Halloween Festivities

Happy Fall Y'all!
I'll be the first to admit we overdid it on celebrating for Halloween this year.

It started with Boo at the Zoo...
We met up with Leah and Carson for a fun trick-or-treating playdate at the zoo.
The boys were able to go to different stations around the zoo and even had a trick-or-treating table line for garnering sweet treats.
I had to get a photo of these Nutcracker ballerinas manning the Birmingham Ballet booth.
I know it's silly, but I was almost giddy when Dakota Kate was so happy being held by this sweet dancer. I'm so excited for when she's old enough to take ballet classes, even if it's years down the road!

And then while the boys and Mrs Leah rode the Choo-Choo around the zoo, Dakota Kate and I chilled for a bit with the strollers and gear.
And then we all were able to do the hayride together.

We even ended the evening with a very late night dinner...at Davenport's.

But we had to have our entire family celebrate the Fall, so we made a trip out to the Old Baker Farm.Mason loved the Cotton Jump!
Sorry Scott, I uploaded the pic of him mid-wink.
We were able to go out into the fields to pick out our very own pumpkins. Mason absolutely adores the word PUMPKIN now.
We had a fun ride and it was nice to be able to go with our whole family.
What a beautiful day!
And then we've also been "BOO"ed for the first time. I have a hunch it was our sweet neighbors down the street-what a nice surprise we had!
Then we went to the Hoover Fall Festival and this was the first time for the kids to dress in their costumes.

Dakota Kate was Princess Leia
And Mason was Luke Skywalker...or really a Jedi Knight {since we didn't have a blonde hair piece for him}
And then Halloween weekend we had our Church's Fall Festival!
photo courtesy of Kim Brantley {HERE for the album} and {HERE for her FB page}photo courtesy of Kim Brantley {HERE for the album} and {HERE for her FB page}photo courtesy of Kim Brantley {HERE for the album} and {HERE for her FB page}photo courtesy of Kim Brantley {HERE for the album} and {HERE for her FB page}photo courtesy of Kim Brantley {HERE for the album} and {HERE for her FB page}

Mason was ecstatic to hang with his best bud Carson {seriously, look at the look of excitement in his face! I think Carson was excited about his candy!}

On Halloween Day, Laura & Blair met us at the Mall for a lunch at Chick-fil-A and then a carousel ride...in costume.

Mason was scared to death of the Chick-fil-A cow. Frightening!

But he loved the carousel and Dakota Kate enjoyed trying to pull Mason's hood during the ride, so all was well.

Halloween Night this was just before Trick-or-Treating in our neighborhood. Mason had a blast going up to the door and knocking or ringing the doorbells. I think he liked that part more than receiving the candy. I'm still not sure he understood that the candy was an edible treat. I'm not teaching him anything he doesn't have to know!

Phewww! Is that it? I think so. It was a whirlwind of Halloween-ing, but it sure was fun!

3-Months Old

At 3-months, Dakota Kate...

...is a Daddy's Girl now! Dakota Kate does fairly well with about half the people that hold her, but more importantly she's connected and very at ease with her Daddy. Thank goodness! I'm sure he's relieved and feels happier about it too.

...still enjoys Tummy Time and actually does well sitting up inside the Boppy Pillow. Though when I try to sit her up, she often straightens her legs out to stand. It tickles me that she's trying to "run before she can walk." But she has great head control, can sit steadily with assistance {in a chair, Boppy pillow, or a lap}, and can sit up unassisted for 10-15 seconds.

...rolls over both ways easily. She's mobile!

Between her 2nd and 3rd month, Dakota Kate also:

*Attended her first party {Mary Ella's 3rd birthday!} It was puppy-themed and an adorable affair!

*Visited Maw again. We can't get enough of sweet Maw's hugs!

*Rocked it out at her first concert- Roger Day playing at the library!

*Celebrated her Great-Grandma's 90th Birthday from afar {they were in Dallas}

Also, we're still baby wearing; although she's much too large for a sling no matter what carry I try. But I hold her anyway, so we're literally attached at the hip 90% of the day!

Happy 3 Months Dakota Kate!

Put Me In the ZOO!

We had a get-together at the Zoo with some of our toddler friends and it was a great time for Mason and I to have a Mommy-Son Date while Daddy watched Dakota Kate at home.

This was only our 2nd trip to the Zoo but I was happy to see the renovations and newly constructed area surrounding the Africa exhibit.
I think Mason would have preferred to be able to run around the place, but I strapped him in for good measure.

He did enjoy getting down around the petting area, but it was too bad the kangaroo pen wasn't open for lounging with the marsupials.

We had a great time though and we're so blessed to have friends. Mason thrives on social situations and it's a treat for him to get out of the house too {and not be stuck in a house with Mommy and the Baby all day!}.