Our pumpkins

Our pumpkin carving journey....
I wasn't going to carve pumpkins this year (I hate the scooping goop part), but Randy's brother Mike and Mike's girlfriend, Terri, were visiting this week and she got us a big 40 lb. pumpkin to carve, and so we did. It was really fun. I made Randy do all the scooping out work. That's my least favorite of course. :) Stella did not like the inside stuff at all. Randy and Uncle Mike kind of pushed her into touching it in the beginning and she cringed and screamed. (we didn't make her touch it again) She didn't even like the sight of it at first. She warmed up to the pumpkin a little more and, after all the inside was scooped out, was pretending to do it herself. She once got a little goop on her arm and freaked out a little, holding her arm out to Dad to help her. She was very cute and I'm glad we did carve a pumpkin this year. We would've really missed out. Thanks Terri :)

In this picture she was using her scooper. Randy threw a little of the previously scooped stuff on her spoon as she brought it up. Look at her face.

'No Dad, don't do it!!! "

our qucik trip to Myrtle Beach

We made this weekend a long one and went to Myrtle Beach. It was pretty cold, but we made the best of it and enjoyed the beach, restaurants, indoor pool and amazing view from our balcony. We met up with some friends there and had a good time. One night after eating some great food for dinner I let Stella out of her high chair while the guys were taking care of the bill. There was an older couple sitting near us, clearly someone's wonderful grandparents. They were admiring Stella and she went right up to them to say hello and stare at them mostly. The gentleman just couldn't resist and asked if he could sit Stella on his lap. She sat right up there with him, no protest, no fear whatsoever. It was very cute and everyone in the restaurant was entertained. Leave it to Stella...she even showed them her tummy. We'll have to discuss 'Stranger Danger' some other time. :)

She had a great time watching us feed the birds, though when we gave her some bread to throw, she just ate it.

your weekly update

Stella has been in a fantastic mood today! (I think it might be related to the the new shoes she charmed outta Daddy) Here are some photos from today; she was doing her 'cheese' face very well. Also one photo of her and her friends, we had over last week. We sure do have a great group of friends to play with. Anyway, today we went to the play place at the mall for a bit. I made sure I drenched her hands in germx afterward. We got some very cute new white Keds. Stella did a very nice job of letting the lady try on some different shoes for her. She looked at her like she was nuts, but she didn't say anything. Then we went out to lunch and had a great time there. She was saying 'hi' and 'bye, bye' to everyone and almost touched some gentleman with her grilled cheese sandwich.
Lately she has been getting ready for her nap time by herself. I'll say "Stella' are you ready to go night-night?" She will shake her head, yes, and grab up her blankies (yes we have two) and she will start walking up the stairs. I'll follow behind her (don't worry mom/grandma) and she'll go to her room, turn on her fan and walk over to her crib so I can lift her up! She'll wave night-night to me most of the time too! She is such a good girl! Can't believe how great she does. Although she is a very determined girl and very on the go, she seems to know and respect the drill on most things.

Stella with her friends, Brady, Maya, and Elizabeth.

Pumpkin Patch

We went to a pumpkin patch and farm last weekend. We're getting in the fall mood here. It was a beautiful day. Stella saw some goats (she wasn't too sure about them). She also saw a donkey and pig. She went through a little maze with Daddy and we took a hayride to go pick some pumpkins. Stella was very glad to find one just her size and she carried it around the whole time of course. We had a bit of an issue giving it up so the lady could weigh it. Luckily she was quick and Stella got it right back.

Not her first lemon, but first time for this reaction.

So, we were out to dinner and Stella started dipping her lemon in Randy's ketchup and then licking it off. So gross, but so funny as she really seemed to be enjoying it. She typically always gets the lemon from my drink and likes to chew on them; she has never acted like she thought they were particularly sour before, just good. Well I wanted to record how Stella was dipping her lemon in this ketchup and then eating it, and here is what I got.

Please pardon my 'cackle'. I might need to reconsider my laugh. :)

There are new posts to see below as well.

First hair cut

We took Stella to get her first hair cut. I just wanted to get the back trimmed up a little, something I probably could've done myself. But, of course, I thought having pictures of her 'first hair cut' would be cuter if she was sitting in a cute chair in a salon.

Stella couldn't quite figure out what the lady was doing back there. But she handled it pretty well, especially once she got that sucker to focus on. Mmmm, butterscotch, her favorite.

Here's a short video...remember all you e-mail recipients, you need to actually go to the website to view this. http://1krusefamily.blogspot.com

Our time in Indiana

We had a great trip back to Indiana. We were able to make it a trip that was just 1 day shy of two weeks. Stella and I were able to do lots of things and relax with family. Daddy had to stay back and work for the good of the cause. Bless his heart...he sure did miss us, but it was nice of him to give us up for so much time. We stayed in Anderson with Grandpa and Grandma Kruse for a bit and then went on the Ft. Wayne. Stella had such a wonderful time playing with all of her cousins. They really kept her busy and interested. Stella didn't need much mommy time as there was so much else to do! She was a VERY flexible little girl, sleeping in pack and plays in dark closets for much of the trip. We never had a problem there. She was very sweet on the plane rides, only getting a little squirmy a couple times. I did make sure to have suckers and unlimited fruit snacks within reach and that helped! On our travels Stella had many adventures. She helped her Grandpa Kruse take their dog out, wether he needed help or not. She tested the limit of how many mardi gras beads one could fit around their neck. She pet bunnies and played fetch with dogs and cats; she saw 'hairy' cows and horses and got brain-freeze too. We visited my old work place and had lunch with friends. She drove a barbie jeep and was a passenger too. She ate dinner in sunglasses and played in her first pair of dress up shoes. She let Uncle Matt hold her for a bit and laughed and giggled playing with her cousin Katie in the play place at the mall. She did not let her Uncle Todd get too close but she loved Gavin and Dylan! She went to her cousin Mary's Cross Country meet and got the worst diaper rash she'd ever had.

We managed to get a lot in and were sad to go. We'll be back soon for the holidays and are sure to have a great time again. Till then we'll enjoy making up lost time with Daddy. She sure was glad to see him waiting for us at the airport. I wonder if she thought of him when we were gone or wondered where he was. I bet so.

we're working on "milk, please"

Stella wants her milk!
Ah...all better