Fall Fun and Lazy Afternoons

Can I just tell you how much I LOVE fall?!!! Ok, I know I've already said it a million times, but it's the best. And what I love even more about the cool weather and enjoying the outdoors without sweating is Tom's job. He gets off work around noon so that means we get to do a lot of family playing! Here is just a little of what we've been up to the last several days.

We decided to do a photo shoot of Miss Thang in this lovely weather and this was our bad attempt at a family photo. Oh well, it's all about Stella anyway...who wants to see us oldies.
If you dont think this is a cute picture than there is something wrong with you...look at the smile, such JOY!
She thought it was so fun exploring..which at times made it hard to get her to stand still for a picture.This cute little expression is Stella grinning at her daddy as he threatens to tickle her with the tickle monster.
OH the ANTICIPATION of the tickle monster!

This weekend there was a big craft fair in northwest Arkansas and since I thought the Hogs were going to get killed by Florida Stella and I decided to have a little mommy and me trip. We didn't buy anything, but we did do a lot of people watching and got some great ideas for the holidays.
This cracks me up. Stella has been fighting naps alot recently, but this is where I found her Saturday morning. Just chillin in her Hog gear..she loves this blanket and pillows.

Since daddy gets off work early everyday...we've taken advantage of the weather and either gone for a walk or most recently took Stella to the park. As you can tell she wasn't quite sure of that slide, but in the end she couldn't get enough of it!

Hope you are all enjoying this season! We love you!

PUMPKINS!!!!

What is this? The other day Grammie got Stella a pumpkin and she was just in awe of it when we were playing outside that I was eager to find a local pumpkin patch for us to visit.
Well, Tom knew of a guy so at last minute Friday afternoon we decided to see what it was all about. You see, I'm picky about pumpkin patches because growing up I went to pumpkin patches that served hot cider, had a train ride, hay mazes and LOTS of pumpkins. We weren't sure this would do the trick so we literally through on our sweatshirts, hats and decided we'd go find another one today if we didn't like it, but it wasn't too bad.
Stella was amazed at all the orange "balls" she saw as we got ready to go pick the perfect pumpkin.
Headed out...
Playing with daddy in the field.
All smiles for mama...this is fun!
The PERFECT pumpkin!
Headed back in to see how big our find is!
Not sure about these little ones.
The typical pose with pumpkins.
The guy that took this picture didn't zoom in, but you get the idea. We had a blast on our trip to the pumpkin patch. And I hate to admit it, but I love FALL so much that we might even check out another pumpkin patch before the season is over!
Now Stella has 3 pumpkins (she did pick out a little one too) to carve with daddy before Halloween.

Busy Weekends with Old Friends

The last couple weekends Tom and I have had a blast spending time with some of are Little Rock friends that have been in town. Last weekend it was the Barnards and Bakers. Stella was getting over a bug so no one actually stayed at our house to be safe, but we did have fun playing. The guys went to the game..GO HOGS! And the moms and babies went shopping. Well, not really, we walked around the mall and talked, but I had a blast!
And of course, we had to eat at Red Robin. In this picture Deacon looks like he's all about Stella and she's giving him the cold shoulder, but that wasn't the case at all. Stella was lovin her some Deacon and he really didn't seem to think too much of her :)
Deacon and Stella are a month apart so it's fun to see them interact more that they're at a more playful age.
Ok, sorry Deacon...Stella can be a bit rough!
And TWO weeks ago the Carters were in town for their college's homecoming, so Stella and Owen got a lot of playing time together in the evenings. They were SO cute to watch and all night I tried to get a picture of both of them looking at the camera, but missed it!

I love this picture because Owen's dad, Kyle, his telling Owen no in this picture and Stella is just giving him the eye like what's up with that and who are you?
Tom and I are such great entertainers that our house guests konk out. Even are dog was fond of them!

LOVE ALL YOU GUYS!!! OUR HOUSE IS ALWAYS OPEN FOR VISITORS!

Welcome Sawyer Jeffery Hart!!!!

Hey this is Stella...I've hijacked mommy's computer because she is taking forever to post about my new cousin. Sawyer Jeffery was born October 9th and is so you (as you can tell in the pictures). That is my new cousin with my other cousin Hunter. They are so fun!
He is a little guy and I'm sure I'll get to beat up on him at Christmas when the whole family is in Oregon.
That's my Aunt Booba and Uncle Beau. They are great parents and I think Sawyer is a lucky guy to have them as his mommy and daddy!
I'm glad Sawyer is here! Can't wait to meet you cuz! Love, Stella

Play, Play, Play & New Tricks

The other day I decided to grab the camera and snatch Miss Stella in action on a typical day. She is on the go all the time, so she played with everything. Here she's playing with daddy in her new tent and tunnel.
Doing a little shopping. She loves this shopping cart and if you look closely her little people (another favorite) are along for the ride.
I was a beautiful day to get outside so we enjoyed the fall like weather. Its so great that Tom gets off work around noon because we really get a lot of family time during the day.
For some reason when we say "oh my goodness" Stella does this! I don't know if she saw us do this once or what, but she started doing it when we were in Oregon and she's still doing it...so cute!
Drinking more from a sippy cup these days...she's still not quite sure what to think of the whole milk deal. :)
Enjoying more and more finger foods. As you can tell she likes the chicken the most since there is barely any left.
And this is her newest trick...ALL DONE. This is what she does when she is all done or when something is gone. We think she is the cutest thing ever!

LOVE YOU STELLA!