East Coast

Our trip started out great with the few days we spent on the East coast with Lizzie and J.T. We cruised Greenwich Ave. and caught a glimpse of Dillon Lauren (Ralph Lauren's daughter). She had a book signing at the amazing Ralph Lauren store on Greenwich Ave.; the ridiculously handsome models/ sales associates walked around the store carrying hot chocolate on silver platters for anyone who wanted one - I felt so glamourous! That night we went to Serendipity 3 and ate way too much dessert- but it tasted so good!





The next morning we headed back into the city and had Lizzie take us all around- it was so nice to be with there with someone who knew where they were going and the best things to do.



Rockefeller Center



Apple Store



We thought these ornaments were amazing!



Owen saw Mickey Mouse from across the street and was so excited to see him - but as soon as he got close, he would not uncover his eyes!



FAO Schwartz





Cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery

Old Fashioned Parade

Last weekend was Lawrence's Old Fashioned Parade. Owen loved watching the horses and the wagons coming down the street. He would yell "Yee-haw" and "Giddy-up horsey" - it was a lot of fun, but so cold! Every year we have lived here we have gone to this parade and every year it is freezing, it is the first realization, for me, of a cold winter ahead!

Owen and Kate all bundled up.

Thanksgiving weekend

We had a great Thanksgiving with the Hinckley family - at least those that are here in the Midwest (plus CB, of course). We were so happy to be with family and enjoy such yummy food.

Then, Friday morning we went and got our Christmas tree and pulled out all our holiday decorations; it's always fun to play some classic Christmas songs and hang the ornaments on the tree.



Santa always comes to downtown Lawrence and lands on top of Weavers department store and then the firemen come and rescue him (it sounds silly for Santa to be stranded, but the kids love it). Owen was very excited to see Santa, but was ready to go home and watch Jayhawk basketball.



Owen was a little more excited last year for Santa...



But he seemed to understand a little bit more this year and hasn't stopped talking about seeing Santa.

Fall

I have been meaning to post some pictures from the last few weeks of Fall here in Kansas. My best friend Cassi and her little 4-month-old baby Cameron came for a visit. It was so nice of them to come and we loved having them. We shopped, enjoyed good food and the weather was so nice; we spent lots of time outside!





My brother Robert (or "Uncle Bobby," as Owen calls him) came to Kansas City for work and was able to spend an afternoon with us. It was so nice to have him and helped us not feel so homesick.



We went to Gage Park in Topeka and took Owen on the train and the carousel. They had these cutouts there and so, of course, we had to take pictures!





Baldwin City had a Festival a few weeks ago. It was fun; they had a small petting zoo, a parade, and lots of little stands of homemade goods people were selling.

Halloween

We had a fun Halloween weekend. We went to the ward Halloween party, had a friend's Halloween party, then we drove up to Ohio and spent the rest of the holiday weekend with the Lesan's.





Owen as George the Monkey, Ellie the Elephant, and Matt the Dinosaur

Late Night at the Phog

This weekend was Late Night at the Phog. I was excited to take Owen to this fun KU event- he loves basketball and the Jayhawks. When the basketball players came out, Owen just started laughing and he hasn't stopped talking about the game. When we saw all the Jayhawks playing we got excited for basketball season. Lawrence comes alive for basketball- after all this was were the game was invented!

Pumpkin Patch

We have loved going to this Pumpkin Patch each year we have been in Kansas. So we couldn't let this fall pass by with out paying it a visit. Owen loved looking at the farm animals, playing on the playground, and of course picking out some pumpkins!





I love seeing Owen change over the years; I can't believe I came to Kansas with just a little baby and now he is so big!

Train

We have gone to the Topeka Zoo quite a few times since moving to Lawrence, but we have never gone on the train at the park next to the Zoo; but this past Friday we got a chance to go. Owen was so excited- he just wanted to sit and wait next to the track for the train to come in and he laughed and smiled the whole time we were on the train. Since we've been home he hasn't stopped talking about it and can't wait to go back- It made for a fun fall morning!

Baseball

Owen loves baseball. He went to a few of my nephews' games this summer and he would always ask to watch baseball on T.V. So, we decided to get some Royal's tickets and take him to a game. He loved every minute; as soon as we walked into the stadium he started laughing and running to try to get a look at the diamond before we found our seats. The stadium has a fun kids area with a carousel, a playground and a miniture baseball diamond. It was a fun day and we are so glad we got the chance to go.

Saturday.

This Saturday we were determined to check some activities off our list of "Things to do before we leave Kansas." We just found out that Lawrence has a farmers' market, so yesterday morning we started out our day there. It was really fun; they had such pretty flowers and yummy breads. We will definitely try to make it back there as much as possible.





We then headed into Independence. We had heard that the Truman Presidential Library and Museum was really interesting and we have been wanting to go for a while.







While we were in Independence we went over to the Church's Visitors' Center. The sister missionary giving the tour was so sweet to try to keep Owen's attention, but Owen just kept asking to see more horses. The visitors' center had a little children's play area (complete with horse and wagon) that we had a hard time pulling Owen away from!




It was a fun Saturday and we are glad we live so close to so many Church history sites.

Coming Back.

Well we made the journey. We packed the car so full that when we went to put Owen in it on Monday morning, he took one look and asked "where did my car seat go?"

We had a fun final month full of dinners with friends, summer evenings with family, and sad good byes.

We spent an evening up in Kamas with friends at their cabin and enjoyed the beautiful mountains, Owen kept galloping around pretending he was a horse.



We went down to liberty park with the Hinckley cousins let Owen ride the carousel, he loved every minute.



We walked up to Ensign Peak, Owen loved walking all by himself and kept repeating "I'm a hiker just like Daddy and Pops."



We are happy to be back and get going into school; Kansas is green and full of sunflowers and we are looking forward to the beautiful Fall weather (the humidity is not our favorite!)