Happy Halloween
and Reformation Day!

Laughing?

I think Lily is starting to laugh! At least this sure sounds like we're getting close to it!

District Pastor's Conference.

The entire Hale family went to the Nebraska District Pastor's Conference this weekend. Even though there was a very interesting speaker this year, I think Phil only goes for the food. He and Randall take these conferences very seriously....

Randall's serious "Rat Face".

Lily spent the entire weekend on the floor halfway under our table learning a lot about the two kinds of righteousness.

We stayed at Randall and Christi's house so Lily, Audrey and Ian got to spend some down time together between sessions. Lily and Ian did some Tummy Time together.

She really impressed him with her rattle shaking abilities.

I think she's the same size as Audrey who just turned two.... is that ok?

Go Big Red!

There's nothing like a Nebraska football game or I should say there's nothing like Nebraska football fans. Phil and I have never seen anything like it. We went to the Nebraska vs. Baylor game last Saturday, what an experience! The whole of downtown Lincoln was transformed into the Red Sea. Thousands of people in red making there way to the stadium. Those not headed inside were gathering outside to tailgate like I've never seen tailgating. These people take game day very seriously to say the least, and this was just for the Baylor game. I can't imagine what this place must have been like during the "glory days". Maybe we'll see those days again. "That Bo Palini is really turning things around!" right Wes?

I don't feel the need to comment on this picture. Yes, that's a television in the side of a trailer. I think that speaks for itself.

Massive tailgate party #1. We passed several of these affairs.

This isn't Ripley's Believe It or Not, Phil is in a Nebraska sweatshirt and really did go to the game. I didn't superimpose him into this shot. In fact he'd just had a delicious game day hot dog even though it was only 10:30 in the morning and was very satisfied.

This is me in my Nebraska sweatshirt after and during my delicious game day hot dog.



It's easy to miss, but note the amount of RED in the stands. The red balloons are released after the first touchdown, it's really quite a sight! Also a sight was the entire stadium doing the wave... two times!

Here are the adorable love birds in their matching sweatshirts. (I promise I only ate one hot dog, not the entire hot dog stand!)

Lily's Flying Saucer.

We put Lily in her entertainment center for the first time last week. She mostly just drools on everything, but seems to have a great time doing it. (sorry for the sideways filming, I guess I was trying to be "artsy".)

One Year!

Today Phil and I celebrate our one year anniversary! It's been some year!

Aunt Jan sent a special gift for Lily to wear on this big day, a paper hair net for year #1, fashionably reworked into an adorable bow. Almost as cute a look as what Jan sported a year ago while slaving to make the yummiest bride's and groom's cakes I've ever eaten! Thank you Janis!

La Cuisinière herself!

Thumbsucker!

Well, it looks like we have a thumbsucker on our hands. We were at Chipotle yesterday when we discovered this. I caught her at it again this morning!

While it's the cutest thing I've ever seen and I'm very happy that Lily can soothe herself without help from Mama or Daddy holding a pacifier in her mouth, I'm a little concerned about how you take away a thumb once it's time for her to stop! Though, she's sleeping through the night now, a straight 12 hours, so if it's the thumb that's doing the trick, I'm not interested in stopping it anytime soon.

Lily also has found a friend in the ceiling fan in our bedroom. I laid down to see what could make her get this excited, but I'm at a loss. I'm just happy to have found one more thing she can amuse herself with. Apparently it doesn't take much.

Southern Belle.

Lily received a hand embroidered Feltman Bros. dress from aunt Sylvia! A classic must have for all little southern girls wardrobes. Though Lily was born in the Midwest, she insists on being dressed in the clothing of her Dixie heritage. She was so overjoyed to be dressed in such finery she passed out on the changing table before church this morning.

The youth group served at our church dinner today. The girls swarmed when they saw her!

Lily knew they all wanted to be wearing their own Feltman Bros. dresses.

"Oh yes they want one." Lily thinks.

After lunch she displayed herself on the table in her new dress for all to admire. Thank you aunt Sylvia!

Apples!

When life gives you apples....

....make applesauce. We were given "some" apples this week. I've decided that instead of all the pies and cakes I would like to make with these, they'll be made into applesauce for Lily unless I eat it all first on the way to the freezer.

It's finally Fall, my favorite time of the year! We've been enjoying some beautiful days in Bancroft. We know that mean Old Man Winter is waiting just around the corner, but for now, it's perfect. We were in the 30s this morning but will warm up into the 70s by the afternoon so out we go to soak it in while we still have time.

(Old Man Winter)

The corn has turned from bright green to gold and now to brown. It's ready for harvesting.

I was really wanting to get some pumpkins. We went to a pumpkin patch on Sunday night and bought a couple. When we got home someone, we still don't know who, had placed these in our driveway. Now I've got gourds galore!

I've displayed some of them in the kitchen with my new Fall decoration, "Harvest Home", I bought at a craft show that I went to Saturday with my new friend Wendy. She got a pumpkin bib for Lily. I thought it was too cute for milky baby drool so I hung it here with my other festive goodies.

This is for Lindsay.

With the cooler weather coming I've been on a soup making kick. Here's my Black Bean soup.

And some Tomato Basil soup with homemade Mozzarella Basil biscuits (I had to use the dough). Yum!

Big Sports Fans.

Will she bleed orange or go Big Red or just be very confused? (Look at my big Dallas hair! Phil says it's a lot "puffier" since I got it cut.)

Just Lily.

This is what Lily will look like when she's 85.

And here she is at 12 pretending she can't hear me.

Heather, if you're looking, thanks for the sunglasses. Lily can really keep the sun out of her eyes in style. She loves them!

More sitting on the couch.

And not being sure about it. She's only toppled over 3 times. I don't know what she's so nervous about.

Lily likes to lay in Mama and Daddy's bed on Sunday mornings while I get dressed.

And just like Mama, going back to sleep makes her sooo happy.

Daddy and Lily.

Lily is learning to sit on the couch.

She doesn't seem to sure about it but Daddy is always there to encourage and support her.

Another fishing trip with Daddy!

Phil took Lily to the neighbor's to visit and show off. When he came home I heard him ask, "Is this not the cutest thing you've ever seen?" That was the cutest thing I'd ever heard coming from Phil. I turned to see this and yes, it was a cute moment so I grabbed the camera.