Happy Halloween

Well Lily refused to wear her Ladybug costume today so instead of trick or treating at Liberty Square, we just stayed home to pass out candy.

She had so much fun opening the door and talking to all the kids that stopped by! Everytime the doorbell rang, she thought it was her friend, Alexa coming over to play!!

We had less than 20 people stop by...but it was an interesting crowd. A little Dracula actually just walked right on in and came upstairs--he never asked for candy, but he did ask what movie we were watching. I gave him a few pieces of candy, but he still stuck around for another minute or two just checking the place out and talking to Lily. Eventually, I turned him around by his shoulders and redirected him back to his parents, who were waiting inside their car.

It certainly wasn't that I minded having him around...but I did wonder if he's had that stranger-danger talk yet?? After that, I decided to lock the door.

Lily & Friends!

Photo by Kristina Richmond

This is a picture of Lily and her daycare friends, after completing a photo project.

Family day at the Alldredge Orchards & Pumpkin Patch

We spent the afternoon at Alldredge Orchards and Lily had such a great time! She played on the wooden playground, in the wooden play house, she pet the animals, she picked an apple, and we took a short hay ride!

I recommend this place to anyone in KC who has children because it's very relaxed and the prices are really low! We came home with two large pumpkins, two corn stalks, and a jar of apple butter for $15! We also enjoyed the best piece of apple pie with our lunch in their cafe!!

She was having soooo much fun running around, that she refused to sit nicely for a picture!

We crossed paths with this hen after our hay ride, and Lily really wanted to hold the poor thing. She followed this hen through the orchard, under the bushes...Lily's shirt eventually got stuck on branches before she finally gave up!

We brought two pumpkins from the patch, but traded them in for some pre-cut pumpkins back at that barn when we got ready to pay.

Temporarily breaking from her chicken chase, Lily picked a tiny apple off a low branch.

Lily & Friends at the Pumpkin Patch

Photos by Kristina Richmond

Lily's daycare took a field trip to the pumpkin patch today where everyone got to pick out their own pumpkin to bring home!

Pals!

Lily and baby Sophie playing in the car. As only children, they were happy to have found a friend...most of the time!

Good bye, Oregon!

Lincoln City

Arriving at the Inn at Spanish Head...Lily's "limo" moment

View from the balcony

View from the room

Snacking along the way Lily loves chocolate cake!!

Lily's party

Did you notice, the missing icing? This picture was taken after Lily attacked her cake, but before we actually had the chance to sing to her!

Party Pictures

Well it was a long day and I learned a valuable lesson--toddlers don't really need birthday parties! Thank you to everyone who came out and made Lily's party memorable! Although we couldn't control the weather, I appreciate that you all showed up to make the day special!

Olivia & Blaise showing off their candy-collecting skills!

Baby Sophie!!!! Look at that long, beautiful hair!

Discovery Playground

We went to a park in Spokane called Discovery Playground that is so unique--I wish there was a park like it in Kansas City! There are musical exhibits, innovative toys, imprints of fossils, oversized props--it almost seems a little Doctor Seuss-ish! Except for the freezing weather, it would have been a nice place for a picnic!

Weekend with the Smiths

Lily & Gigi napping on the drive to Coeur d'Alene

This was Lily's first time on a ride! She, Halle, & Caleb had so much fun!

Lily meets Moses.

Moses likes Lily alright, but Lily loves Moses.
Moses spends the next week as the object of her affection.

Cousins!!

Flight to Spokane

The ride from the parking lot to the terminal was a bumpy one and Lily was nervous to be out of her carseat.

Although we paid for three seats, Lily spent the first flight on Daddy's lap!

Lily and Grandma Christy are reunited!!

Headed out West

Well it took a lot of coordination on the parts of several people but thankfully, we are finally heading back to the northwest for a two week trip!

We look forward to seeing all our family and hopefully a few friends as well!

Happy Birthday, Lily!!

Lily, how old are you now?

Being 2 really wears a girl out!

Wow...has it really been two years already?!

I could write volumes about what Lily means to us and how she has changed us, but the simple truth is that being a parent is such an incredible blessing--it's so much more than I could ever adequately describe!

That God would choose to share Lily with Eric and me is so...humbling...because she is such a treasure!! The best way I can describe her is like a diamond--She has many facets, each adding to her brilliance!

She is so funny!

Tonight after the bath Lily disappeared into her room. A minute later she emerged with a pair of Dora undies that she put on all by herself--inside out and backwards!

She really keeps us laughing!!

Farmer's Market

We had to visit two different farmer's markets today before we found all the right produce, but it was well worth the trip! Lily enjoyed people watching and we even bumped into her friends, Reagan and Lincoln!

It was so hot today, by the time we finished shopping we were both sweating, but it was still a beautiful day to be outside. Days like this really make me wish we had family around to join us for our weekend adventures!