My Helper

One afternoon, I finally gave in to Laine's request to open the fridge. Turns out, she's a VERY big helper. First, she pulled out all of the condiments. Then, she checked all the expiration dates. She did a little rearranging, putting things back where SHE thought they should go.

This is her current obsession. Boy, did I start something. The good thing is, I can actually get something done while I'm in the kitchen! Between her fridge explorations and the Fridge Farm toy Cami and Courtney gave us for Laine's birthday, she will stay entertained while I do the dishes or clean up the kitchen. She cries when I shut the fridge door and tell her it's time to eat. I can only imagine the energy we're using by leaving the door open for such lengths of time.

No matter, however--that sweet face smiling up at me, looking for approval as she hands me the mustard/parmesan/salad dressing/soy sauce/maraschino cherries--the fridge door is open whenever asked.

The Future Mrs. Vona

Newly engaged Leslie came out for a visit the day of the first snowfall. She made the daring drive up the Plateau and it even snowed for a while during her visit. We are so happy for Leslie and Charles--he is marrying an intelligent, funny, amazing woman and is one lucky guy!

More snow fell after Leslie left, and we went outside to take some photos. Laine was amazed at the white on the ground. She gazed at it in disbelief and immediately wanted me to put her down to walk in it and touch it.

"Guys? What happened to our yard?"

"Well, if I can pick it up..."

"...then it must be edible!"

PEP PEP HOORAY!

The PEPS babies are all turning one! At the last get together, we got a photo of the babies that were there. It's amazing to think that a year ago, they were all lumps laying on our laps. Now, their personalities are emerging and they are interacting!

Rylan, Laine, Zachary and Nate (who was NOT having it!)

Laine giving Zachary hugs.

Getting a little aggressive with the hugs...I've got to teach her to play hard to get.

Everybody's Retired

Grandma Buechler is retired! Now all of Laine's grandparents are officially retired. We attended a very nice party that US Bank put on for her at the Washington Athletic Club. Laine enjoyed walking around and showing off her purse to everyone. I'd like to think she was the star of the evening, but I think that award has to go to Grandma. It was a lovely event...and a late bedtime for our peanut.

Current trick: "Laine, where is Mommy's nose?"

Arizona, Here We Come!

In early November, we packed up our bags and took Laine on her first plane trip to see the new snowbirds, her Grandma and Grandpa Good. They had just three weeks to get settled before we descended upon them--with an official toddler! The plane ride down was a little rough for Laine--we bought her a seat and strapped her into her carseat, and she was none too happy about it. It didn't help that the plane was over a half an hour late leaving Seattle.

"Don't forget me, or Mommy's birthday gift!"

We got there in one piece, however, and were ready for the sun! Grandma and Grandpa had gotten the house together quickly and things were looking good. Laine was excited to see them, and they were amazed at how she could walk with no assistance.

In front of Grandma and Grandpa's new house...

just kidding, this is the clubhouse!

Jayson even got in a round of golf at the course in my parent's community. He had a great time and got to see a part the "neighborhood" that we didn't get to see. He thought that seventy-five degrees and golf was a much better way to spend the day than at his desk in cloudy Seattle.

Laine loved the fountain in Grandma and Grandpa's courtyard.

We also got the opportunity to enjoy a little fall ball! The players are all of the major league prospects--we watched a game with the Saguaros vs. the Scorpions. We didn't last the whole game, but Laine sure enjoyed walking up and down the steps (with assistance) and around the complex. We got a kick out of the fact that in Peoria, Seniors paid admission and got a friend in for free; a little different than usual!

Laine loved picking up rocks in the courtyard
and just walked around holding them.

One afternoon, we went on a short road trip to Carefree, where we made a pitstop at a property of Jayson's bank for a quick site inspection. We had lunch in town and enjoyed a pretty drive.

Ready to run!

The trip home went much smoother than the way there. Instead of facing backwards (I thought it would be easier to get at her,) we faced Laine forward as we had just started doing in the car. She didn't reach for me quite as much, slept for 45 minutes instead of 15, and spent much more time crawling around in our laps. She munched on ice chips, played with all her toys and exhausted our ideas--playing with an empty babyfood container, the unopened snack wrapper from the flight attendant, and opening and closing the window shade. She LOVED takeoff (that was the 15 minutes she slept the first time). I'll never forget the huge smile on her face, and I think if she could talk she would have been saying, "Faster! Faster!" To sum up the trip, let's just say we can't wait to come back in March!

Trick Or Treat

Our little kitty-cat

"C'mon Mommy!"

On Halloween, we did just a little bit of trick or treating. Five neighbors was enough--and then we went home to welcome the costumed kiddos at our door.

Carving Pumpkins

We were excited to carve a BIG pumpkin at our house...although Laine actually found the shiny candy wrappers more interesting.

Take note of the pumpkin's teeth. We modeled them after what Laine currently has in her mouth!

Grandma and Auntie had a pumpkin ready for carving at their house too! Laine came dressed in costume--meow!

On one side we carved a jack-o-lantern face, and on the other was LAINE 2010. I didn't get a shot of the completed pumpkin!

Grandma really didn't like the pumpkin guts, and Laine wasn't so sure either!