Veteran's Day

We went to visit Lyla's great-grandpa Joe on Veteran's Day. He proudly served his country and so we wanted to honor him. Lyla is always a big hit at the nursing home and really likes walking up and down the big halls visiting everyone. This trip was even more special since she got to play with a balloon, one of her favorite new things! It was nice to remember those who have served and are currently serving our nation. I hope to instill in Lyla a respect and admiration for the courageous men and women who protect our country so that she can have the freedom she is so blessed with.

Officially Walking

Lyla has been taking only a few steps at a time for several months now, but it is not what I would consider walking. Mostly just testing the waters. But like with all things Lyla, once she decides that is what she is wants to do, she does it full out. She decided on on November 7th that she was no longer going to crawl around. She started walking everywhere without fear. A few days later, running was more her speed. So after 13 months, my baby is OFFICIALLY a toddler. Look out world, Lyla is on the loose!

Lyla Grace Faces

Lyla makes the funniest faces. Ever since she was a tiny baby she could crack us up with her many faces. Her big eyes are so expressive and she does a number with her eyebrows and lips. Here are a few of my favorites from November.

"They are letting me drive this thing by myself!?!?!"

"Where is mom?" "Does she know about this?"

Lyla also learned to give kisses in November - mostly to daddy and her babies!

"What is with mom and these L pictures?"

Sweet Tooth

I really try not to give Lyla too many sweets. She has a pretty big sweet tooth, which I think she inherited from her grandmothers, since her dad and I aren't big sweet eaters. But she carried around this sucker for several days and so after Halloween I figured one sweet wouldn't hurt too much. She LOVED her sucker. She stood right beside the couch and almost finished the whole thing. (We brushed our teeth right after). Of course she had the stickiest hands around but the delight in her eyes and the "mmuumm" sounds were worth the extra wet washcloths.

A Not so Happy Halloween

Halloween was not so Happy for Lyla this year. She had a big day on the 31st. Her sweet friend Molly had her 3rd birthday in Amarillo that morning. So up early + lots of sugary donuts + short nap = cranky Lyla. Not even her Little People Halloween set could cheer her up. We had to cut Trick or Treating short, only visiting Aunt Sherry and Nana's house. She did have a blast the night before Halloween, spending the night with her Aunt MeMe, who taught her how to make ghost sounds - the cutest thing ever!

Pumpkin Carving

Our family carved pumpkins this year to release some of our creativity - ha ha. We are not the artists in the family but I think we did a pretty good job! Lyla loved the "pump-pumps". She carried around her tiny pumpkin like a baby. But she was totally grossed out by the pumpkin guts! I am probably the least patient and the least artistic but I got stuck carving both mine and Lyla's. Our little family of pumpkins turned out pretty cute and made a nice addition to our front porch.

FBC Halloween Carnival

We are getting as much use out of Lyla's Halloween costume as possible by attending almost every event in Borger. We took Lyla and Bryn to the First Baptist Church Halloween Carnival at the Aluminum Dome. It was a gross, rainy evening but there were tons of kids there. We didn't have as much fun as the FUMC carnival but it was still neat to see all of the kids in their costumes. The best part was that Lyla's daddy finally got to come to something! He has been working really long hours (so I can stay home!) and so we were glad he got to join us.

Lyla and Her Daddy

Her favorite game - the Duck Grab

Not sure about the Bean Bag TossDaddy really wanted to win this one!Bryn and Lauren at the Pumpkin TossLauren and BrynnyBerryOur family + Our BrynWild ThingsWalking Zebra and the cutest berry in the bunchAnimal Walk