Carbon Leaf Concert

  In mid-October Chris and I were able to see one of our favorite bands play the Triple Door in Seattle. We love Carbon Leaf and anyone who follows this blog will remember that they have a very special place in our hearts. I went into labor with Leila while we were at Carbon Leaf's concert and we had their album playing in the delivery room when she made her debut into the world. Anyway, needless to say, anytime Carbon Leaf makes it out this way from Virginia, Chris and I always jump at tickets. The Triple Door is an awesome venue! It was our first time there and we were thrilled with our seats. Right in front of the stage is a long bar-like table then a walkway then the first row of booths. We had a table in the first row of booths. Amazing! 

Just Because

 We live right across the street from this huge field and this fall the grass grew pretty tall. I really wanted to try taking some pictures in front of the wrought iron gate and was able to convince Leila to be my subject. I actually liked how the pictures in front of the barbed wire fence looked more than the gate. 

Pippi Longstocking

 In October, our long wait came to an end! It was finally showtime again at Seattle Children's Theatre!! We were thrilled to kick off this year's season by attending Pippi Longstocking. Before the big day, Leila and I read the first chapter book to introduce the characters. Once again, it was a fabulous show!

After the show we hung around Seattle for the better part of the day to explore the Seattle Children's Museum. We had a good time, but it has nothing on the Olympia Hands On Museum. 

Karen Hille Phillips Center's Grand Opening

PLU had its grand opening for the remodeled Eastvold in October. The University hosted a fabulous gala on the opening night of its fall play, Kiss Me, Kate. Not only was it special to see the new building, but it was even more special for Chris because he got to spend time with his two favorite professors - Jeff and Dr. Becvar. And to top it all off, there were four former ERHS theatre students in the show! 

Pumpkin Patch Visit

Of course we made our annual trek down to Orting's Spooner Farms this October! We seem to have a trend going the last few years of heading there in the rain. This year followed that trend and we had the patch to ourselves due to the wet weather. It wasn't actually too bad though. We got our pick of pumpkins, didn't have to wait in any lines, had front row parking and got free reign of the duck race gutters....so what more could you ask for!??!!? 

Weedie absolutely loves the Duck Races! The fact that it is under cover always allows her some extra time to play as we don't mind the staying dry part. We tried to make one of these pumps for our backyard a few years back but were quite surprised at the cost of the pump!! At least she can enjoy Spooner's races!

Impromptu Playdate

 One Friday in October we got an early morning call from our daycare provider sharing that she was ill and would not be open that day. After trying to problem solve for a few minutes, we decided it would be easiest if I just stayed home for the day. That way Leila would still get to go to school. Our friends, the Mellicks, were also without childcare since their kids go to Sandy's too, so I offered to pick Wyatt up from kindergarten when I was getting Leila. The kids were thrilled! We had a McDonald's lunch right after pick-up and then headed home to play the afternoon away. These two get along so well. At one point while they were watching the Wild Kratts and having a snack, I looked over to see them sharing a blanket. Too sweet! 

Walk-a-Thon

 Leila experienced her first school fundraiser this fall...a walk-a-thon. She asked all the family members we could think of for donations. She got quite the total! It pays to be the only school-aged grandchild on both sides! She ended up being the top fundraiser for the primary grades at her school...something we weren't trying for, but exciting nonetheless. She was surprised, a few weeks after the walk-a-thon, at a school assembly and was awarded an ipod shuffle. Gramma got to join in the walking the day of the fundraiser. Gramma reported that Leila is quite the social butterfly. Hee hee!