Cookies, knitting, frogs, and more...

Anabelle has been helping me bake lately.  We've made cookies a few times (which she of course can't get enough of), biscuits, and she even helped me make bread the other night.  She gets to dump in the ingredients and help stir things up.  Kneading the dough also proved to be a lot of fun for her.  I've had a great time doing this with her.  We make a great team (although quite a messy one!!)

 Of course, I could hardly get her to stop eating it...

On another note, I learned to knit.  I needed a crafty, creative activity, so ere-go, my knitting hobby was born.  I really never thought I would be interested in learning, but I guess I was wrong.  This has been a relatively quick activity to learn, with low start-up cost (like $5).  My first project: an ear warmer headband for when I go running.  Since it has started getting cold, I don't want to completely forfeit running outside.  But I HATE when my ears get cold.  It hurts like crazy and takes forever for the feeling to go away when I get done.  I made the headband way too long, so I just sewed the seam where it fit best and twisted the extra into a flower.  I think it turned out okay, eh?

Anabelle was a frog for Halloween, and she loved her costume.  Her frog sounds are adorable, for those of you who have had the pleasure to hear them.  We went to a couple of community Halloween events, and then to our ward's trunk-or-treat last night.  It was fun getting her dressed up again this year, but I think next year (when I have my sewing machine handy), I will make her costume.

 Checking out the chickens

And a few more photos, for good measure:

Helping Mama clean out the pumpkin.

 This is her new favorite hat.  Anabelle always seems to have a favorite hat, which she wears ALL the time.  Little cutie, always making faces

 Mike, carving out his pumpkin.  You can see Anabelle's that she colored, on the table.

 I think this headband is absolutely adorable on her, when she will keep it on her head!

Visit from Nana and Papa

I must warn you, this post has a ton of pics.  I just didn't want to leave anything out.  This is why I have postponed it for so long...I knew it would take a while to blog about.  Nonetheless, here you go :)

My parents came out to visit us for about a week. We had a great time and kept pretty busy.  Anabelle misses having them around and seemed a bit confused as she awoke to an empty house the next morning.  (Even more empty than usual, as Mike went out of town at the end of their visit for his Navy VIP tour in Jacksonville, FL).  They brought her a gift, her favorite book "There's a wocket in my pocket", by Dr. Seuss, and an awesome stuffed Dr. Seuss creature, whom she calls "Wocket".

 Us getting ready to go out to celebrate Mike's 26th birthday (man, he's getting old)  :)

 Have I ever mentioned how much Anabelle LOVES stuffed animals?

 Annie with her Papa

 Trying to fit the entire delicious burger in my mouth.  Don't worry, I didn't eat the entire burger looking like a starving monster.

 She really likes ketchup with her fries

 Pretty pretty colors

 Anabelle really loved playing in the leaves

 This is among the many wonderful photos my mom took of the beautiful foliage

We stopped by the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. on our way up through Vermont and New Hampshire chasing the changing foliage.

 This enormous shoe, equipped with gum stuck to the bottom, stood outside

 Self-explanatory

 Enjoying the long car rides ;)

 The little orchard in Mass. we stopped at. They had a pumpkin patch, goats to feed, and some yummy ice cream

 She kept trying to lift these pumpkins, and even succeeded a few times

 These tall stalks are the weeds growing in the pumpkin patch.

 Check out this caterpillar, the fuzziest one I've ever seen.  Annie just went and picked it right up, no fear at all.  I, on the other hand, was much more hesitant.

 Lots and lots and lots of pumpkins

.We took my parents to NYC for 2 days.  This is a photo in time square.

 and another

 Playing on a playground in Central Park

 The Guggenheim museum

 Lady Liberty was so beautiful (and soooo big)!

Anabelle was very tired.  Here I am copying her grumpiness

 All of us with the city in the background.  Taken from Liberty island.

 Ellis island

Thanks Mom and Dad for such a great visit!!