Fall Festival

Turkey Lurkey was NOT impressed that we were both dressed in orange on Friday...actually, I think she was more upset because I made her get her picture made!  Smile, Lauren, or else!

She wasn't happy that I wanted a picture of her as well wearing her Oliver Tractor shirt!   But we look good in orange!

October 18--Our church was hosting its annual Fall Festival at the Hood's Farm as usual. We have BBQ, some sides, and desserts galore!! Before we could meet up with the Cadwalladers, Lauren had to have a nap. When Paul got Lauren out of her crib, this is what we found...Weird-Al hair! I asked Paul if he did it, and he said no! (Lauren will play with her hair at times when it's bedtime or she's ready for a nap.)

We didn't get many pictures of Grandma and Grandpa Wade with Lauren this trip since the guys were out hunting and we went to the race on Saturday.  (Jimmie Johnson won, by the way.)  Kay had to strangle-hold Lauren to get a picture!  Kay and Charlie did not get to join us for the fall festival.

Miss Cara looked TOO CUTE wearing some of Lauren's outgrown things.  Isn't she a doll?

I was warned that Nick was in rare form...he was pretty good considering he didn't nap.  He liked running with the other boys and picking apples up from the ground.

My Harris was NOT about to stand still for a picture, so I had to appreciate what I got!

Lauren wanted to love and hug on Cara, but she wasn't sure if it was okay. You can almost see the wheels turning in Lauren's mind...

Lauren didn't want to snuggle Daddy because she was having a good time running around in the mud with her friends.  So many things to discover while out on a farm!

So I said, okay, and got a nice picture of Paul on his own!  Redneck Farmboy cleans up quite well!

Lauren with her friends, checking out mud, rope tape, and boundaries.  Nick was so cute trying to keep Harris and Lauren from doing the wrong thing.

We took a hay ride and had a lot of fun! Lauren loved watching the trees and the grass move in the breeze. Logan did, too, but it looks like his mom is trying to keep him from falling out!

Logan would not cooperate to get his picture taken.  Paul had to help!

Cara LOVED her hayride!  She wanted to look over the edge like Nick and Lauren.  She was pleased with touching (and eating) the hay, however.

October 19--Suzy fussed at me at the festival for not putting Lauren's hair up more often.  She said, I think almost seriously and almost jokingly, "Just bring Lauren's brush, bows, and hair ties, and I'll do it every morning for you."  So I did and Suzy got Lauren's hair done in record time while I kept Lauren washing her hands and distracted.  Lauren didn't want to have her picture taken (again), but Suzy helped get this shot.  Too stinking cute for her (our) own good!  Yikes! 

One of Lauren's friends, Tanner, came in the room, saw Lauren and said, "Hi, Lar-ren!" in the CUTEST little way, gave her a BIG grin, and then gave her a HUGE hug!  Lauren was all smiles for Tanner in her bows.  I think Tanner likes the new look!!

Some of Lauren's new/favorite things:

• That/You/Mommy/Daddy, (etc.) stinks!  Phew!
• My (object), especially toast, Coke, cookies, dolls, books, phone, computers (etc.)
• MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Saying, "Eat, eat, Coke!" when we pass McDonalds or other fast food location!  (She enjoys drinking Coke like Mommy and Daddy.  I think that's a sign we need to STOP!)
• Being with family (especially Josh, Shelly (pie), Logan (Lovey), Grandpa Wade, Luke, Daddy)
• Saying, "Bump!  Again!" whenever we drive home as we go over the bumps in the road!
• Asking, "Again, again!" when we play, read a favorite book, tickle bellies or toes, slide, etc.
• Stealing one of Logan's shoes so he can't go home when he visits, then running around the house, laughing, as Logan chases her on one foot!
• Laughing and trying to play tricks on us.
• Having the cat's tails tickle her face when they lay on the couch.
• Accusing the cats of biting her when they jump off the couch to hide from her.
• Pitching one good fit when told no.
• Eating ONLY the marshmallows out of the Lucky Charms.
• Refusing to drink anything except Simply Orange No-Pulp Calcium-fortified OJ.
• Hiding keys, wallets, cell phones, debit cards, sippy cups, food in various locations throughout the house.
• Running into the bathroom full force when she hears the shower shut off, yelling, "Towel! Towel!", picking up the towel from the floor, and handing it to the parent.  (Or running out of the bathroom down the hall with it while we stand shivering in our birthday suites!)
• Refusing to wear any shoes other than her crocs which are becoming too small and not seasonally appropriate.
• Taking off shoes while in the car, grinning and shaking her head yes when told no.
• Watching Elmo (especially Elmo Visits the Fire House).
• Dancing like a white girl.
• Helping me cook, bake, or empty the dishwasher.  I use the term helping quite loosely at times!

There are many, many other things Lauren enjoys, but most of all, it's loving, teasing, and laughter that fill our home!

Oktoberfest and Baking

October 6--Logan stayed with us for several days while his mom had her gall bladder removed and for a few days during her recovery.  Logan enjoys baking with us, so we tried out some kiss cookies!  I ran out of Kisses, so we made regular peanut butter cookies.  I showed the kids how to mash the dough with a fork to make the pattern.

