Playing in the snow

Piper loved playing in the snow except when she started getting too cold. (We've since bought her a proper snow coat.) I took an awesome video of her jumping in the snow; she was fascinated by making footprints. Now if we could only get a snowstorm big enough to make a snowman. That's what she's really excited for. We'll have to stock up on carrots.

First snow of the season

Birthday recap

This past weekend was my 31st birthday. Man, writing that makes me feel my age. Despite the torrential rain we celebrated by meeting friends for burgers and fries. Then everyone came to our house for cake and ice cream. It was such a good time. I loved all my gifts and being able to celebrate with my friends too. Piper was excited about my gifts and loved singing happy birthday to me. Thanks everyone for my wonderful birthday!

Gorgeous flowers from Mindy

Flowers and gifts from Mindy

Opening Piper's gift - 30 Rock, Season 2


Opening Rick's gift - a gorgeous new purse

From my in-laws - a red cashmere cableknit sweater

Enjoying some root beer and cake with some friends

Recent craft projects

Piper loves her craft class at the rec center. So much so that we signed up for the next installment. It's such fun and to boot she has a good friend from church in her class now too. Simple pleasures.

The owl on the left is missing his eyes and somehow got a star from the plate on the right instead.


The Q-tip skeleton was fun.


Indian corn, a fall foliage frame and a spiderweb made by putting paint on the paper and shaking it in a box of marbles.


A pitiful caterpillar, a leafed-out turkey, and snowflake bookmark.

The big day

Here are long-awaited pictures of our first American Halloween. And what would Piper be but a KU Jayhawks cheerleader?! We are of course both the NCAA football and basketball champions for 2008.

As for trick-or-treating, our town has time limits. I'm assuming that it's to avoid those crazy kids coming around at 11:00 Our alloted time was 6:00-8:00. First we went to a friend's house for some great company and chili and then I went home while Rick and Piper went trick-or-treating. We had great weather; I actually sat on the porch handing out candy. Piper came back after only 45 minutes because she couldn't carry her bucket any more. All-in-all a great night!

Our li'l pumpkin with our pumpkins. You'll notice the ghost jack-o-lantern I carved this year.

We taught Piper how to say "Go Jayhawks!"


Rick's costume got a few comments. Piper had insisted that he be a pumpkin so what else was I to do but take one orange sweater and scotch tape black fabric to it. I would have done safety pins but we didn't have any.


The spoils

Pumpkin painting

Yes this was last week. Gimme a break - I'm catching up.

Pumpkin picking

Last weekend we went to a local farm to pick pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns. We also got a free hayride out to the patch. That's three hayrides for Piper this season, if you're keeping count. Piper picked out a small pumpkin and then we went back to the barn so Rick could pick out a larger pumpkin. We had Piper paint her pumpkin and then I carved the one Rick selected.