Birthdays and Fall days

I really need to post more often so I don't have as much to post at one time.
Also, sorry if this is picture overload for anyone reading this - this is kind of our family journal and I like to have pictures and videos to go with the stories!
But here goes.

Fall is in full swing here in western Pennsylvania, and it is beautiful.

We have had a fun month so far. We started out with Sean's birthday. We had Sean's meal request (chicken curry - shout out to Sheryl!) and cake and ice cream with our little family. I don't make cakes very often (or ever) so I was pretty proud of myself for making this yummy cake (hence the picture). It helped that it was pretty easy to make. Sean and I went on a date to Red Robin the day before too, which was so nice. He is officially 26! He thinks he is so old now... ha!

Madison's face... classic

Another fun thing we did was to take a Sunday drive to North Park Lake in McCandless, PA (about 20 mins away) and walk around by the lake, see the pretty fall colors and enjoy the fresh air. There also was a little playground there that Madison thoroughly enjoyed.

Madison went down the slide

Then Sean went down

Then they went down together

They are pretty much best buddies

She's also my buddy

Then we went to an early Halloween party at some friends in our ward's house, the Teeters. We learned the Thriller dance, which I will not post pictures of because I look lost and confused in all of them (you can find me tagged in them on Facebook though). My dance skills leave much to be desired. But we had a lot of fun. Sean and I were Skittles (easiest costume EVER) and Madison was a monster - also easy since we already had the little cape.

We ordered Sean's hoodie thinking it was going to be yellow... it looks like it in the picture right? Wrong. How about NEON green??

Then we had a visit from some turkeys, lurking around dangerously close to Thanksgiving. Who knows why they have been wandering around our neighborhood, but they have been in our yard a couple times now. Deer, been there. Cats, maybe. But turkeys? So we took lots of pictures. They just kind of wandered around, sniffed about... (do turkeys sniff??)... and then sat down like they were making themselves right at home for a while. So Madison and I enjoyed some turkey gazing.

Front yard

Backyard

Madison and her turkey friend

Just chillin

Lastly, we went to Simmons farm this last Saturday with our friends the McCulloughs and the Morrisons. We picked apples in the orchard, went on a hayride, picked out pumpkins, played in some corn, and froze our little hinies off. Then to end the night we pigged out at Texas Roadhouse. It was such a fun day!

Hayride and picking pumpkins

Picking apples

Madison's favorite might have been the corn, to be honest. But she really loved it all - she is such a joyous little girl. We love her so much.

We also went and saw Meet the Mormons this month (we brought Madison along with us, which actually didn't turn out too bad) and we loved it. What an inspiring movie of all types of people joined in the same faith, just trying to live their lives and be the best they can be. Definitely inspires you to examine yourself and your own faith - and reminds you that us Mormons (and all people in general!) come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and backgrounds. We are all trying to do our best, and there is so much love we can give to one another.

In other news, Sean got his first calling in our ward - he is the new ward executive secretary. I think the tally is now executive secretary, home teaching six families, wife and child, and let's not forget law school. I could list a lot more things, but this is one busy guy - and he has his first midterm exam this week. He is my hero. Go, Sean, go!!

I now officially have a job with Maxim Healthcare Services. I will be going to various businesses spreading joy - a.k.a. giving flu shots to their employees. I have completed orientation, bought my lab coat, and am ready to start working. However, this is a per diem job and all the October flu clinics are taken, so I am waiting for the November email to hopefully pick up some shifts. It's not much, but it's a start, and it's some RN experience to put on the good old resume. I am still applying for full time jobs, and hoping something works out there so we can actually earn some money. In the meantime, however, we are immensely grateful to our Heavenly Father and our little pad of savings for sustaining us. I am also enjoying being at home while it lasts!!

Madison is just the light of our lives. She LOVES to read books, that has been her favorite thing lately. With or without us - we will read them to her, then after a while she has them memorized so she can just flip the pages and basically read it to herself. She has a cute one we borrowed from the library called Dinosaur, Dinosaur that is her favorite right now. We will probably be renewing it. She is also learning to recognize more letters of the alphabet, and Dr. Seuss's ABC book plus her Leapfrog ABC toy have been fun for that. Also a tall tale book we have about Ma and Pa farmer and their sweet potato is another favorite. She loves books, singing all kinds of songs, watching Daniel Tiger and Curious George, playing at playgrounds, and just being downright adorable. One of these days I will capture her singing on video, because it is my favorite thing ever.

Well, we continue to have good experiences, and interesting experiences, and learn every day. I'm so grateful for my family, my good friends, the gospel, and to be alive and well.

Here are a few more of my favorite pictures from the last few weeks.

Madison and daddy have been taking a lot of selfies together lately -- "us-ies", if you will

Madison attempting a Lavell Edwards face

Here's an "us-ie" they didn't know about ;) family naptime... aren't they the cutest?

Madison drew a picture and pointed out Madison, Addie, and a rocket. Girl's got talent!

Playing in her monster costume cape

Taught herself a new trick... called tennis ball between neck and chin. Madison the Magnificent!

Working on those painting skills and loving every minute of it!

Mommy and me playtime swinging "spider" style

"Mommy, look, baby doll on my lap! Take a picture us! Cheeeese!!"

Madison made a new friend with our next-door neighbor's dog April (our neighbor's name is Faith). This is a big step for Madison - she does not usually like to be that close to any animal! April is a good friend to have, she is the nicest dog.

And of course lots of Maddie and Addie playtime! Janelle took Madison while I went to orientation for work, and joined some of her friends at Phipps Conservatory for storytime. Madison talked about it all day.

Madison was "zoom"ing around like a superhero (learned this from Daniel Tiger) making watching conference a little tricky! She was zooming all around, I wish I would have got a better video of it. But here's a taste.

Saying hi to the turkeys