A Puppy and the Fall Festival

Our neighborhood association put on a Fall Festival this weekend. It was very well attended, but there wasn't much for a 6 month old to do. So we made an appearance, saw our buddies the Harveys, and then went home.

Ian's costume was a big hit though. Some people mistakenly thought he was a sheep, a stuffed animal, a bunny rabbit, and a baby girl. But he was in fact a baby boy dressed as a puppy. It was fun to dress him up, and he really acted the part by sticking his tongue out for most of the evening.

The bat in this picture is Ian's buddy Matthias, who is about 4 months older than Ian.

New Friend

This caterpillar was waiting for us on the threshold of the front door after Ian and I took an afternoon walk around the block. His protective coloration gave me a good clue about where he might like to hang out, so after our photoshoot I put him in a bush outside our front window.

HAPPY 27th BIRTHDAY SCOTT!

If you are reading this blog, you probably know my sweet husband Scott. That makes you a lucky person. He is the kindest, silliest, most hard-working and good-hearted person I know. He is an ideal husband in every way, and the perfect father and therefore I am the luckiest woman. I am so glad he was born 27 years ago and that his parents raised him the way they did. Happy birthday, sweetheart!

The birthday boy's request, O'Boy Oatmeal Cake. Here is what was left after I ate half the batter. Soooo good.

Singing Ian's current favorite, Slippery Fish. Thanks for teaching me, Aunt Allison!

Birthday dinner.

The farfalle pasta recipe is forthcoming on Telestial Kitchen.

I loved this card from Scott's parents. Picking cards must be a talent. After I spent an hour reading every birthday card on the rack and still couldn't find one for the birthday boy, I am even more impressed at how fun that card was.
I have to share some of my favorite lines from it:

"Son, now that you are an adult, it is time you learned the truth about a few things:

It is theoretically possible to know you won't like something without trying it. Very few emergency room doctors ever notice underwear. You weren't really told anything a thousand times. Nobody on vacation tends to turn the car around. If you make a goofy face, it won't really freeze that way. You are the nicest, most talented, loveable son in the whole world. But that one is true."

Some black dress socks for my workin' man.

Scott wearing a birthday present.

27 candles!
This is one handsome baby. He sure looks like his daddy.

The Latest

Here is a recap of some of the things going on at our house.

When you are teething and pitiful, you can get away with a lot.

Our neighbors had us over for dinner and a movie last weekend. They made authentic chicken tostadas. (Some of you may be aware of my love for tostadas because of my former e-mail address, tostada@hotmail.com) These were the best tostadas I have ever had. I will share the recipe as soon as I get it. We contributed this simple but delicious fruit pizza recipe.







Suddenly, it is winter here in Houston. We woke up to a very chilly home on Tuesday, and it has remained very cold ever since. It was strange how our AC had been struggling to keep the house at a steamy 80 degrees the day before, and suddenly our thermostat read 68 degrees. And I assure you that 68 degrees is cold in place as humid as this. Little Ian's hands and lips were blue that first morning when we went to get him up. I never thought the day would come when we would want to use our heater.


This is probably the first time Ian has worn pants since we left Provo. I have really enjoyed dressing Ian up in all his winter clothes.

This is before our morning stroll. Ian and I go walking with another mom and baby in the ward almost every day. There are lots of paved, wooded trails in our neighborhood.

This is after our walk. It was way cooler outside than Ian and I were prepared for. Look at Ian's little pink nose. : ) This beanie was knit by Ian's great-grandpa Searles!

Last night a beautiful horse name Butterscotch left me with this souvenir of our introduction. I was sure we were friends until she bit me.

Also, today Scott turns 27! I will capture pictures of the festivities this evening, and will certainly post them so you can all feel like you celebrated with us.