like a monkey (and make a few too many jokes about me being a monkey in real life) and took me to the park where my friends were! We all walked around to everyone's parents' cars and got TREATS!! I got new toys and something called candy (though, that diapered before I could figure out what it was...) 

 After we got treats, we got to go play at the park. Always a good time. 

 That evening, Mom got out a BIG knife and cut the top off of a pumpkin! I thought they were just for looking, but she let me stick my hand inside! That slime is something I will never forget.

 While Mom continued to mutilate the pumpkin, I helped Dad chop up some wood. 

 The next day they took me to lunch after meeting and then took me to another pumpkin patch! I must admit, this is where mom's obsession really gets fun! Sliding down this slippery slide was the highlight of my day. I met a scarecrow before we entered the maze. 

Playing in corn wasn't nearly as tasty as one might imagine. 

 I even got to bounce with the big kids! Maybe mom is rubbing off on me, but I'm starting to love pumpkins!

...maybe she and I need a little time apart...

Babywearing Pictures

My mom wanted me to share these with you. Apparently she likes them...

Backyard playground

People, I have had the absolute best, most wonderful, positively perfect opportunity come into my life. My backyard has been turned to a playground!  Yes, you read that right. Playing at the park ranks top 5 on my list of favorite things, so it's a wonder what took my parents so long to figure out what I *needed* in my life. And at long last, it's here!  Enjoy:

A roaring good time

Night-Time Park Fun

My parents are good parents.  They like to make babies happy.  One thing that makes this baby especially happy is the PARK!  Sliding, swinging, walking...I love it all!  Even the cooler weather and earlier darkness can't keep me down!

Fun in Iowa

Mom and Dad drove me all the way to Iowa to visit my friends! It was very selfless of them. They were even kind enough to stay the weekend and talk with my friends' parents so I could have lots of time to play. Very kind. 

We thought maybe we could have a slumber party in one crib!  Our parents didn't think it was a good idea. 

Mom said this was a "crib full of trouble"

Lucky for me, there were FOUR sets of Moms and Dads there. Three backup sets for me!

We got to go to the pumpkin patch and then played outside even more while our parents zip lined. 

Craig was the brave first-goer. 

Addison didn't like watching her daddy zip away like that. 

My own dad was also brave enough to try. 

He even tried some stunts!

Aunt Beth soared high too

And even Stacy braved the line!

The only thing more impressive was my motorcycle skills. 

Of course, us kids had a great time playing together. 

Unfortunately we didn't get one picture of all 8 parents and 6 littles together. Maybe next time! My mom also sends her regrets as she, once again, forgot her camera most of the weekend and didn't get many pictures. Please forgive her. Her brain doesn't work right...she claims it's from lack of sleep. 

Anyway, we had a great time!  I love visiting my friends!  Maybe I can talk my parents into taking me back to visit sometime soon!

Convention

I finally got to experience this convention everyone kept talking about. The bad: I had to sit...and sit...and sit while some people I didn't know talked about the bible. I wasn't a fan. They tell me I will appreciate it when I'm older. I tell them to stop forcing me to sit places.

 The good: I got to swing and play with my cousin Zoey. 

The ugly: oh, who am I kidding?  The ugly didn't exist! Cute? Yes! Ugly? Not in my vocabulary.

Bike riding

If there is one thing my mom loves, it's a good deal. She loves to go to garage sales and buy other people's old junk. Seriously. I can't make this stuff up. Before I was even born, she bought a bike trailer for me and any future kids to ride in. What she failed to realize was that I couldn't ride in it until I was nearly 1 (lack of helmet would equal an unsafe situation). Because of this necessity for safe riding, this cart has sat in the garage for well over a year. We finally broke it out and took it for a test drive. 

  Contrary to the photos, I hated it. I hope for no repeat of this torture device.