Happy Halloween!

Fiona celebrated her 2nd Halloween by truly celebrating it for the first time. She partied it up at day care, where she brought non-chocolate, non-dairy, egg-free treats to share (read: pure sugar!). She dressed up as a pink, glittery Minnie Mouse. The pretty dress was fine, but she was not convinced that she needed her mouse ears!

She was quite tired by the time she came home, but managed to enjoy her wagon ride trick-or-treating around the neighborhood with Yogi. We ditched the dress for the neighborhood adventure but wore the ears over our hat. She thought the experience was interesting if nothing else. And it was a beautiful fall evening, so we all enjoyed the fresh air!

She also had fun greeting all our trick-or-treaters with "hi" while introducing them to her "puppy" and showing off her "pumpkins." She even said "boo" a few times. What a funny little Minnie! (and didn't Mike carve beautiful ... I mean scary ... pumpkins!?!)

She was just not going to cooperate for a picture

Trick or Treat!

Silly Saturday: Pebbles and Personality

Fiona and her buddy T at day care have graduated to "toddler" status. That means they are now roommates during naptime. Miss F was not happy about this arrangement and was especially displeased that T's musical preferences were the naptime entertainment du jour. [He listens to Enya. She prefers classical.]

Fiona and Miss A have reached a compromise over the last couple weeks of this experiment. She will thinly veil her displeasure and she and T will listen to classical music. We're quickly learning that flexibility and dealing with change may not be some of Fiona's strongest qualities. However, perseverance to get her own way. Perfect score! She cracks us up!

And finally, to liven up a Saturday, I "styled" Fiona's hair after a famous redheaded baby. I present Fiona Flintstone ;-)

Holy Molars!

We are not big fans of teeth these days. Fiona's teeth especially. They are just plain mean, man!

She cut two teeth last spring and that was it ... until now. She's cut four in the last two months and is working on somewhere between six and sixty right now. I got a glimpse at her top gums and can see the top two molars poking through up there. Sigh ... On top of that, she's developed a sinus cold. So the little sleep her teeth will allow is interrupted by coughing. Our day care provider told us that she was an emotional wreck today. Poor Little Bug!!

Mike braved the teething child as a single parent earlier this week. I was in Nashville from Sunday-Wednesday for work, so it was Dad/Bug time. Her teeth kept her a little on edge, but overall, they had a really fun time together. I even got to video chat with them while I was gone! We are all glad that I'm home. Couple weeks to enjoy ... and then I'm off to the Philippines. I will be glad when both these trips are over - and the teeth are in.

But things are not all traveling and teething around here. We are still sneaking in fun and fall festivities. In fact, here are the promised pumpkin patch pictures. Big thanks to Ellie's parents for taking them!

Wordless Wednesday: So Many Leaves!

Family Adventure Across State Lines

Last month, we excitedly and fearfully watched the calendar as the dates approached for our family trip to Colorado Springs. We were ready for a vacation away from the responsibilities of home, but terrified at flying with a 1-year-old. The trip was a definite success! Fiona was a champ on the flights, was mostly well-mannered and accommodating, and transitioned back into her routine when we got home fairly easily.

Sleeping on the plane ride. So sweet.

We traveled in style - complete with Gma and Gpa J and Auntie Emmy (we needed extra people to help wrangle all our crap!). We rented a house, which worked very well for 7 adults and a toddler. The kitchen was invaluable and the three bathrooms were always in demand. Mike and I even got a few minutes to enjoy the hot tub on the deck one night after bedtime. Yogi also vacationed in northern Wisconsin with Gma and Gpa N. HUGE thanks to them for watching our sweet guy!

He couldn't get over all the 7-Elevens in Colorado.
Had to get a Big Gulp!

Our main reason for the trip was to watch my cousin (our roommate) get married at the Air Force Academy. The wedding was beautiful and his new wife is wonderful. It was special to be there for it!

Amazing, beautiful chapel

And an amazing organ

She was captivated by the bridesmaids
and their sparkly shoes

Family picture at the AF Academy

We also met my college roommate Nancy, who lives in Denver, and went hiking with her at Garden of the Gods. A gorgeous place! Fiona hiked in style with our borrowed backpack carrier. Daddy and Auntie did the hard work of toting her around.

Hiking buddies

Garden of the Gods

A pretty scenic overlook

Chilling out while waiting for a ride

Nancy and me

And we took Fiona to the zoo ... where she fed a giraffe and was terrified by a monkey. We got so lucky with beautiful weather for the whole trip. Low 80s every day (and sunny) and nice cool fall evenings!

Dad - that giraffe took my lettuce!

Grandma got her a ride on the carousel

The zoo is exhausting!

All in all, we had a great time there - but were happy to be back in our lower MN altitude with our very own beds!