Fun.

We are having so much fun these days.

Fall is a flurry of activity, but we are taking a few moments to slow down and enjoy where we have been, where we are, and where we are heading.

We celebrated my birthday this past weekend with a very nice evening out for Kyle and myself. Miss Olive enjoyed some grandparent time while we were out galavanting. After a wonderful dinner, we tried a new wine bar/coffee shop near our home. On Saturday, we spent time in Conroe, and we did a few chores on Sunday before heading out to dinner with my Dad. I also squeezed in a Sunday brunch with some of my law school girlfriends. It was wonderful to catch up and laugh with them.

Olive is full of smiles and laughter. She is walking more and more confidently around our house and is starting to leave one of us in search of the other. It is amazing to look up from typing madly on the computer to find her little face heading your way. She still loves her binky, and sometimes will use the baby sign for 'food' to communicate that she wants her 'binky.'

The weather is lovely (if not overly 'fall-ish'). Our neighborhood is great for evening walks, and we have started taking Olive for a stroll a few times a week. I know one day soon she will insist upon walking with us, but for now it is a very enjoyable way to wind down after busy days apart and discuss our days' activities.

We are also starting to discuss Christmas decorations for the new homestead. Apparently, our neighborhood is a tad Griswold-inclined. We want to participate in the gaity without giving ourselves over to the gaudy. We are hopeful that such a balance is indeed achievable.

Pumpkin Picking (or Pickin').

Last weekend we took Olive to a local pumpkin patch.

Now, if you are thinking of a big field where someone planted a bunch of pumpkins and you get to literally pick your own pumpkin from the plant, you are wrong.

This patch is neatly arranged on the front lawn of a large church in town. They've been doing it for a long time. As long as I can remember, or maybe just as long as I've been paying attention, but they definitely hosted the patch before I up and left for St. Louis.

We arrived at the patch on Saturday around 1030a. There were very few pumpkins - less than 1/4 of the space allotted was full of pumpkins. I was shocked at the run on pumpkins the patch must have experienced.

But, when we got out of the car, we were assured that the pumpkin truck was on its way. It had been lost, but had been righted. Now, if you are thinking of a cute, old pick-up truck with wood slat walls to its bed and pumpkins stacked to overflowing, you are wrong.

We played with Olive among the pumpkins for about 10 minutes, when the volunteers started to shuffle and gather. The pumpkin truck was here!! Around the corner, turned an 18-wheeler loaded to the gills with pumpkins of all varieties. We watched the volunteers unload pumpkins and gourds (or is it, gourds, including pumpkins?) until Olive was bored with the pumpkin procession.

Then, we purchased our chosen pumpkins and headed on about our way.

Not So Much Fun.

So, our closet guys discovered a plumbing issue.

Great news! We finished your closet.

Not so great news! Your bathroom has an issue.

Long distance plumbing issues are not fun. We *think* that all of the appropriate contractors are now in place and will shortly begin their work. There was no question that we needed to get this issue resolved (and some new tile put in, I kid you not), but it sure would have been nice if that pipe hadn't sprung a leak just then.

Although, I'm sure there were and would be less convenient times for such an issue. I can't think of any right now.

Long Distance Construction.

We needed some help with a closet in one room of our house on Gibson. And by help, I mean that we needed a closet where we had removed one, because (as it turns out) closets come in darn handy.

Our realtor mentioned this morning that he might know someone who could help with our closet situation.

Can I tell you. There is now a closet where before there was none. Fewer than twelve hours. (Fewer than eight hours!!) Between asking Dean for a recommendation, getting a quote and having a closet.

I know enough to know that things don't often work out that way. We are counting our blessings today that they did!

Our Trip to the Beach.

So, Kyle and Olive came to Galveston this weekend to spend some beach time together after my conference wrapped up this weekend.

We took Olive to the beach and dipped our toes in the water.



The sun was warm, but the breeze was cool. Lovely! Olive was not pleased when it became time to head other places.

We found a late lunch of cajun seafood. Tasty and spicy!

After lunch, we popped Olive in the car and headed to another part of the island to watch boats. When we arrived at our destination, she was fast asleep! We pointed the car north and counted Olive's *brief* first trip to the shore a success.

Now, Galveston is not the prettiest beach on the planet. But, the waves came rushing to the shore, and the beach was clean. The combination of warm sun and cool breezes is a favorite of mine. It brings back fond memories of trips to the coast with my sorority sisters in late September/early October. In many ways, it is the perfect time in Texas to visit the beach.

Fun Times.

Last week, Kyle was in both St. Louis and Denver. I was in Galveston, which was productive and enjoyable, but not nearly as exciting!

We recently took some leisure time over breakfast and play-time to take a few photos of our quickly growing girl.

Now, breakfast is serious stuff, so smiles were few.



Playtime is a whole other story. Olive discovered that she can fit into the storage cabinets in her room. She had a great time hiding from us and then quickly opening the doors to reveal her hiding place. Over and over and over again. Fun times.



I did convince Kyle that it would be ok to put up a few Halloween decorations. Before too long, I'll drag out the tripod and take a few photos as evidence. I think they are tasteful but also appropriately thematic.

That's it for now!

Ah, Steak.

So. Our new grill arrived this past Friday. Kyle fired it up and cooked dinner for us this evening. It was tasty!

Snaps.

Olive's room.





Olive's bathroom.