Carving Time!

Tonight we carved our very first pumpkin as a family! Our activity was initially inspired by Grandma Allen and an upcoming class she will be teaching. I'm glas we had that little shove because we have had so much fun! It all started out by letting Tori pick out a pumpkin. She picked a cute little one that was perfect! Before we started, we thought we would see what Tori would do with the pumpkin. Basically, she just wanted to eat it!

She really wasn't sure what to think when Jared started to cut into our pumpkin. Slowly she got closer and closer and eventually even tried scooping some guts out!

She did such a great job finishing up the inside - check out her concentration!

From this point on, Tori was involved in every step. She helped me draw the face on 0ur pumpkin!

And she was right there helping Jared carve out the face as well!

Luckily, she was content with using the pen!!!

Yeah for our first pumpkin- he turned out so cute (or scary!)

And according to Tori - still tastes great!!!

Photo Shoot

We have an extremely talented photographer in our ward. Last year she took some amazing pictures of our young women, and she volunteered to do the same this year. Which is what our activity was this evening. Since we were meeting at Friendship Gardens, I figured I would take a few pictures of Tori myself while we were waiting for the young women to have their pictures taken. I did get a few fun ones!
Tori loved being at the park and running all over the place. I loved it because there were no rocks for her to eat - at least not that she found!

She had so much fun on this bench!

I think she was trying to figure out how to get down!

Then Charley came over to take a few pictures and basically, her pictures totally blew mine out of the water. They are absolutely breathtaking!

I don't think she quite knew what to think about being up in a tree!

I love the look Charley captured in this one!

There's our big girl!

I think she was trying to eat some leaves!

I love this one - especially her fly-away hair!!!

Hurrah for amazing pictures of our beautiful girl!

Charley, you are the best!!! If you live anywhere near Plainfield, I would highly recommend her. Here is her website: http://www.photochyck.com/ - check it out, she is awesome!

Funny Faces

I love that Tori is almost always happy! This morning Tori woke up, not only happy, but in a very silly mood as well! We had a great time eating breakfast, especially when Tori started making funny faces!!!

I think she was trying to look around the camera to see me in this one!

Not exactly sure what this one is, but it makes me smile!

I love it when she crinkles her nose up like this!!!

Yeah for a happy girl and a great start to our Monday!!!

New Shoes & Other Fun Stuff

Tori has recently gone through a growth spurt - or maybe she is in the middle of one. All of the sudden, things that have fit forever are getting too short or too small. While it is a little sad to pack away some of my favorite outfits, it is also really fun to get her new favorites to wear! Today, Tori was able to wear her new church shoes for the first time! She looked so cute that of course I wanted some pictures. Getting pictures lately has become quite a challenge - Tori never holds still. But this morning, it almost seemed as if Tori was posing for her pictures! Maybe it's because today was her 14th month birthday!!!

I think Tori loves her new shoes as much as Jared and I do!

Another super cute pose!

Yep, Puppy came to church with us today - but she had to stay in the car!

Along with new shoes, Tori got her very first pair of real jeans! Oh boy, these make her look way too grown up. This afternoon, Tori was having such a great time playing and trying out new things - here are some fun pictures of our day!

This if the first time she has ever tried to climb onto her pusher toy. She has great balance!!!

Just chillin' with all of her toys!!!

I love Sundays for numerous reasons- being able to go to church is right at the top. My second reason has to be that we get to spend time as a family with no other distractions - I love it!!!

Patrons of Pike

This week we added a few new Pike events to our growing list. Yesterday we were able to attend a JV volleyball game to support a few girls in Jared's classes. This was Tori's first volleyball game and she loved watching the ball go back and forth - I think it is her favorite word to say lately! It was a great Family Home Evening activity for us!

I think that Tori wished she could have the ball to play with!

Jared was filling Tori in on the finer points of the game!

Tonight we were able to attend the first choir concert of the school year. I have no idea how many students Jared has in the various choirs - a whole bunch. The choirs were really good and Tori loved all of the music. I was super impressed and so glad that we made the time to attend! I'm also glad that Tori and I can be involved in at least a small part of Jared's Pike life - it is really fun!!!

