I will try to shorten the length of my posts so that people will actually read them rather than be intimidated and feel burdened with a homework assignment. First, I voted today and there was no line when I went. I got a sticker, the satisfaction of knowing I exercised my right to vote and did so having carefully studied the issues and candidates, but I did not get a Tootsie Roll. What happened? Did anyone else get one? I'll be so mad if you did.
Second, we were in St. George this last weekend and had a great time! Dan's (Jason's dad) birthday is on Halloween, so Trish (Jason's mom) threw a fantastic surprise party for him. I'm telling you, this was one awesome party complete with laser tag in the backyard. I got a little too into the game and ended up pushing a 12- year old boy...I won't go into the details of why, just know that I felt bad...but I still think he deserved it. Yes, I am exactly twice his age and I resorted to pushing him to solve the conflict. Put a red check by my name. While you're at it, put one by Jason's name because he kicked the same kid earlier. Jason was dressed up in an Elvis wig and some red long-johns with a plastic bum exposed out the back, I was Robin Hood and Addie was a larva. Yep, I made her a larva/ weevil costume. She will look back and wonder why I didn't dress her up in something cute, like a bunny. And next year she's going to be a rat (I already have the costume). She made a perfect larva though because she's the right size and shape and she wiggles exactly like a larva when she's wearing the costume. I'll post pictures when I can. Oh, and during the party I was out jumping on the trampoline with three little girls (about 5-6 years old...one of them was Caitie). After a few games I told the girls I had to go check on my baby (thanks Eric for babysitting so I could go play) and they followed me into the house. One of the girls asked me, "Don't you have a mom and a dad?" to which I replied "Yes." "Then why do
you have to check on the baby?" I then explained that I am, in fact, an adult and a mommy...I think they felt betrayed. I didn't see them again after that.
Third, we also had the privlege of visting the Bess'...Annie is adorable! J and Ben went shooting while Kim and I (and the babes) went shopping. I was carrying Addie through the OshKosh store when her headband suddenly got caught on my earring. I quickly pulled the headband off her head to avoid any lobe injuries and tried getting it unhooked from my earring with one hand. Meanwhile, Addie saw the clean shoulder of my shirt as an artisic opportunity and puked a tremendous amount of white goo. So, with a headband on my earring, puke running down my shirt and a wiggly baby in my arms I set out to find Kim for some help. What would I have done if I was there by myself, I wonder? Thanks Kim. And thanks Addie for keeping things from being dull and monotonous.
Fourth, we went to a baby blessing for Jason's cousin's baby girl and so we got to see some additional family, which was a delicious bonus treat. All in all, it was a great weekend and we were sad to come home...especially since it's cold and rainy here. I think Addie is missing the constant entertainment and attention from her aunts, uncles, and grandparents. I think I'm missing all the babysitters and extra helping hands. Oh, well. At least we have some leftover Kit Kats.
Addie's first ponytail, naturally made by the careful withdraw from ordinary bathtub water.
Addie is a declared Outdoorist. If she had her druthers, she would be outside all the time.
Deep thoughts often lead to deep sleep.
For someone with no words, she often has a lot to say.
She proudly sits in her new highchair and oversees the goings-on in the kitchen. She likes to have an array of items on her tray to examine and discard at will.
You may look at this moustache and say, "it looks so easy!" but you would be quite wrong. Much care and maintenance goes into this twisted little beauty.
The complete family photo. Even our beloved motorcycle (that Jason refuses to let me name for masculine reasons) is in this one!
This is the beginning of our pumpkin's transformation into a jack-o-lantern. Ours is the one closest to little Faye. Our pumpkin was born in a liitle patch in Paradise, Utah. One day a group of strangers showed up and paid $2 to take him home. (Faye, Abbey, baby Mangus, and Crystal).
He got in a car and left with the above two people...
...who took him home, punched out his soul, and gave him a permanent friendly expression.
The End! (This is part of the "Escape to Logan" post)
This is the little larva costume that I made for Addie. I know, you wanted to say "oh, a mummy" when you saw it, and you also thought, "why did they dress her up in something so gross and weird?" Well, let me just remind you of the purpose of Halloween: to be as scary and icky as you dare. Addie may be little, but she's quite daring. And she didn't have a choice because we are bigger than she is.
Buffalo are the single most awesome mammalian species on this rotating rock we call Earth.
The Great Salt Lake may be smelly and gross, but the photos always turn out fabulous. It really is a pretty place if you don't look too close.
The water was only about two feet deep at this particular location, but flotation is at it's peak. Some theorize that its the salt, and some say its the brine shrimp (for more on that theory contact Zach). 
Addie's first dip in the Great Salt Lake...or any lake, for that matter.
One can't help but wonder what caused the salty demise of this feather friend.
We had a fabulous time. In fact, the fabulous content was so high that it caused Addie's awake functions to fail. She recovered on the way home. For a more detailed account of this trip please visit the post entitled, "Salt, Snot, and Dirty Bloodsuckers".