Look What I Figured Out!

Evelyn has been trying to get herself over the bathtub ledge for a few weeks now.  Her little legs make it more difficult to hoist herself over, but she finally figured out how to use her arms to give her more of an advantage.

 She was so proud of herself!

Amber took these pictures while they were playing at the park today - this girl loves rocks, leaves, and sticks!

Pumpkin Patch

Because nothing says "pumpkin patch" like 95 degrees and wind blowing you over...we decided to visit the local "pumpkin patch" here.  It's basically a roped off area with some pallets of pumpkins on it.  It works...but it makes me sad because I've been to a real pumpkin patch with hay rides, and apple cider, and petting zoos.  Sigh.  Nevertheless, Evelyn loved it.

Grandad will be happy to know that playing with the pallets was pretty much the highlight of the trip for her.

Do you guys see all these pumpkins?!

This rock was also a highlight of the trip for her!

She was more interested in the scarecrow than looking at me for a picture...and people were waiting, so we didn't have long to get her to look.

Daddy did a better job of getting her to look!

This year she didn't cry at touching the straw (right, Katie?  straw...I can't remember)

 

  This is my favorite shot from the trip!

You know it's time to go when she's laying her head on the pumpkin saying "nigh-night"...

 

Father-Daughter Dance

Our church hosted a Father-Daughter dance tonight.  Dan has been looking forward to this night since they announced it two months ago.  We made a big deal about it - I picked out a dress for Evelyn and we hid it from Daddy until the big night.

Evelyn even let me paint her fingernails and toenails for the first time!

I made a corsage for her to wear (Daddy had a matching boutineer to match!).

Here she is right before Daddy got to see her!

Getting ready to head out!

Some pictures before the dance!

 

This was her face when she saw the tiara and jewelry that Dan bought for her!

Daddy and his princess!

Telling Mommy bye-bye!

I may or may not have taken about 100 pictures...yikes.

They had a date for dinner first - mac & cheese at McAllister's!

Dan said it was cute - it was like she knew she had a pretty dress on because she was extra careful eating, taking care not to spill anything (which is NOT normal for her!)

At the ball...

It was so great seeing all of the parents posting pictures of what the Dad's were doing for their little girls.  I loved seeing this next generation of girls be shown what a real date looks like and how special they are in the eyes of their fathers.  My prayer is that each of them will know very early how precious they are to their heavenly Father whose desire is for them.  Thank you to everyone who helped to put this event together - it was amazing!

Random Catching Up

Some random acts of cuteness going on in our house these days...

Evelyn has finally gotten over her earlier encounter with pots and pans...this is now her favorite cabinet to get into.

Evelyn usually joins me in the bathroom as I get ready in the mornings.  This particular morning, I put her fake pearl necklace on her.  She usually loves playing with it.

Not so much this morning...

It got better after she yanked it off...

She also likes to crawl in the shower after I get out while I'm getting out and play in the water puddles.

Amber took this video one day when Evelyn was eating her afternoon snack.  This is the best way to eat pudding...stripped down to your diaper.

My favorite is the look she gives Amber in the second one when she starts lapping it up with her tongue.

 

  Sometimes you just want to turn your bib around and be a superhero.

Evelyn's favorite spot to sit and eat her snacks is the small space in between our couches.  When we are watching Broncos games, she will sit in here for 5-10 minutes, just eating her snack and watching the game.

She has worn this Broncos shirt during the 3 games we have won this year.  She may or may not only wear this shirt from here on out. :-)

She sat up on her 4-wheeler watching for part of the game too.

Unfortunately for her, she missed the best part of this Monday night game - the second half against the Chargers.  Perhaps my favorite 2 quarters of football ever.  I love seeing Phillip Rivers cry.  And I love the Broncos.

Another morning with Mommy getting ready.  Most mornings she isn't up until after I'm ready, but this week she's been an earlier riser.

We pulled out "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" this week.  Her favorite scenes were Linus playing the piano.  We may have a musician on our hands!

This was the first 3-4 minutes of the show, the rest of it she pretty much played through or danced to.

I had a Board of Directors meeting for a professional society that I belong to in Dallas one day.  Fortunately I can take the first flight out of Corpus to make it in plenty of time for the meeting, and catch the early evening flight back to make it home before bedtime.  I didn't get to see my little girl much that day, but at least I got to see her.

Knowing I was having a hard time because Fridays are usually my day home with Evelyn, Amber sent me this picture...

She loves playing with her barnyard fridge toy...especially now that she's learning animals and animal sounds!

Dan was getting some work done, and Evelyn wanted to help.

Birthday Parties and Tailgates

This morning we had a birthday party for one of the girls from our church.  The party was held at the park we usually take Evelyn to that is about a mile from our house.  In a desperate attempt to feel like it is actually fall, we rode our bikes there.  We sweated the whole way - it's still not fall.

Evelyn loved playing with the bubbles

Chasing bubbles

Daddy trying to keep a steady stream coming out...

After the party, we came home for a nap, then headed out to Kingsville with Daddy (he had to work the home football game).  Both times we have gone out to the tailgate festivities, Evelyn has loved it.  She runs around (as much as we'll let her), gets dirty (what kid doesn't like that?), and loves to dance to the music.

Here she is busting out some moves...

And a video of the move busting...

Dan had to work through halftime, so Evelyn and I decided to stay for the game.  Her favorite part was, by far, the marching band.  She liked the game as well, but when the band was on the field - she was clapping and dancing.  'Twas a good time...but nothing like the college football we are used to.  Sigh.  I miss Purdue.

Family self-portrait (Dan and I were trying to get Evelyn to smile)

And the more "normal" shot

Dan had to go down to work with about 5 minutes left in the half.  I knew she would want to see the marching band, so I stayed with her in the stands.  During the last minutes of the half, she managed to get herself stuck in the chair back.  Naturally, I took pictures before I helped. :-)

We had a good time being able to still be together on a home football Saturday - usually we lose Dan for the better part of the afternoon and evening.  It's always so much fun watching Evelyn experience new things, too!