Mr. Pumpkin

Last weekend Madelyn helped carve her very first pumpkin! She was very excited to see it turn into a jack-o-lantern, which she named Mr. Pumpkin.

She was so curious when Daddy removed the lid . . . what could be inside?



"Hmmm, I think I need a closer look."




She rolled her sleeves up to help scoop everything out, but she quickly changed her mind after touching the icky pumpkin pulp.


She put his "hat" back on when the face was finished.




She gave Mr. Pumpkin a special hug and insisted that he sit in a chair beside her. What a fun afternoon!

Arkansas Fun!

Cousins Ivy, Garrett, and Aunt Amy came in from California for a brief visit to see new Baby Emma. They flew into Dallas and spent the night before everyone headed to Arkansas.

Madelyn and Ivy slept together on the pull-out sofa their first night together. What a treat to sleep in the living room!! We were all shocked that they both stayed there all night!

A huge milestone happened while we were there - Madelyn rode a bike (with training wheels) for the first time!! Daddy helped her gain confidence, and within a few minutes she was having the time of her life riding up and down the driveway.

She felt a HUGE sense of accomplishment! She was thrilled!



Proud Papaw with new granddaughter Emma, who was two weeks old that day. She is such a sweet, precious baby!



The four grandchildren with Papaw as everyone celebrated his birthday. What cuties!




Hairstylist Ivy made Uncle Terry pretty with LOTS of mousse!




Garrett is quite the pro on video games, and he was patient enough to let Madelyn feel as though she was playing along. She thought she was making the action happen by pressing keys on the keyboard (which wasn't hooked up). She loved it!



Enjoying some drawing and painting time together.

A Halloween Pose

On her way into school the other morning, Madelyn told me to take her picture in hew new Halloween shirt. She had picked it out several weeks earlier because of the cute kitty on the front. She's a happy girl!

Complete with pumpkin socks and all!

Future Gymnast

Madelyn had a great time at her friend Sean's birthday party the other day. She got to hang and climb the entire time - two of her favorite things to do!

Looks like a future gymnast hanging from the bars . . .

A good dismount . . . landed on both feet!

Walking the balance beam very carefully . . .

Golf Practice

Madelyn enjoyed a little putting practice at our neighborhood golf course the other day. She was excited that she had her own clubs!

Daddy gave her a few pointers before her first putt.

The swing was good and the ball was headed for the hole!

A few more hits . . .

And she made it!! This picture was taken right as she was taking her bow.

Onto the next hole. A golfer's job is never done!