How to Get Joann to Eat her Dinner

Let her sit on her handsome daddy's lap.

Puppy

This little guy is very dear to Joann. He gets taken care of very well, as you can see.

Halloween Playgroup

I got no good pictures, but they'll do. We had a fun party at a friend's house. We did crafts and had snacks and treats. Joann kept her wings on the whole time. I hope we didn't fill her costume-wearing quota.


Sweet Lady Eden.

New Chairs

We got two new chairs at a garage sale for a great price. They are green with dark blue, and they match our couch cover. It will be so nice to have enough seating for guests, when I can get the rest of my house presentable, that is. Devin's parents and sister, Amber, are coming for a visit this weekend.

The Pumpkin Patch

We picked a very chilly, but sunny day to go to Boyd Orchard with Andrea, Ashton, and Abby. I kept offering Joann her second sweater, but she kept refusing. Then I said, "Joann, if you wear another sweater, it will make you warmer." She let me put it on her. Why do I assume my daughter is just refusing because she's two, and not because she doesn't understand? She is one smart cookie. Anyway, we fed the goats and played on the swings and Joann tried the slide, but there were too many strangers watching her for her to like it I think. We got some very yummy doughnuts and also got lost in the beautiful countryside on the way home. Overall, a very fun day.

This is Why She Loves Him

Devin made paper elephants with Joann one morning. She was so appreciative that she would reach over and pat his arm and say, "I wuv you." (That's what she's doing in the first picture.) I could do crafts with Joann all day long and it would never be quite this special. Ah, the power of Daddy.

Pintos

We've been trying to eat more vegetables and fewer carbs. I made this up, and I don't have a recipe--only a list--but it was really good. Saute chopped onion, carrot, bell pepper, and tomatoes, add cumin, garlic, and chili powder, and some salt. I had some pureed cauliflower, so I added about 1 1/2 cups of that, and a can of pinto beans. We ate it over lettuce with cheese, avocado, and pineapple. You could also eat this over rice. I think I'll put corn in it next time.

Way to Go Dev

Devin has worked very hard for 10 weeks and lost 30 lbs!

Playing Outside

We enjoyed the fading summer sun.

She's Too Grown Up

Here's Joann talking on the phone like a grown up. She answered all her grandma's questions and told grandma all about what she was doing, about going to the dentist, about Grace's birthday party and how she had a piece of cake and ate it all gone.

Grace's Birthday

Devin and I got to make Grace's birthday cake. Isn't it amazing? I think she liked it. Joann sure did. I remember when Grace turned 5--I can't believe we've known the Browns for a year already. Maybe dental school really will fly by.

Elders

Our ward has had the best set of missionaries for almost a year. We've had them over nearly every week and have loved associating with these two. Joann has become attached to our "Mee-sees," and has loved all the lessons they've shared with us. Elder Birrell got transferred about a week ago, so I snagged a picture of them.

Adorable Rain

I love this girl! She giggles when she goes out in the rain.

The Arboretum

I get the best pictures at the UK arboretum. We attended classes about flowers, colors, seeds, corn, beans, and squash. Joann even got to grind corn and taste cornbread. The classes are over, but we went to the arboretum today for a walk, and Joann kept asking where her friends were and when we could go to a class. She now knows what seeds are and how they can travel. You should ask her what an acorn is sometime.

Everyday Things