Happy Halloween!!!

Little mouse, aka Emma, had a fantastic time trick or treating, and hanging with her pals this Halloween. She was a little hesitant knocking on the neighbors doors at first, but after we met up with a couple of the neighbor boys, she went up to the doors sans the parents! Then, to top off the evening, Emma got to hang with her two best pals, Cash and Elias. Couldn't ask for a better night!

Jumping Salmon

On our way back from Hood River on Saturday, Emma needed to stop for a bathroom break, so we decided to stop at the Fish Hatchery in the Gorge. We had not checked this out before, but I have to say there is something very soothing about watching salmon jump out of the water. I think I could have sat there all day. Here is a brief little clip of the jumping.

Apple picking 2011

We had a beautiful day apple picking in Hood River this year. It was a warm, clear day, and we had magnificent views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams! Emma obliged me by holding up this huge apple next to her head, similar to a picture we took when she was a baby. Happy to see that her head is now bigger (although not by much) than the apple!

Minneapolis fun!

Emma (and me too) had a great time meeting baby Reese. Emma had so much fun playing with Isabel, and LOVED getting to hold Reese too. Congratulations to Stacy and Tom on their new addition!

Techy girls

Isabel and Emma are showcasing how kids start to know more about technology than their parents...they start young!

Family

Grandpa and Grandma drove us up to visit Emma's new cousin (and their first grandSON), baby Reese. Emma had lots of fun visiting Isabel and Reese at their house.

Harvesting

Well, Grandpa Thier and Uncle Nathan were actually a little too quick with the harvesting process this year, but we did get a chance to ride in the tractor and dig some ground. Grandpa and Uncle Nathan showed us how the GPS, and auto-steering in the tractor works. This basically means the tractor pretty much drives itself, and you get to relax and take in the peaceful views of the farmland.

Baking with Grandma!

Grandma and Emma made some delicious cookies together. Emma assumed her usual role of ingredient dumper, and taste tester--a role she is mastering quite nicely.

Grandpa's funny farm

No, this wasn't Emma's Grandpa's funny farm, but it was a fun farm to go play at. They had lots of things to do, and lots of animals to see. We got the full effect of all the wind get in SW Minnesota too--it was a chilly day!

Fall Fun!!!

Emma had loads of fun playing in the leaves with her cousins, Haley and Chloe. They even helped Grandma clean the leaves off the back porch. Such helpful young ladies!

Icecream lipstick

Emma is learning the ropes of how to apply just the right amount of ice cream lipstick from her big cousin Haley.

Packing up

Emma was ready to go visit Grandma and Grandpa and her cousins. She tried packing herself into the suitcase (and successfully fit into it), but I convinced her it would be more comfortable to ride in a seat.