So Thankful

This past year God has blessed us in so many ways.  Maryssa is getting ready to turn 2 this month and its hard to think where we were three years ago!  Her recent thing is "I want to climb Mommy."  Climbing she is and sometimes not in the safest situations as you can see below.  Not pictured is her recent escape from her crib.  We are loving the video monitor has we can catch her in the act.  The debate of hoping she stops climbing out over moving her to a toddler bed is on.  We'll have to see what happens in the next week.

She's standing on the stand for the umbrella.

Just learned to climb on the playground at Chick fil a.  She was so proud of herself and loves playing in the tunnel and slide.

Hanging out on the tractor at a local farm.

Maryssa is also full of personality and you can see the pure joy on her face.  She is in love with Micky Mouse Clubhouse, reading books, playing outside and spending time with friends and family.

Loves her Minnie. 

She will read all night if she could.  It happens to be one of my favorite sights of the day.  Her wonderfull Daddy spending time reading bible stories to my precious little girl.

Playing with Taylor at the farm.  It was a cold day but the girls had a blast running around and seeing the animals.

We got a chance to see Laura swim at U of M.

Well with the fall comes the leaves.  Last year we tried to get Maryssa to play in the leaves but she really didn't enjoy it.  Well this year has been a complete 180.

Fun-tober

Over the past few months we have been busy watching our former club players compete on their high school teams.  Maryssa has a blast listening to the crowds, watching the mascots dance around and of course watching volleyball.  Here she is climbing up and down.

She had a blast going up and down.

We also traveled down to Doswell to celebrate Aunt Kristie's birthday.  It's great being able to take Maryssa out in the woods and to play in the barn in the hay the way we use to.  She had a great time exploring and climbing....climbing seems to be here thing these days.

Climbing on the tractor.

Well this is the famous Maryssa face.  So glad to capture it on camera.  What a little drama girl.  She makes me laugh.

Maryssa looking in the trough while Roxie stands guard.

A look at the farm.  I loved growing up with all this land to explore.

Helping Aunt Kristie blow out the candles.  Happy Birthday!

After many months of trying, our schedule finally worked out that we could participate in a dedication service at church.  Along with a few other families, we dedicated to raise Maryssa in a home that would teach her about God.  She was so excited to stand on stage and really liked the lights and buttons on the panel for the electric guitar.  It was a challenege to keep her from touching the buttons without causing a scene, but in all she did a great job.  We are suppose to get pictures and a video so I will post them once I get a chance.  Here are a few from our lunch after.

With Nana and Papa

Enjoying a cupcake....she still shoves as much food in her mouth as she can.

With her Godmother, Auntie Kristie.

Her 2nd cousin Leo playing in the backyard.

We have also been able to spend lots of time with Maryssa's friend Taylor.  Our dear friend Jason has been battling esophageal cancer of there past few months.  Although I would never want anyone to get this nasty disease, it's been amazing to share in their journey.  If you have a minute to check out their blog I promise it won't be a waste of time, http://wilestrials.blogspot.com/ .  While Jason and Megan travel for Jason's chemo, Maryssa gets to spend time with her buddy Taylor.  It's great to see these girls play together and the friendship they have.

Putting the girls to work, cleaning the house.

Rolling down the hill in the backyard.  What a great workout, as they had to climb back up to do it again.

Thanks to the help of family, Eric and I were able to get away for a weekend.  We traveled up to NJ to and celebrate the wedding of a friend from college and his wonderful bride.  Peanut and Eric played volleyball together.  Although we don't get to see him a lot, we have such a great time together.  The wedding weekend was busy but so many amazing times were had.  After the rehersal, we headed back to the hotel to hang out and found tables set up to welcome the San Diego Chargers!  We hung out in the lobby and watched the players come in.  A few chatted with us and Peanut got a picture with Norv Turner.  I was also able to touch base with a friend who is an agent in the NFL and even got to see him Sunday morning!  The wedding was beautiful and I have never been to such an elegant reception.  We were spoiled rotten all evening with every food you can think of.  Eric and I had a great time to spend some time together as a couple, even though we missed our little girl. 

Jen practicing her entrance.

Welcome Chargers.

The beautiful couple!

Celebrating in the car on the way to the reception.

Date night

We also made a trip to the pumpkin patch.  The first time we tried it was raining and cold out, so we had to wait until later in the afternoon.  Thankfully the sun was out and we were the only ones at the farm for most of the time.  Maryssa was a little princess and wanted to be pulled around in the wagon for most of the time, but eventually got out to explore.

Taking a ride.

That's a big pumpkin..can I bring it home?

The whole family and our pumpkins

Hanging out on the big spider.

"It's heavy.  It's heavy.  I got it."

Beautiful sky.

Off to find the perfect pumpkin.

Even got to feed a calf.

First pumpkin carving experience.  She loved pulling the guts out.

Our scarecrow, pumpkins, ladybug and bumble bee.

Minnie Mouse, fish and cross, and Maryssa pumpkins

And Fall Begins...

September came and went.  We started the month with a trip to the zoo.  It was beautiful outside on the day we planned to go despite the 2 weeks of rain before that.  The animals were very active and the kids had a ball. 

The elephant was down so close.  This has to be one of Maryssa's favortie animals
 and the sound she makes for him is so funny.

It's a bird.  It's a plane.  No it's an........

Orangutan traveling on the o-line above the park.

Tried to get a picture of all three kids, but you can see how it turned out.

A pretty good picture if I do say so.

Always a favorite for Maryssa.  She loves fish.

We also did some fun things around Frederick.  In the Streets is a big event at the beginning of the month where all the local businesses come out on the streets of downtown Frederick and people can walk around and look at crafts, buy yummy food, listen to music, get free facepaint and animal balloons.  We always enjoy checking out what our beautiful town has to offer.

Enjoying her ice cream and balloon dog.

Oh so happy.

Maryssa and I went to Gaver Farms to play and check out the animals.  We had a blast in the corn pit, slides, racing ducks with water pumps, jumping on the giant pillow, playing on the play ground and watching all the animals.  She got a kick out of the turkey gobbling at her.  I guess true Hokies just love a good gobble.

Giant Pillow...one of my favorites.

Sandbox fun.

Everybody loves a deere.

A few more years before she really gets to ride one.

Using an old water pump to race rubber ducks down the ramp.

Hop Hop goes the bunny

Days around the house are full of digging in the dirt, dance parties, make believe with her little people, dress up and much more.

Maryssa digging with her best bud Taylor.

So beautiful.

Flowers are a girls best friend :)

We also had the privilege to witness my dear friends Julie and Paul's wedding.  It was a beautiful evening celebrating their love.  The wedding was in Richmond, so Nana and Papa took Maryssa for the night and Kristie drove us around town.  Love these two pictures.

Fall means time for the Great Frederick Fair!  Fried food, ice cream, animals and rides.  My favorite part is the funnel cake, while Maryssa loved all the animals and the rides.  She was big enough to ride on a train and some bears that spun around.  She loved them both and screamed when we had to leave.

Waving to Mommy from the train.

Choo Choo

Spinning around in circles.

The month came to a great end with my 30th birthday party.  Eric planned a great time with a corn hole tournament.  I was so happy to celebrate with family and friends.

Watching the games with the beautiful babies.

Let the games begin.

Even the kids loved to play.

There were way to many candles to blow out.