Book Lovin'

Multiple times a day I pick up all the books and put them back into the book basket only to have Bryn take them all out again. She loves it. And I LOVE that she loves it.

She is always on the go, except when I set her on my lap with a book. She'll sit still and read books with me for I don't know how long because I've always tired out before she has! She has her favorite ones and knows when and how to do all the interactive things (i.e. "pat the bunny"; "look in the mirror"; etc.). She also likes to turn the pages for me. Hopefully Santa's sleigh will be full of some more books for our little book lover.

Rockefeller

We're enjoying the most magical time of the year in one of the world's most magical cities.

If You're Happy and You Know It

Turkey Fail

I thought it would be quite festive to cut a turkey into the crust of my Thanksgiving pie. Everyone thought it was a bear paw.

Fail.

Halloween

Oma & Papa, a.k.a. A knight and fair maiden

Justin & I dressed as a Publisher's Clearing House presenter and winner

We had fun at our church's Halloween activity in the afternoon, and then we hosted a get together at our house that night. We had 18 people over (not including us), and Bryn slept through the whole thing. What a champ!

Oma & Papa

Justin's mom and dad came out for a week-long visit. They spoiled us in every way imaginable. We had such a great time with them! Some of our activities included:

We visited Sleepy Hollow and drove through the cemetery where Ichabod Crane ran from the Headless Horseman. We were enchanted by the incredible fall color!

We went for a drive up the Hudson where we admired more autumn color and made a stop at West Point Military Academy.

Oma gave Bryn her first taste of a lemon.

We rode bikes through Central Park, and yes, there was great color there too.

We ate at Max Brenner's...oh, soooo good!

Bryn modeling her new winter gear, courtesy of Oma & Papa

Thanks for an amazing week, Oma & Papa. We love you!

Umpkinpay Atchpay

Our trip to the pumpkin patch:

We drove tractors.

We peeked our faces through holes.

We compared sizes with pumpkins.

We strongly disliked the goats.

We put much thought into our pumpkin selection.

We had fun.

Pumpkin Patch Success.

October's hottest fashion:

Splishin' & Splashin'

Bryn had SO much fun taking her bath tonight. She would splash like crazy and then look up at me and laugh, laugh, laugh. It was priceless.

Evidence of fun:

Culprit of fun:

In other news: I made my Honey a pie. And, surprisingly, it tasted really good. D-O-M-E-S-T-I-C...that's me.

Another day of bath-time fun

We've been loving the crisp, Fall weather.

Just 'cuz

Ma-widge

Last month my mom got married! It was a wonderful occasion. We added 5 new members to our family in one day: the bigger the better; our own football team; one BIG happy family. Congratulations, Mom & Mark!

Cold Feet? No Way.

Four years ago this morning I got a phone call from Justin asking what the temperature of my feet was? My reply, "My feet are feeling good, very warm."

Four years ago this morning I followed through with the best decision of my life.
I love him. A lot.

Bienvenidos

I know what you're thinking:

Wow, that's so neat that Jill lives in New York. I totally want to go visit her and take advantage of having a free place to stay in the city. I'll definitely plan a trip and go sometime this summer.

FALSE. You will not come this summer because the Maldens will once again be venturing abroad. So folks, there's no better time to plan your trips than the present. We already have the arrival of our first visitors marked on the calendar for the end of the month.

Can't wait to see you!

The ZOO

Wednesday is "donation day" at the Zoo. For poor people like us "donation day" translates to "free day." This past Wednesday was a beautiful Fall day, perfect for an outing to the Zoo. I was most interested to see the giraffes. Bryn's attention, however, was captured by the playful monkeys and frantically flying bats.