Halloween 2009, Year of the Lady Bug!

As we have for the last few years, we took our candy next door to the neighbors and walked around with their Grandchildren. Payton, Maria, and Dominic were all a hoot and had a blast.

Go figure that the kids were into the candy before we even left the house!

One of the houses up at the end of our street rents a horse drawn hayride that circles the block and is free to everyone. It is a great break from the walk, and the kids really remember it. I think that both Payton and Maira had at least 10 suckers a piece by the time we cut them all off, and who knows what else.

This time we went in the evening to a Pumpkin Patch in St. Louis.

This is on a big Orchard that really has this seasonal thing down! There were several rides, lots of food, a big play area, animals, a fun house and a Haunted Hayride. The little stinker did just about everything that she could. Not even the ghosts and goblins along the hayride could spook the little girly away! She enjoyed every minute of the trip and was out like a light less than 5 minutes out of the parking lot.

Look Uncle Mill, she even carried her gost along for the trip!

Happy Birthday to Payton !

We had the opportunity to go home for Payton's second birthday. 

While the concept may not be there yet, who can resist cake and presents! 

Her two favorite gifts were the dress up clothes she got and the "Soccer Ball!"  Look at her go, she even got a Blackberry before I could.  ...and what lady doesn't eat their cake without her high heels! 

She is getting so big.

We had a good time but was a bit cold at the Pumpkin Patch! 

Did a corn maze for the first time.  Had Payton on my shoulders while we walked and she sang to us!  Ashley came up behind her mom and gave her a scare at the end.  We had to ride a tractor out to the maze and when we were done we picked out the best pumpkins.  Then we were told that we picked them from the neighbors farm!  Another tractor ride later, we found our pumpkin and were off to see some of the animals before getting into the warm car to go home.

So Miss Payton needed a new coat for winter.  After many a visit to a few stores, we settled for this one.  It is a bit on the big side, but I was convinced that this was the way to go.  She really seems to like it.

Have been out of the blog loop for a few months, and some pictures just got to me a week or so ago.

Mom and Dad came out to visit late this summer and we took an impromptu visit to Branson Missouri.  Wanted to check it out a potential longer visit.

Payton's favorite two things were swimming in the hotel pool, and riding the DUCKS!  This was a vehicle that started out on land and then plunged into the lake for a nice swim!  The lake was awesome and the sights were very pretty around the area.

Happy 4th of July !

We had to find ways to have fun while we dodged the rain drops that had us in and out during the the evening...

It made for a long weekend (we stayed up late two nights in a row), but Payton loved the Fireworks !