Tori loves the hallways at the school - plenty of room to run or push her stroller around!

Here we are anxiously awaiting the start of the concert. Tori loves being with her Daddy...

and with her Mommy too!!!

Way to go Pike, we love coming to support you!

Grandmama, Grandmama, I love my Grandmama!!!

There is just something magical about Grandmas! I remember how special I felt when I was with my Grandmas, and I love watching Tori have those same experiences with her three Grandmas. I think that the following pictures help to explain this a little further - Tori loved, loved, loved having her Grandma Allen here!!!

I don't think there is anyone better to read a book with than Grandma!!!

Fast friends and playmates right from the start!

And not to leave Grandpas out - Grandpa Allen sent some awesome "Grandpa Gifts" for Tori - she is going to look absolutely adorable in all of them!!!

Tori had so much fun showing all of her toys to Grandma!

Tori also shared her Baby Einstein movies with Grandma- and for some reason she thought it would be great to watch while in the drawer!

Yep, nothing better than reading with Grandma!

Grandpa did an awesome job picking out these monster pjs - so cute!

These two read many books together throughout the week!

Since Tori started walking, she has cut way back on her cuddle time. So, it just melted my heart when I walked out of our room this morning to find Tori cuddling with her Grandma! This is by far my favorite picture of these two - it just shows how close they are and I love it!!!

Thanks for another fantastic visit Grandma - we miss you already and can't wait for the next one!!!

Tori's Camp Camby

As I was looking through my pictures of our Camp Camby weekend, I realized that Tori had a very different experience than anyone else involved. Not to worry, she still had a fabulous time; she just participated in a few extra activities, and had a couple firsts, along the way!!!

Tori loved finding new ways to play with her toys!

There was an awesome playground just outside our building that was the perfect size for Tori! She loved going down the slide- this was one of her firsts!

And she loved riding along the track on this car!

Probably the best first for Tori was eating popcorn! We weren't sure if she would like it, which ended up being a silly thing to worry about. Tori downed the entire cup and started to cry when it was all gone.Jared took her out in the hall to get more. When there wasn't anymore, we heard more crying from the hall. Jared quickly made another batch and the crisis was avoided. But, every time I would set her down after this, she would run out into the hall to the popcorn machine and wait for me (or really anyone) to get her some more!

Tori, as usual, was the belle of the ball. I think everyone there knew who she was - and she loved all the attention! One of her new friends Stephanie even rocked her to sleep one night!!!

The ramp was a big hit!

Tori and Puppy both had a fantastic time!!!

Sisterhood of Scrappers

Jared's Mom was able to come visit us this week - don't worry, there will be much more on that soon! With her coming, that also meant it was time for the Camp Camby scrapbook event. Last time, we were only at Camp Camby for the times when Mom was teaching her classes. This time we decided to sign up and enjoy the entire Camp Camby experience - and it was awesome! Imagine over 100 ladies, each with their own table, accompanied by all their scrapbook equipment, and 4 days to do nothing but scrapbook - it was definitely a glorious site!

Now, I am not a very good scrapbooker- very much in the learning process still. Since this was really my first big scrapbook event, there was something very unique that I noticed about my fellow scrapbookers - they are really one big sisterhood! Everyone was so willing to share supplies, ideas, lots of laughs! I have noticed this same kind of bond with Mom's scrapbook ladies in Texas as well. I'm not sure what the catalyst is, but there is something about scrapbooking together that brings you really close really fast. There is no secret to get into the club, you just have to show up and enjoy the wonderful ladies all around you! For a beginner, I very much appreciated feeling so included and even loved for being there!

Here are some pictures from our fun weekend of scrapbooking (I only wish I had taken a bunch more)!!!

This is most of the group of attendees!

Julie was across the table from us. I am so glad we got to know her, she is so much fun!!!

Tori even got into the scrapbooking a bit!

Since we were all staying up so late, there were occasionally a few naps during the day. Our fearless leaders were no exception!

Suzie went around bestowing "many blessings" on everyone - even Tori!

Yeah for Camp Camby, we had a great time and can't wait until March!!!