Country Girl

Yesterday Brad had the day off for Veteran's Day, and Papa seemed to be doing okay, so we decided to take Mary Ella out to the farm in Madison County. It is Brad's aunt and uncle's place where he loves to hunt. We used to go fishing and hiking and swimming in the creeks out there too. It is beautiful, and it was a gorgeous day to be outside! Don't know that we will have too many more warm days up here. ME loved riding around on the mule and seeing the cows and horses.

Beautiful countryside

She "moo"ed at the cows!

Riding the horsie on the porch

Sitting in Carson's new buggy

Watching the creek go by

The way ME loves being outside, she might just be a country girl!

Big Cedar

This weekend we stayed in Branson at Big Cedar Lodge with the Marvins and did some serious Christmas shopping. We love Big Cedar, and it was all decked out for Christmas, so we couldn't help but get in the mood. It was kind of strange that they still had fall decorations out too, but we decided to get one last round of pumpkin pics.

Aren't these the cutest little Hog fans you have ever seen?

I heart this picture!

Marvin family pic

Twinkies!

The kids were so good while we shopped. They lasted until after lunch, and then the daddies took them back to Big Cedar. Julie and I literally shopped til we dropped...just in time for the Hog game! We ordered pizza and enjoyed a HUGE win over South Carolina!

The merry-go-round was broken, but Daddy made it go!

Sunday we were at it again at The Landing. We had a yummy lunch at Cantino Laredo, and shopped into the afternoon. Mary Ella loved watching the fire and water show at the fountains!

We hadn't even made it out of Branson before the little ones crashed! ME was pooped! Monday we had a lazy pj day at home with Papa, and she took a 5 hour nap!!! His surgery was today, and the doctor said it went well. I think he will get to come home tomorrow, and hopefully he is on the way to a speedy recovery!

Wicked

Friday night Julie and Hannah came down to Little Rock to see Wicked. My mom came to stay with Mary Ella because Brad was in Jackson. We started the night with a yummy dinner at Ya Ya's. The show was so good! I had no idea what to expect, but it had a little bit of everything: great set, actors, costumes, music, and it was funny! We had a great time and finished our girl time with Holiday House Friday morning. Yes, it's time to kick off the Christmas shopping!

Rocked

Is it bad that this makes me laugh? Like as it was happening? She's okay, by the way!

Rub a dub dub

This morning I let Mary Ella go with her cereal. She did pretty well, but got a little frustrated. And a little messy, but she needed a bath anyway. I decided to throw in some bubble bath, and she was being so silly I had to grab my camera.

Shots

Today was Mary Ella's 15 month check-up. She had to get 3 shots, and this time she knew they were coming. I guess because we have been there recently for 2 flu shots. She was a little jumpy through the whole exam, and when the nurse came in she saw the needles and started crying. Oh, it was sad! She cried for a while after she got them too! Other than that, she is doing great, and I was glad to hear that her ears are all cleared up. I was reading the 15 month sheet the doctor gave me, and it said she should know 3-5 words and be able to point to 3 body parts. Well, our little smarty pants knows 18 words and can point to most of her body parts. Yay! Things we need to work on: using a spoon and scribbling. Two things I haven't let her try because they're, well, messy. So, it's time to put a spoon and a washable marker in the girl's hand! After her appointment we had lunch with Daddy at Pei Wei, and he headed down to Jackson for work. We can hardly keep up with him these days!

Lazy Afternoon

Yay! We're home (for a few days anyway)!

Brad is working in LR for a few days, so we came home too! It is weird packing to go to your own house! Mary Ella has been having a blast at Gigi and Papa's, and she is starting to think she is a regular at Nana's, but a few nights at home will be nice too. Her sleep/nap schedule is ALL messed up, and she's not eating good, but she sure has been having FUN! We packed up this morning and came straight home in time to...do nothing. We took full advantage of some rainy afternoon downtime.

Mary Ella has started just laying down in the floor when she's tired- not for long and she wouldn't dare go to sleep. She's just taking a little break I guess.

Tired little lady