You're welcome

Well this past week/weekend we had Pumpkin Fest and Halloween and here are the pictures to prove it. Read until the end to understand the title of this post.

Mom and Dad ran in the Pumpkin Fest 10K. Grandma and Grandpa Gerken came to visit so they could watch me while Mom and Dad ran. This is the three of us pre-race, it was a chilly day.I wore my costume to cheer the runners along. When dad ran by he gave me high five, mom just threw her mittens at me. I was a tiger if you couldn't tell.Mom and Dad post-race. They were tired. Dad looks a little more rested, because he finished before mom. She had just finished when this picture was taken. Dad's time was 51 minutes and 22 seconds and Mom's time was 1 hour and 6 seconds. They both did great, and are excited to get even faster next year. My favorite job is to help mom and dad stretch post-race. Whether it's after a race or after their morning runs I help them stretch.
After the race we headed over to see the pumpkin displays in front of the courthouse. If you don't know about this a highlight of Pumpkin Fest is the pumpkin contest. There are different categories and age groups. The above picture is angry birds, we all thought that was clever.
No wonder this pumpkin got 1st place, WOW.

Grandpa took a picture of us enjoying the pumpkin displays.

Here I am all ready for my first trick-or-treating. I was actually yelling at mom during this picture, because I didn't want my picture taken.Dad and I knocking on the first door, our neighbors Liz and Joe. I was a little nervous at first, but then got the hang of it. I said trick or treat really quietly, but always said thank you loudly. After awhile I was running up and down the streets.

Once we got done trick or treating, I had to examine all my great treats.
Still examining all my treats and begging Mom to let me eat them all while dad makes dinner. Oops I should have begged Dad he's the pushover and mom's no fun. (we like to call her a fuddy duddy)
Dad won and I got to have a couple things of candy, notice the M & M slobber all over my face and shirt. I would have eaten all the treats if they let me.
Once I got my costume off it was time to help hand out candy. I think this part was actually more fun than trick-or-treating. Every time the doorbell rang or there was a knock I would scream "Trick-or-treaters" then run to the candy bucket, grab it and greet the trick-or-treaters. I was very good at saying your welcome (after Mom taught me I should say that instead of thank you). There were even some kids who didn't say thank you at first, but once I said you're welcome they did. I did a good job of teaching manners on Halloween. Mom and Dad were really proud of me. The older girls that came by thought I was just the cutest thing ever...coincidentally they are right.

In other news I have to report that I am not potty training and I do not care too either. Mom and Dad have been asked recently so I thought I should clear it up. Just because I know what the potty is for, I cover my nose when my own diaper stinks, and I potty train every doll I have does not mean I, myself am ready to be potty trained.

October is here, and almost gone!

Just thought I should take some time to post some pictures. Mom has been really busy with a class she is taking, which means she's hasn't been able to help me upload the pictures. We took a day off together today though so she's finally helping me update the blog. Last weekend we went to the farm in Dixon to celebrate Emily's birthday with here. It's not actually until this weekend, but she's going to Hawaii to celebrate. Wow I just got Disney World..hmmm. Here she and I are driving the tractor after it ran out of gas.Isaac offered rides on the wagon while he drove. He is a very safe driver.

Bakka Park at the farm is so much fun. There are two swings so Emily and I could swing at the same time. We had a lot of fun running around and getting dirty.Emily with her parents before blowing out the candle. Aunt Chris made really cute cookie monster and elmo cookies for the party. We did two rounds of Happy Birthday while they tried to light the candle. The whole way home I sang, "Happy to you Emily, Happy to you Emily Elmo" Mom and Dad thought it was cute. I'm a good singerLast weekend Mom and her friend Abbey (the one on the right) ran in the NIU Homecoming 5K. Mom's goal was to beat 30 minutes, which she wasn't sure she could do given the wind that day. This is them before the race, it was very cold that morning.Dad and I waited at the finish line, which happened to be inside for her to finish. Mom did so well that she had to yell dad's name as she came towards the finish because he wasn't watching, he thought she still had at least a minute or two.Mom finished in 26 minutes 56 seconds, she crushed her goal, and even won her age division. Abbey and Mom said it was because they are old and most of the people running were in their 20's. Either way mom was so excited, she got a medal, which she did let me wear.

On Columbus Day dad and I had the day off, but mom and to work. We went with Grandma and Grandpa Gerken to starved rock to hike.
A couple of weeks ago mom and I met Emily, Uncle Doug and Aunt Chris at Jonomac to pick pumpkins. We did this last year and had a lot of fun. It was much more crowded this year, but still fun.
They said we could have pumpkins but we had to haul them back....what slavedrivers.
If you ever questioned that I am my mother's daughter here is the proof. Mom, Uncle Doug and Aunt Chris were taking too long, so here I am right before I clap my hands together and yell "Mere" (which is my version of Come Here). Yes I'm bossy.

Mom and Dad have been finding me in interesting sleeping positions lately. This one made them run for the camera before they put me back in bed. They find me on the floor, half on the bed, under the bed, but all the while I continue to sleep.
I LOVE reading time before bed, and Dad loves when I hug him while we read. Don't tell him, but I also know if I hug him and be really cute he'll let me stay up for another book :) He's so easily conned.
Daddy did my hair with flowers from the garden.
Gretchen keeps trying to convince me to let her sleep in my bed, but I haven't yet given in, even if she is super cute.

Well that's it for now. We'll have another update in a couple weeks from Halloween and Pumpkin Fest, and then we're headed to Minnesota in November so I'm sure we'll have great pictures of me and my cousins.

