Halloween

It was a beautiful day...sunny and 60s, but by the time trick-or-treating rolled around, it was just right for Ava's warm, furry costume. Here she is posing with our jack-o-lanterns...

"Mommy Kitty" holding her baby (somewhat willingly held with a little help from me). :)

I think it's time we raked!

Ava and Joe heading out...

One last picture...

Home and happy!

Ava had a blast handing out the candy after she got home, too. She took the job very seriously...handed out one piece to each trick-or-treater (even the big kids in scary costumes), smiled and said "you're welcome." You could tell she felt very big and important in this role! :)

Carving pumpkins

On Thursday, we took advantage of the warm weather and Joe taking the afternoon off and headed to the apple orchard for some pumpkins (finally!). Ava had fun on the hay ride, playing on the playground and petting the animals. Sadly, I forgot the camera, so no pictures! But, she also had fun scooping out the pumpkins that evening...


Starting small with Ava's little pumpkin. (Note Millie checking things out).


Ewwww...this is kind of gross!


Now she's really getting into it! Stay tuned for pictures of the final product tomorrow...

Early Trick-or-Treating

Our grocery store, Kowalski's, has an annual trick-or-treating event the week of Halloween. The employees dress up in costume, and there are about 15 different stops within the store, with treats like juice boxes, chips, and even baby carrots! It's pretty crazy, but they manage it well, and everyone kind of walks in one big line through the store.
Anyway, we joined my friend Hilde and her girls, Emily & Sarah. The girls were so cute together...


Ava, Emily & Sarah



Feline love!


Stopping for a photo-op.


Ava had a great time and got lots of practice saying "Trick-or-Treat" for Friday!

Highlights from the week

I haven't had a chance to post this week, but I thought I'd just put a few pictures up from the highlights of our week...


Hanging out with Grandma at Great-Grandma & Grandpa Walkers' 60th Anniversary dinner.


Catching up with Kristin, while we visited Juliet, Mike and Baby Julia at Children's Hospital.


Getting dressed up for Baby Sophie's birthday party (Sophie is Ava's favorite doll). Check out my bling! :)

Halloween Carnival

Our neighborhood had a Halloween Carnival this weekend. The kids dressed up and each family brought a game and prizes. We had a great turnout and a gorgeous day! It was too warm for Ava's real Halloween costume...stay tuned for pictures of that in a couple of weeks...so she wore a Cinderella dress-up outfit she got for her birthday...as you can see, she fit right in...

Lindsay, Lauren and Ava


Bobbing for apples


Face painting


The whole gang...Ava's front and center, looking a little disgruntled (I think it might just be the sun in her eyes, though... :) )

Weekend Away

For the second time, Ava spent a weekend in Eau Claire with Grandma and Grandpa (and Great-Grandma Lois, too!) Despite some new-found separation issues that had been going on prior to the weekend, Ava had a great time. Joe and I enjoyed a quiet weekend at home, too. I actually found myself quite bored on Saturday, while Joe was studying. I guess the novelty of being alone in my own house wore off pretty quickly this time around!

Anyway, Cheryl sent some pictures for me to share:


Making pumpkin cookies


Hanging out with Uncle Ben and Katie


Nature walk with Great-Grandma Lois, Grandpa...


...and Grandma!


Swinging at the playground with Great-Grandma Lois

We met halfway for lunch on Sunday, and again, Joe and I got a ton of hugs and kisses...approximately one every three minutes, I would say. It was so clear that she had had a great time; made even more clear when she asked me the next day when she could go stay there again!