Child of the corn

From pumpkin patch

Remember how the children of the corn were all super-blonde? That's what I was thinking about on the LONG corn maze we did last week.

We went to a really cute, homey pumpkin patch, where Anne Marie picked out two pumpkins- one for her and one for her baby brother. It took awhile because there were nearly unlimited choices. We also got to see the farm animals, and Anne Marie sat still for a face painting, to the amazement of the face painter. I tell people she's not really a run-away type, but they don't believe me.

From pumpkin patch

From pumpkin patch

It took me forever to post this because we were down sick last week (I still am down, and see no immediate recovery). Anne Marie got her second double-ear infection in October, and was in so much pain that she didn't sleep AT ALL for two nights. Now she's on antibiotics again and seems to be feeling pretty good, although she has become a tylenol addict. Every morning, nap time and evening, she starts crying, "hurt! Medicine!" Yesterday when I didn't relent (she was a happy baby until she saw the bottle), she actually asked me for ear drops. What child WANTS ear drops?

Anyway, I'm waiting for that golden moment when her immune system, which has taken a serious beating, starts giving her super-immunity. Everyone tells me if she is this sick now, she'll never be sick later. I don't really believe them, but I'm hoping.

Dang!

Denise wanted me to take pictures when it snowed. So, on Saturday afternoon, I took this:

From albuquerque and snow

I had to do something artsy, because in reality, there was only a bit of snow on the ground.

From albuquerque and snow

So imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning to this:

From albuquerque and snow

Dang! I'm not sure if I'm ready yet. October is kind of early for snow like that. Usually, we get a bit of snow early- just enough to cover grass blades, then it goes away until after Thanksgiving. This stuff is going to be around awhile.

On a sunnier note, I had a wonderful trip to Albuquerque last week! Here's the highlights:

We left Thursday night and stayed in Price, UT. Definitely nothing to note there.

The next day, we stopped at Arches National Park on the way to NM.

From albuquerque and snow

Anne Marie loved the picnic.

From albuquerque and snow

But her favorite part was the dirt.

on the ground...

From albuquerque and snow

Down her shirt:

From albuquerque and snow

And on her shoes.

From albuquerque and snow

I had to include this- I told Matt to pose by the beauty of nature. I did not purposefully place him next to a fallic rock.

From albuquerque and snow

Here's what Anne Marie did much of the way.

From albuquerque and snow

Finally, late at night, we got to Greg and Denise's house! It was a surprise for Greg, and when he opened the door, he just kept staring at us.

The next day, the poor almost-30 year old had to help prep for his birthday barbecue.

From albuquerque and snow

Roxy did what she could.

From albuquerque and snow

I was so happy to see Denise!

From albuquerque and snow

The barbecue was awesome, and I got to see one of our good friends, Andy. I feel sad now that I didn't take a photo! The next day, I got to spend a relaxing time with friends.

From albuquerque and snow

Anne Marie was as excited as Greg about his birthday cake!

From albuquerque and snow

She ate two pieces.

From albuquerque and snow

Greg liked it too.

From albuquerque and snow

All in all, a great weekend!

From albuquerque and snow

On the way home, Anne Marie partied like a rock star. She looks so much like Matt in these pictures:

From albuquerque and snow

From albuquerque and snow

From albuquerque and snow