Halle's birthday

Carli was kind enough to plan Halle's birthday party while we were in town and I have to tell you--it was amazing! She planned, cooked, and baked for it in one afternoon and the party was so much fun! The kids had a little scavenger hunt, decorated cookies, played games...

The party itself was perfect for toddlers--lots of activity to keep them busy, in a comfortable setting, without too many people. But what was most impressive to me was Carli's composure! She put her kids down for naps, went shopping, came home to cook, did all the party prep...calmy, efficiently, stress-free, in only a few hours...It was unlike anything I've seen before! It was such a great lesson for me to watch her work!

Merry Christmas

Lily and Halle, the best of friends

holding hands

watching their daddy's playing football

Grandpa and Grandma with their grandkids

Happy Holidays!

Great grandma Reinstra with her great grandchildren

Staying with the Grants

Dinner time!

Bed time!

Hide & Seek

Lily and "baby lukie"

Aunt Carli's homemade breakfast!

Lily, the jet setter

We are heading to Washington for the holidays. Traveling is a little easier now that Lily can carry her own luggage! We made sure to pack movies, snacks, books, art supplies, and extra clothes. That first trip home, when I had babypoop all over me, seems like ages ago!

Mommy's dress

We tried to get pictures of Lily in a dress I wore as a toddler, but she just didn't feel like modeling tonight. Hopefully we can try again another time...

Mini celebrity

Being so stylish is exhausting!

I know her poor little neck is all kinked, but I couldn't resist taking a few pictures.

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!