All Hallows' Eve

It actually snowed on the day of our ward's Halloween party. Madeline and her little friend Jacob are looking out the window at the flurries.

But we persevered through the storm because Little Bo Peep had to find her sheep.

Little Bo Peep also won the prize for cutest costume. Here she is picking up her candy apple award. Boy, was it delicious! Er, um...not that I ate my daughter's prize...I mean, who would do that?

Little Bo Peep also found some...elephants! We decided to stop by the Natural History Museum for some trick or treating. It was a blast!

But Madeline was more excited to see Jupiter than she was the candy tables. Her and daddy have a weird bond over the planets.

Little Bo Peep FOUND her sheep. It was a coincidence that when we got out of the taxi at the Natural History Museum there were three adorable sheep just waiting there. We just had to get a shot of them together. As did some Japanese tourists.

Pumpkins

This Halloween season has been a blast. We kicked it off with a trip to the Bronx to the the New York Botanical Gardens with the Blairs. There were HUGE pumpkins there!

There were also cool displays made of pumpkins and squash.

A Sadie Hawkins date in matching pumpkin shirts.

The pumpkin behind these two toddler pumpkins was more than 1,000 pounds.
The trip was just the inspiration we needed to carve a pumpkin of our own. (Which molded and deteriorated in 2 days) It actually scared Madeline but isn't that the point of a Jack-0-lantern?

Bethany Beach

We had loads of fun at Bethany Beach in Delaware this summer. We went a couple of different times and rented a beach house.

Charles and his parents are major beach people. I'm learning how it all works.

First you get up early to stake a sweet spot close to the waves.

Then daddy builds a wall that keeps the waves from washing over the beach towels...and when the tide gets higher it makes a nice little wading pool.

It's best if you can bring as much family as possible. Even the busy Reverend Granny Mae enjoyed some beach time.

In the evenings there are rides to be enjoyed for the little ones. You can see how happy Madeline is here with all of the....

...little cars, boats, and airplanes to ride.

We won't talk about the Ferris Wheel that mommy got claustrophobic on and had to get off....like...immediately!

(Cheryl looks like she is a swimsuit model. I hate her.)

But, mostly, to be a beach person you just have to enjoy listening to the waves crash and roar. (It doesn't hurt to have a little eye candy to look at like my Mr. Handsome.) Madeline loved going in the ocean.

Which is why it's hard to explain why she was afraid....

...of getting into the swimming pool. ( After much coaxing we finally made her comfortable.)

Farewell summer and Bethany Beach, we had a blast!!