This picture was actually taken before school.  However, the order of the pictures got scrambled.  Lauren has this standing game with poor Logan.  Logan is told, "Logan, get you shoes on.  It's time to go!"  He says, "Okay!" and attempts to put on his shoes.  He gets both shoes together, and while he's putting on one shoe, Lauren goes in and steals the unattended shoe!  She laughs hysterically (and so do we, because we know it's coming!) and takes off down the hall to the bathroom.  It usually takes a bit of time to get her to release Logan's shoe.  My assumption is that she doens't want her Lovey to go.

Here were the kids putting kisses on the cookies before we ran out.  They were very careful to avoid the sides of the cookie sheets.  The only problem was that when the cookies cooled, the kisses fell off because they didn't press them on enough!

Oh, well!

I had worked an auction all day Saturday.  Paul's parents arrived around lunch.  So what better way to celebrate than to go out to a crowd with two kids who were hungry and wait for an hour and a half to eat dinner?!  (Yes, this is sarcastic.  However, I did appreciate that I didn't have to cook.)  We were able to see a few vendors (Lauren got some cute barettes she may or may not wear) and pet some dogs while we waited.  However, we kept getting told, "Just a few more minutes."  By the time I gave 2 minutes, they were down to 10 seconds before I snatched Lauren and Logan, went through a drive-thru, and put them to bed! 

So, we ate at the Tap Room.

Logan had a hard time waiting and was really hungry, so Lauren tried to cheer him up by giving him hugs...

...and more hugs...

...and when that didn't work, we played in BUBBLES!!! 

On Sunday, Lauren and Grandma Wade made brownies.  I'm sure Grandma liked the end results...

The mixing is the most fun. That's when Lauren helps herself to the batter! I turned my back before Icould get a good shot of Lauren-Chocolate Mouth!

Lauren looked ADORABLE in this outfit Aunt Pie got for her.  Lauren, however, wasn't that happy about posing, os she was a little grumpy.  I just couldn't believe how much she's grown and how little like a toddler she now looks!

With her bug, however, she was much more willing to look cute and smile for the camera!

Cakes and Museums

We've been an extremely busy with Josh, Shelly, and Logan, playing and working. Paul and I finished up our cake decorating classes on Sept. 30 (yea!). We did enjoy it, but it took a lot of time from other pursuits. My first cake on my own was the blue, purple, and neon green guitar to the right. It was gone and tasted absolutely wonderful! My second cake is below. I made a football helmet and tried to make it as Steeler-y as possible...however, this was my downfall because I spent the next two days at home with a stomach bug! I didn't run a fever, but it took me about a week to get back on track.

Here is a close up of my cake. Not the best, but I certainly tried hard!

We spend a LOT of time playing with our family down here. Logan and Lauren have this AWESOME bond, one that I know is more strong than not. Paul, by default, seems to get into the rough-housing more often than not. Lauren led a pile-drive on top of Paul this night! (September 25)

We had planned a weekend trip to Charleston, but illnesses kept us from going. We went to the Shiele Museum in Gastonia on September 26 instead. They had a mini-space exhibit. Paul and Lauren walked on the moon, as did Logan.

A trip wouldn't be complete without Lauren pitching it. It was around lunch time and past her nap time...

Paul found a chameleon fish in this tank. It scared us then made us laugh!

The science center had an exhibit with sand and ocean topics. Lauren and Logan loved playing in the sand and sifting out impurities.

Shelly even got into the fun!

Logan caught an enormous fish! Look how surprised he was about it!

There was an area for kids to explore different concepts. The monthly topic was animals, and the museum had quite a variety of centers all focused on animals. The two "L"s enjoyed puzzles the most.

Logan dressed up!

September 29--I had put together a sandwich for my lunch. Lauren always loves to help (or hinder) when she can. That little turkey stole my lunch, ran into the office with Paul, and then began to nibble on my sandwich! We had a big laugh, but it was fun to show my kids Lauren's latest act.

Our last cake class was on Sept. 30. We really enjoyed doing an activity for just Paul and me, but I'm relieved it's over. (My house is a wreck!!) Here was my last cake. I developed a knack for the roses and the little bud flowers. Paul showed me how to make leaves. My cake looked a little lacking, so Paul added the purple star to finish it off! Too cute!

I also stole both cakes because our receptionist at school, Ms. Debbie, had her birthday on Oct. 1. Paul made one of the roses, but I did the rest. He added leaves and Debbie's message. Everyone LOVED the cakes. However, I have developed something about the smell of the icing since being ill, so I didn't sample.

La Piece de la Resistance! Shelly kept Lauren for me on Saturday, Oct. 3 so that I could work an auction. Lauren had a little trouble staying asleep, so Shelly went in to snuggle Lauren. Shelly woke up when Josh found the two girls snuggled up in bed, sleeping away. This has to be my favorite picture of the last two weeks!! I only hope that as Lauren grows, she realizes how many people love her unconditionally!