Dedication and Pumpkin Parade

We had a wonderful weekend -- the extension of a great family tradition with Pumpkin Fest weekend in Sycamore and the celebration of dedicating Rayna to the Lord at church on Saturday night. What an honor it was for us to make a promise in front of family, friends, and our entire church family to raise Rayna according to God's Word and to be an example to her of Godly character. It was a special time for all of us.

The beautiful princess all dressed up for church!

Pumpkin Fest attire. :o)

Rayna and me at her first Pumpkin Fest Parade (it was chilly!)

She was wore out 1/3 into the parade and took a snooze.

Bath time fun! She loves the spray nozzle hose. :o)

Pumpkin Time

I just uploaded some pictures to my Facebook of Rayna decorating her first pumpkin. The album is public and can be viewed here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=44610&l=b31fb&id=515728714

Enjoy! :o)

6 Months Old

Six months ago we were at Delnor hospital relishing in this new life the Lord blessed us with. And 6 months later, we're celebrating what a joy she is in our lives! We had a fun day together today -- getting some pictures taken at the Picture People (where she got to indulge in a little chocolate), a little shopping at Babies R Us, and a special date with her daddy.

Click on this link, if you're interested in seeing the 6 month photo shoot at the Picture People:
http://smilestore.picturepeople.com/my/images?tk=2e5b248a-0091-43ac-a1e0-a25002979b8d

Daddy thought it would be fun to put his fleece on me.
Big Smiles
Holding my own bottle

Daddy took me to the park on a special date --

it was a beautiful fall day with lots of pretty leaves.

I loved swinging!

Mommy bought me Curious George.

I'm giving him some love. :o)

Giggles

Cousin Kody and Cousin Sarah making Rayna giggle :o)

The Giant Sleepover

We had a wonderful time this weekend with a bunch of my family from MN coming to visit and meet Rayna for the first time. We had yummy meals, great laughs, a family recipe book made, and so much more -- great memories! :o)

Here's the whole crew that was here -- 22 in all.
Rayna's Great Aunt Janet, Grandma Jean,

Cousin Melissa, and Cousin Cameron (6 wks younger than Rayna)

Cameron & Rayna
Grandma Jean and her sisters and sisters-in-law
The morning breakfast crewThe lunch/baby shower crew

The supper crew

Cousins Kody, Cara, and Kaylee

Kaylee, Rayna, and Cara

We had to put all the air mattresses on the pool table

when we were working on our family recipe books.

Pics from last week

Kitchen fun with Daddy

Me and Daddy after bath
I've been sticking my tongue out and making raspberries a lot lately!

Apple Orchard, Rolling Over, and more!

On Sunday we took our annual trip to the Apple Orchard in Poplar Grove. It was a beautiful day and Rayna was such a good girl.

On Wednesday night, Rayna finally rolled over from her back to her tummy! She's been so close, rolling up on her side, for the last month and a half. She finally pushed that last 5% to flip to her tummy.

She continues to do well with her veggies and cereal. We have a couple more veggies to try and then will move on to fruit. :o)

Family Photo at Edwards --

last year Rayna was just a peanut in my tummy when we were here.

The petting zoo at the Orchard.

Cousin Dessa giving Rayna a kiss.

Tractor funWe hope to take a picture of Rayna with this scarecrow each year.

Turkey Time

Mommy love...

Cutey Patooty! Bundled up for this cool fall weather.

I guess her food wasn't coming fast enough --

she was trying to eat the highchair. :o)

She loves to rub her dad's buzzed hair. It makes her giggle. :o)
She's moving and shaking these days. When I laid her down with her jungle her head was facing the same was as the lion. Somehow she twisted herself around almost 180 degrees and was pushing her feet on the bars at the top. It was pretty hilarious!