Joel really wanted to tell you all...

but unfortunately, he's hyperventilating on the couch next to me. So I'll do the honors.

We, The Wichita Photobooth Company, get to attend a benefit called "Big Wish Kansas" put on by Cubs players! We get to actually meet Koyie Hill,

Ryan Dempster,

and Ryan Theriot!

So, to say that Joel is excited is the understatement of the century.

If you'd like to meet them, too, you can! The link above has information for how to get there.

December 5th, Hartman Arena.

Okay, gotta go. I think Joel's coming back...

Happy Halloween!

From Farmer Ollie...

And Pink Ladybug Lily.
This morning the biker chick and dude went cruising around the driveway. Thankfully, this weather has been perfect for playing outside today!

Carving Pumpkins

Ollie helped me carve two pumpkins this year--he really didn't care to reach inside and clean out the pulp, but loved to stir the seeds around in a bowl!

Chief of the Valley

Believe it or not, that's what my name means. My parents didn't name me 'Kendall' because it meant that...that was just a bonus.
However, I soon grew into the name. WHEN I WAS YOUNG, I tended to be a bit loud, bossy, and pretty much tried to run the place.

Fast forward to 9 months ago: Lily was born this quiet, happy little girl. Sweet (a bit loud when she cried) but oh-so-lovable.
This summer, we started noticing a bit of 'personality'...happy one moment, screaming bloody murder the next. Or this ornery look in her eyes. Or her growl that she has learned.
She has made other children (including her poor, sweet cousin) cry by growling at them.

She waves her arms and yells often.

She gets around WHEREVER she wants to go...and FAST.
As is normal for this age, we've had to start slapping her hand when she goes where she's not supposed to (like the sweet potato bucket above). Unfortunately, she's a tough cookie. That hasn't seemed to work yet.

We're realizing that she is our Chief of the Valley. This sweet, petite, smiley girl definitely has some spunk. (And look out, Ollie!)

Creativity

We've had an unusually cool fall here in Kansas. Our fall started in August, and as soon as October hit--we had winter weather! So, instead of playing outside and going for walks, we are INSIDE trying to find fun things to keep us busy.

Ollie has been very creative with his playing--here are some fun things he thought up today:

Indoor Basketball
He set the laundry basket on the washer and then started shooting.

Score!!!

Making Fire (Daddy's boy)
Wood....check.

Crumpled paper......check.

Lighter......check.

Fire!

(the only tough part is keeping Lily away...)

Puppets
He decided he was into puppets yesterday--so we decided to have a puppet show with our sock puppets!

So you see, we're keeping busy...but I'm SO ready for the sun again!!!

Reading

This is Ollie's story about fighting fires.




Yes, he said 'dolphins'.

Dressing Himself

Ollie's newest 'hobby' is dressing himself. I'm SUPER glad he can do this now, as it saves time for me each morning. The laundry, however, is beginning to pile up. He can go through 5 outfits easily.
By 9am.
If we let him!

On this particular evening, he was trying on Lily's socks and leggings.
He also loves his new fireman hat from our neighbor, Kristi. He plays with that ALL day long--in this picture, he is on his 'firetruck' as a fireman.
...or the hat doubles as his 'railerman' costume. (our local highschool mascot)
Complete with gloves, hat, and boots!