Looking at these pictures I see how grown up Katie is getting. She is 3......but can't she still be my baby? She tells me that she is a big girl and she acts like it more everyday. I miss my "little" baby. I guess that is a sure sign that I am ready for another one. Here are her latest pictures. I hope you enjoy them.

I think red is her color! I wanted to try the black and white edit, but I think it looks better with the bold red. We came home from having fun with friends and I had to take her picture before taking off her cute outfit. I was stuck in a Gymboree rut, but lately their designs are so similar to past lines I got bored. I love this outfit and I think Katie does too! Pretty girl! She was really trying to make the photographer (me) happy, but there wasn't much she could since all we had to work with was slightly wet grass???

No I did not give my girl a lemon, she just made this funny face and I caught it!

Katie playing with grass......

Well, that was our ladybug photo session! I am having so much fun with my camera. I am looking forward to taking holiday pictures this month. She just might have to have more than one dress??!!?? Having a girl is so much fun! And yes, I do thank God daily...... for everthing!

Photography Fun!

Katie and I have been so busy lately, but we are doing really fun stuff. Today we went to an event at Center Place (a local theatre). Kids could dress up and there were about 70-80 businesses giving out freebies and candy. The weather was so beautiful. Of course I took my camera and shot some amazing pictures of my little fairy princess. This is her birthday dress with a pair of sparkly wings that SHE wanted to wear. Finally, she enjoys getting all dolled up!

That is just a taste of all the pictures I took. Yes, I am a photog mom now. Only a few people in my life really understand my obession (Hi Rochel!).

I must go to bed now because it is late and I have a meeting in the morning. So I leave you with this adorable little picture of Katie in her car. Katie and I took a walk on the cool day we had 2 weeks ago. It was so nice out. I look forward to the next cold front.

Go hug someone you love!

My Little Pumpkin

This weekend we went to the Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival. We have heard about it from friends, but this was our first time going. I think it will become a yearly tradition for us now. My parents were in town so we loaded in the car and drove about 45 minutes south to Bradenton. When we got there we were all shocked at how BIG this event actually is. We thought there may be a few hundred people, but it turned out to be thousands of people. It was a huge event. There were acres and acres of farmland as far as you could see. It was beautiful. Not to mention we had our first day of weather that felt like fall. It was a slightly overcast day with bursts of sunshine every once in a while and a crisp cool breeze. Katie was so excited and spent the first hour just taking it all in.

Katie was all smiles!

She made my job (taking pictures) pretty easy. This is an example of when the sun just came out of nowhere.

This was Katie's reaction to the beautiful bright sunshine.

So cute!!!

This is Katie's pony. She got to ride on her for a few minutes. She was not scared to ride, but didn't want to pet her. I think her pony was sleeping the whole time, but sweet still.

Katie and her pony (and her mommy).

It is sad when you look through your pictures and find that you look more excited than your kid. You would think I was riding the pony!

Katie also got to ride on Pop Pop's shoulders. This was where I sat about 30 years ago. So cute to see her up there. My dad loved every second of it!

So this train was not a train in the traditional sense of the word, but a tractor barrel train. It was pretty cute. This is the first ride that Katie has gone on all by herself. I was nervous (just a little), but she had a great time. Kind of reminds me of the Little Rascals.

Weeeeeeeeee!

Oh, you little cutie!

Oh yes, I found every possible photo spot and drove my family a little nuts. I took way too many pictures, but you have to when you have an unpredictable 3 year old. Okay, so perhaps 300 pictures was a little excessive.

Smile pretty!

Did I mention this was a pumpkin festival?? They had hundreds of bright orange beautiful pumpkins! So, of course I had to stick my kid in the middle of them and take her picture!

See, there she is with her little pumpkin.

Many little pumpkins.....

Katie's Grammy and Pop Pop wanted to buy her a huge pumpkin, but Katie wanted the little one. We were all a little relieved since the large pumpkins were $20 and up. Really, I can get the same pumpkins at the grocery store for about $7 to $8. If you know me at all, you know I have to get a deal!

Later in the day we enjoyed homemade Butter Pecan ice cream while we listened to the jammin' country music and watched the little kids dance. Katie was having way too much fun (and sugar) to take a nap. We ended our day by watching the Circus. Katie fell asleep in the car as we were leaving. Such a fun day!

Murder at the Juice Joint!

Tonight was a night of mystery from the roaring 20's. With some light jazz and swing music in the background we played out character roles through dinner. I was Rosie Marie the host of this celebration. That's me in the blue dress. Throughout the night we had to exchange information and in hopes to gain some answers about my late husband's death. Chief Cameron, Molly Moll, Cindy Butt, and myself are here showing off our 20's style.

AND THEN THERE WAS A MURDER!!!!!

Notorious Nick fell down dead right after dinner!

Then the interrogations began. We conducted a thorough investigation thanks to P.I. Pinkerton.

Turns out that our own Chief of Police was aiming at some job security!

2 of our guests, Cy Ramsey and Mayor Biggs, were super sleuths and solved the mystery.

Natalie Nemetz and Southside Sal

Southside Sal had quite a few enemies.

Mayor Biggs and his fling Flirty Flapper

Mayor solved the mystery and Flirty was such a charmer!

Chief Cameron.....GUILTY!!!! And won the Money bags award for earning the most money through blackmail and extortion.

Hal Hollywood and his newest client Dina Diva

She stole the show with a great costume and won the Drama Queen Award for the night!

Cy Ramsey and Kitty Cocktail

Cy solved the murder and Kitty served the best drinks....for a tip of course!

Rosie Marie and P.I. Pinkerton

We hosted the night. I led the party and P.I. led the investigation.

Molly Mol and Notorious Nick

She was a sweetie who just got engaged and that enraged the other ladies. She handled it with grace ......but then her man died at the party.

Cindy Butt and Bernie Booze

Cindy won our Dressed to Kill Award. She made her prop cigarette box and served candy cigarettes. Bernie just tried to stay out of trouble.

We had such a blast at the party and we look forward to the next one.

Everyone did such a great job on their costumes and acting!