Dolphins, Dixon, and the Dentist

Well hello everyone. I've been busy since my last update. Here goes. Mom and I enjoyed the beautiful weather a couple weekends ago and we painted our toenails on the front porch. I LOVE the paint and think it is beautiful.

Mom and Dad thought I was adorable eating my taco one night so out came the camera. Have I mentioned what a great eater I am. I don't necessarily love vegetables, but most things Mom and Dad feed me I at least try.

Mom and I went in to work/school late on Dad's birthday and we made him a cheesecake. It was the first cheesecake either of us has ever made. It was a huge hit.

A couple weeks ago we met Grandma and Grandpa Gerken at the zoo so we could celebrate Dad's birthday with them. We showed them the play zoo at Brookfield this time. Here I am tending to an injured skunk.

I got to play dress up and be a zookeeper. I could definitely have a future cleaning up after animals.

I got try out my skills at the balance beam with Grandma and Grandpa's help.

Grandma and I sat down and enjoyed listening to the Very Hungry Caterpillar book complete with puppet and props. It was really cool.

Last Friday I went to my very first dentist appointment. My mom, the scrapbooker, brought her camera. I saw the camera and decided to pose for her in the waiting room. I wonder how many other mom's take pictures at the dentist.

The visit started with me showing the dental hygenist how I brush my teeth. I was a big fan of the small mirror, because I got to look at my favorite person, Cassidy. (Or as I say Sassidy)

The dental hygenist showed me how her toothbrush worked. She was very nice and told me eveyrthing she was doing.

They put this purple stuff on my teeth so Mom and I could see what spots we don't brush well enough. Mom thought that was pretty cool. Now we'll be brushing my gum line better.

Showing off my nice clean teeth to the dentist when she came in.

I wasn't done yet, the dentist had to examine my teeth and count them. She said I was ahead of schedule with my molars. That's funny since I was a little late to get my first tooth. She said I have caught up and passed others my age. I only have three more molars to come in.

Mom made me pose with my dentist and dental hygenist. The dentist asked mom what she did to prepare me for the visit. She said, "Uh, I said okay let's go to the dentist." The dentist and dental hygenist were amazed because I was so good. I listened when they wanted my mouth opened, I didn't cry. I was very brave. I even got two huge stickers at the end of the visit. Mom says it's further reason why I'll be an only child. She doesn't think there is any way a second child could be as easy going as I am, and she and Dad wouldn't know what to do.

Last weekend we went to Dixon for a visit; we hadn't been there in quite awhile. Saturday morning we went to the coffee shop and met mom after her run. Aren't my Aunt Jen and I adorable?

On the walk home from the coffee shop we stopped by the fire department to see Uncle Brian who was in on a call. Ellie showed me the fire trucks. It wasn't anything new for Emily so she didn't want to pose for a picture.

Then we headed up to Emily's playground. Her mom and dad built it in their backyard, and it is awesome. Emily, Isaac and I played for awhile. We will definitely be going back to visit Emily again soon. I guess it's a good thing I have a park across the street or Mom and Dad would have to build me something like this.

Emily also has this cool roller coaster toy. We all took turns riding on it. Isaac helped us little girls to get one safely and then he pushed us down the ramp.

Later after my nap we went to Aunt Jen's house so Isaac could show me how he rides a bike now and to get a gator ride. Here we are headed out on a gator ride.

Isaac even let me try my hand at driving it. He had to help me push the pedal every once and awhile, and steer. This driving this is new to me, but I sure did enjoy it.

Aren't we adorable. Isaac may look scared in this picture, but he really was having fun. We even got the gator stuck on a hill and then he brought his three wheel trike to pull me out. It was really fun playing with Isaac.

All in all I've been having a lot of fun over the last few weeks. Now that fall is upon us we'll be busy with football, apple orchards, and pumpkin farms. Mom has so many things she wants us to do, but our weekends book up so fast. Sorry no pictures from our first NIU game this year (they won), but it was rainy and cold. Our next game is in a couple of weeks, we'll get pictures then.

Birthday Party Fun

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone for coming to my birthday party. We really missed the Minnesota Schahls and Uncle Andrew and Aunt Wendy. We wish you could have been here with us.
Mom, Dad and I before everyone sang Happy Birthday.

The dessert table. Notice my 2 year picture in the background. They turned out nice if I do say so myself.
Mom made and decorated me this really cute lady bug cake. She had fun with it, but says she's worried about what next year's cake will be because by then I'll be able to start requesting things, and then her cake decorating will really be put to the test.
She also make these cupcakes. I was partial to the ladybug spots, "chocolate chips"

Aunt Jen helped me to enjoy my cupcake. I was very clean at first...but I was still cleaner than my cousin Emily when all was said and done.

Even though there were some crazy storms we still made it to the park during the party. Aunt Marmo was the smart one who brought the towel to dry everything off. Mom and Aunt Chris have lots of pictures of Emily and I at these swings. They said they will have to chronicle us growing up with pictures at these swings. We go there every time they visit.

Emily and her parents got me bath paints, bubble bath, pajamas, and a bath xylophone for my birthday. We tried them all out the next night. I LOVE the paints. Watch out Emily I hear mom wants to get you some for your birthday now :)


The xylophone sticks can be used for playing an instrument and for painting. Very versatile.I was enjoying my snack and juice on the porch the other night after school and I told Mom to get her camera and take my picture. I knew I was being cute and she'd want to capture it. Mom agreed, I was right.