Gifts

Katie was happy when we got back to our house, and she had all sorts of gifts from England. Who wouldn't like that?

I loved my gifts, but... 

…I loved having everyone home even better!

A Favorite Spot

When we dropped my mom off at her house, Katie found one of her favorite places - my parent's little window by their front door. Katie loves to stand there and watch the neighborhood happenings.

This is the best spot to watch all of the neighbors!

Waiting for the Arrival

Katie was so excited when the time came to pick up my mom and sister from the airport. It was a day later than we had expected, and Katie had to use all of her patience to wait. While we waited for the plane to land, Katie couldn't just sit. She had to pose and twirl. Who would want to just sit?

Will... 

…they... 

…be... 

…here...

…soon?

Collecting Autumn Leaves

Katie loves to collect different colored autumn leaves. In her head, the leaves all have different powers. As she collects each leaf, she narrates the story of the leaf and its powers. Then she saves them all at home.

I was telling my mom the story of the leaf who had sun powers!

Last Day at Garyldine's House

The last day at Garyldine's house before my mom and sister returned from England included a lot of time with the dogs - Katie's favorite thing!

Philomena is such a calm dog! I just love her! 

I got to ride in a wagon with Philomena as Charlie walked next to us! 

Bye, Philomena! I loved spending time with all of you!

Fun in the Mail

While Katie was waiting for Halloween, getting mail made the wait easier!

I got a Halloween card from Grammy Noreen and Grandpa Joe! 

Then I got princess stickers from Aunt Debby! Thank you!

Happy Halloween, 2015!

We had a soaking wet Halloween this year. Katie had plans to go trick-or-treating with my mom, Garyldine, and Aunt Jody. When the weather wasn't letting up, Garyldine and I decided it might be safer to take Katie out to the mall for trick-or-treating. The mall's celebration began at 4:00, so Garyldine and Aunt Jody came to pick up Katie and my mom. We went out to meet them to find that our road was completely flooded. The water wasn't just covering the road and sidewalks, it was covering a good portion of driveways.

Jennifer saw Garyldine's car turn on our road, and she stopped her at the end of the road. I picked up Katie, and Jennifer led us over our neighbors' driveways and through their yards and through the rushing rivers in between the houses, and we finally made it to the car. The trick-or-treaters headed to the very busy mall and worked their way from store to store.

After they left the mall, the rain had let up some, so they went to Garyldine's friends' house and to a few other houses before making their way back. Katie had a very good time, and it will probably be a Halloween to remember.

One of my favorite moments this season…Katie and I were talking the night before Halloween. She knew she was going out trick-or-treating while I passed out candy to the kids who came to our house. We had a mixed bag of candy to hand out that included Kit Kats. Katie said, "When you hand out candy, don't hand out Kit Kats, okay? They're my favorite!" I told her I'd save some Kit Kats for her. Then she thought a little bit more and said, "Well, all of that candy is pretty good. Why don't you just give the kids a trick instead. You can tell them all a joke. They'd like that!" I thought it was a very clever way of trying to keep all of the candy that she would never eat anyway. As it turns out, we still have all of the candy since no one could get down our road anyway!

I was ready to go trick-or-treating early in the day! 

 I decided to dress as Rapunzel on her wedding day!

I loved her dress in Tangled Ever After!

When I went to go trick-or-treating, I was trapped and we had to try to get down the road without getting too wet! I stayed dry since my mom carried me. Everyone else was wet.

After trick-or-treating at the mall, we went out for the real deal! 

Trick-or-treat! 

Our first stop was at Jason and Nadia's house. I got to play with Ella and see her baby brother! 

My former music teacher was there too. As soon as I saw her, I had to give her a hug! 

I was so happy to see her! 

I got to see Ella's bedroom, and... 

…I got to play in her kitchen. 

She even let me play with her remote control Palace Pet. 

Afterwards, I got to visit my neighbor with her two friendly, really big poodles! He even let me pet them. 

After a few more houses, we made our way back home.

Happy Halloween!