The Cutest Lil Strawberry

Last year Belle was too little to really enjoy Halloween.  This year she loved checking out the children in their costumes and of course trick-o-treat.  Grams came over to watch her walk to her first house.  Our neighbors are so sweet, knowing how I am extremely particular about what Belle eats they all gave her some healthier snacks, apples, goldfish and teddygrams! 

Belle was able to play with her buddies Tyler and Blake a little bit as well.  Weren't they the cutest Batman and Robin ever!!!  After trick-o-treat Belle enjoyed some swinging in the backyard and then helped Mommy hand out candy on the front porch or should I say pull all the candy out of the bowl.  Her new favorite game (pull everything out of every drawer, bag, bowl, whatever) with such determination I must add!!!

We were even able to see a hayride head up our cul-de-sac...what a beautiful autumn day for Halloween!!  Enjoy some of our Lil Strawberry pictures!!

Halloween Party

We headed over to A and T's for their annual Halloween gathering on Saturday night.  Belle actually wore her costume including head piece for the majority of the evening.  I was shocked!!  She loved playing with her cousins and seeing all everyone!  Thanks for a wonderful time. 

Yummy Treats

I made the food for my growth group this week and I tried a few new recipes.  I would modify the cake balls a bit to make them a little prettier, but the concept is great for parties, etc.  You buy whatever cake mix you like and icing you would typically pair with the cake.  I normally make cake from scratch but for this box will do.  I choose the following combinations:
Devil Food Cake with Chocolate Fudge Icing then dipped in dark chocolate
Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Icing then dipped in milk chocolate
Lemon Cake with Lemon icing dipped in white chocolate
Carrot Cake with cream cheese icing dipped in white chocolate

After you bake each cake, cool then take a fork and crumble the cake.  Add icing and mix together.  Roll mixture into balls and place in freezer for one hour.  Then dip each ball in melted in chocolate.  I realize that it would probably be better to this on a stick instead of by hand.  Cool and put in the fridge.  Easy!  Thanks Betty Crocker.

I also made a yummy french toast casserole, compliments of Paula Dean :)

Some Halloween Goodies

Some gifts Belle gave or received for Halloween!

Mommy gets a new camera

For Christmas this year my Dad and Liz purchased a Nikon D5000 SLR for me!  Something totally that I did not "need" but just wanted.  Sometimes I think gifts like that are good.  After our trip to visit Caryn and Jeff I loved how her camera was able to capture all the moments so quickly.  It will be so great to get all of Belle's captions so quickly!!  I haven't had much time to ready up on all the settings but am practicing daily so stay tuned as I get a little better with this high tech gift.  Thanks again Dad and Liz!!

I am very observant

Everyone has always told me that your child will watch your every move and this week I saw this first hand.  Belle opened the bathroom drawer pulled out my blush and blush brush and started applying on her cheek bones and mostly on her mouth!  She watches me every morning as I get ready for work or for our day and she wanted to be just like mommy. Too cute and made us realize that she is always watching :)

Catching up with some of Mommy's Friends

Belle and I were fortunate to catch up with two of my dear friends for lunch this week at the VT!   Belle enjoyed practicing some steps for T.  :) We had a great time and can't wait to meet little Ellie in January.  Thanks T and Ashley for a great lunch.  Too bad the battery was dead in my camera!

Growth Group

Our growth group is going really well!  We haven't brought Belle much so Bri and I can focus on our time with our group.  But, today we brought Belle with us and Kim and Greg's sweet son Alec came to play with Belle while we met.  He is in 8th grade and so mature!  He made her laugh the entire time and she had a blast!!!  Thanks to Alec/Kim/Greg for helping us out and happy birthday Greg AND anniversary to you both!

WWF?

So, I have been organizing closets and I found an old baby doll of mine that my mom brought over for Belle.  As soon as she laid eyes on this doll it was on!  It is almost as big as her and she lugged it all over the house harassing the poor thing!  I know she was loving it but it looked like she was trying to wrestle it to the ground.  Brian and I couldn't help laughing!  Closets aren't done, but what a great memory!

Our little Frankenstein

No Belle isn't going to be Frankenstein for Halloween, but she sure is walking like him right now!  I haven't had the camera out at the right time but it is so cute.   She will walk all over the house very methodically with her harms out just like Frankenstein.  Will catch it soon!  I am thinking that she will be ALL over the place very soon!  She has also broke 4 teeth on top and is saying numerous words(daddy, mommy, ball, doggy, hey, bye, uh-oh, "tank" you, book)  We are also learning to point to our eyes, nose and mouth.  I feel developmentally she has changed quite a bit in the last two weeks. 

Here a few photos of Daddy and Belle today....isn't she growing up?