Raking Leaves

Tonight we raked and burned some leaves. Gracie and Ella wanted to roast marshmallows, but all we had were mini marshmallows. Ella still enjoyed them, not roasted!

We raked in the dark since that seems to be the only time we are home these days. Gracie thought it was funny that we were raking in the dark. Our neighbors probably thought we were crazy!

The piles of leaves were too tempting for these little girls. They ended up making snow angels in the leaves for a while.

Did we have some leaves, or what?!

A Fairy Birthday Party

Gracie and Ella were invited to a birthday party with a fairy theme. Gracie was excited the whole week before the party. These are the girl's friends Savannah (left) and Madison (behind Ella).

This was the only picture I got of Gracie and Madison and Gracie's eyes are closed. Oh, well. It's still cute.

Ella snuck off during the party and sat under some tables that were pushed to the side of the room. It must have felt like a tent.

Tissue paper became a wonderful toy after Madison opened her presents. The girls threw it into the air and tried to catch it as it floated to the ground. It doesn't take much to entertain them at this age.

Our New Friend

We were in Moberly today after church to celebrate Grandpa's birthday. Ella loves to play Grandpa's organ, and we have a picture of Gracie doing this same thing when she was Ella's age, so I tried to get a few shots today. It's always fun to lay them side by side and see how similar the girls look at certain stages.

This is the newest addition to our family. My mom bought a new fall scarecrow for us to put outside. The girls loved him very much. He is sturdy and won't blow away. We have one that Ray and Mikie bought us when we lived in Kahoka and it is Gracie's, so maybe this one will be Ella's. We are busy raking leaves right now at our house. I guess that's one thing my dad passed on to me. I can't stand seeing our yard full of leaves. Maybe if they didn't turn yucky after the rain and snow hit I wouldn't care, but they just get to be a yucky mess. Happy Fall!

M-I-Z-Z-O-U

Brent and I headed to Columbia today to watch the Missouri Tigers get defeated by Baylor. It was a very disappointing game, but it's always fun to be a part of the atmosphere you see at a MU game. It was a gorgeous day, and we even got hot. Strange for November, huh?!

Pre-Halloween Trick or Treating

We drove to Moberly tonight to Trick or Treat my parents and Grandma Kaser. It gave Ella a little taste of what tomorrow will be like, and she had fun! Barbie and our little ladybug were very cute.

Grandpa and Nana were glad to see their girls!

Nana insisted I sneak in a photo. It's a rare thing!

Gracie quickly shed her wig and enjoyed posing with the pumpkins Grandpa and Nana gave them.

Ella looks a little sour, but she had a good time at Nana Kaser's. Nana has good toys to play with!

Grandpa was warned that he shouldn't put Gracie's wig on, and now he knows what his punishment is. Public ridicule!

Gracie's Kindergarten Halloween Party

Gracie was so excited for her class party today. She is Barbie, but obviously didn't wear her wig. She took it to school but decided she didn't want to wear it I guess.

Gracie's teacher, Miss Gott made a really good Indian.

Gracie and her classmates all dressed up. I didn't get to be there since I had to work today, but Brent took a few pics for me so I could see what everyone looked like.

Pumpkin Carving

Gracie and Ella both picked pumpkins from the grocery store this year since it never worked out to go to a patch. (You can't imagine how badly that bothers me!) Anyway, Ella was very intrigued by the carving process. Unfortunately, she tried to move the pumpkin from her bench and cracked his face as he hit the ground, but we lit him anyway.

She kept getting as close as possible and looking in his shining eyes.

Gracie was equally excited about the pumpkin which she named Ariel.

Both girls could have watched Ariel burn for a long time. It's the little things that bring so much amusement!