Snow

A new, old friend

I would guess that sometime in early 2006 I signed up to participate in a book swap and was paired up with Kathy. We were both waiting to adopt from China and logged in just two days apart in early November. And both from the Midwest. The children's book swap was to last a few months, maybe 5 or 6. I do not remember, but Kathy and I quickly decided to keep our swap going until we got our referrals long after the official swap ended. This gave our friendship a much greater opportunity to grow as well.

We received our referrals about a month apart in the spring of 2007 and traveled a little later - and in all that time have never had the opportunity to meet until today! Kathy and her daughter had a layover in St. Louis and Olivia and I picked them up and we went to the Mills for some playtime. The girls and moms had a great time hanging out and visiting. It was a ton of fun for everyone! :)

Christmas Tree 2009

We headed to Pumpkin and Pines for our Christmas tree again this year. Olivia was initially not so much into the hike we had to make to get to the field of trees we were looking for, the Norway Spruces, but eventually she decided to come along.

Finally, the perfect tree was located.

And removed.

Since she didn't feel like walking back out, I carried her on my shoulders.

And then, it was time to ride the train!!!!!

How cool am I now!!!

Once we got to the train part, it was a really fun day. No go with wanting to visit with Santa other than to see from afar. We stopped at Cliff and Ella's in Hawk Point on the way home for lunch, brought the tree in and started setting it up.

I met The Pioneer Woman

Yesterday, mom and I left on a fun-filled, whirlwind trip to Country Club Plaza in Kansas City for a book signing by the Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond for her new book The Pioneer Woman Cooks.

Our day began with a drive to Columbia and lunch at Roly Poly. Have you tried this place? OMG, seriously yummy. Then on to Kansas City, checked into my favorite hotel, perhaps in the world, the Sheraton Suites on the Plaza, then out for some shopping. We wandered about for a while then headed to Brio Tuscan Grille for dinner before the question and answer session and book signing.

Ree was awesome, charming, and very funny. Her boys were adorable and her husband was well, adorable too. Every bit the Marlboro Man she describes him as. Every attendee received a cool Pioneer Woman t-shirt!


We headed home today after a lazy morning and a slow drive back and another stop in Columbia for lunch.

Birthday Parties!

We had two parties for Olivia's Birthday - a family party on Sunday, Nov. 1st, the day before her birthday - all the grandparents, godparents, a bunch of cousins and a few Aunts and Uncles enjoyed tacos, corn pudding, cake and ice cream. Some even had margaritas.

Olivia got TONS of stuff and loved every bit of it. Some of the highlights were gobs of Little People princess stuff, a cash register, a voice command dump truck, two tea sets, Clifford and Dr. Seuss Books and a bouncy house:






Then on Monday, the big day we had a kid party at Monkey Joe's. Friends arrived and we played and played and played. After we were almost worn out, we drove the short trip to Aunt Julie's house for more playing, pizza, cake and ice cream.





I requested "no gifts" for the second party and suggested donations for the food pantry, which Olivia collected and will deliver to the food pantry soon.

Treats and More Treats

What a wonderful Halloween! We spend the early part of the day getting ready for the big party tomorrow, then headed over to Brent and Elaine's for the party. Olivia and Daddy carved a pumpkin, we ate some wonderful food, then changed into Cinderella for the trick or treating. All of the kids piled into the big van and had a fabulous time. At one time, we had 21 people in the van. It was great fun for all.

Flower Girl and Fun

On Saturday, Olivia was a flower girl in her cousin Teresa's wedding. She did great and had a lot of fun. She dropped her flower petals like a pro and danced with anyone willing to dance with her at the reception.

Tonight she decided to hang in her toy box with all of her stuffed animals:

Pumpkin Patch 2009

Today we went to a nearby pumpkin patch for Parent's as Teachers day. We rode on a hayride, did crafts and checked out all of the wonderful pumpkins. After a fun time, we had dinner to celebrate Grandma Gayla's birthday.

Eckert's on Saturday, Church Picnic on Sunday

Last weekend was beautiful and we took full advantage of it. We started off on a journey to Grafton for apple picking. Along the way, we picked up my sister Julie and her girls, Tricia and Ashley. Our first stop was the line for the Golden Eagle Ferry:

We pulled up to our place in line, and I quickly recognized the people standing outside of their car two cars in front of us as friends that we see once a year when we camp over Memorial Day weekend. We had a wonderful time visiting with them as we waited.

Ashely and Olivia had lots of fun playing in the river. Olivia got that shirt so wet I had to change it once we got back to the van.

We arrived at Eckert's, ate a lunch then took a long wagon ride to the orchard. Olivia quickly became the apple picking queen, picking them as fast as she could - from the ground and the trees.

They have a great play area that the girls played in for a while after the apple picking was completed.

On Sunday, we went to a church picnic that we go to ever year. Olivia loved the barrel ride around the parking lot.

She disappeared with Aunt Julie for a few minutes and returned with her first ever candy necklace strung around her neck. Ashley gave her a quick lesson in the fine art of candy necklace eating, and the necklace was soon history.

I absolutely love fall - there are so many wonderful things going on!