Happy November!

Well, it's warmed up here! And we've been going on all sorts of adventures the last few days, so I have a ton of pictures to put up! Today we went to Lititz, which is about 35 minutes northeast of where we live. It's a gorgeous old town with a lot of cute shops and great buildings. We got there kind of later in the day, so a lot of the places were closed. We walked around, though, and had a good time. I found a used book shop that's REALLY cool. I can't wait to go back. I bought some children's books for Annie. So, the picture above is of an inn--and in the bottom right corner of the picture is a statue carved right out of a tree!

Annie had a lot of fun just rolling around in her stroller!


Taking a break to play with Daddy.


A girl's boarding school--as it says, the "Oldest in His Majesty's Colonies."






We also went to a park along the Susquehanna today--Chickies Rock, it's called--and there was a trail to an overlook. There was a huge group of Mennonites walking along the trail, and we had a great time chatting and showing off Annie. :)
The overlook at the end of the trail.




Exploring the woods along the trail.





These pictures are a little backwards . . . the rest of these are from yesterday, Halloween! Annie and I spent most of the afternoon on campus with Brant. He got a lot of work done on his term papers, and I finished watching the West Wing! 7 seasons--and we've watched them all since Annie was born--a true accomplishment. Halloween was pretty uneventful, honestly. The kids trick or treat on the Thursday before Halloween (to keep crime under control or something), so yesterday we just had a restful evening inside, once we got back from campus.
Campus at sunset!

Annie's Halloween photo shoot on the sofa!





warm afternoon on the front porch


sleeping soundlessly in Brant's arms



So, it's November now! In other news, Brant found out the book review he wrote for The International Journal of the History of Sports has been accepted for publication! His classes are going great, and his teachers are being really helpful in his search for scholastic opportunities. Tomorrow we're going down to Maryland for a dinner at my aunt's house. Chicken pot pie, a tradition! yumm!

Feels like Fall

Hi! The past few days have been sooo cold! Yesterday was windier than any times I can remember, and the temperatures have been in the 40s all day long. Brrr! This morning I planted 50 bulbs, though! I was so happy to get it done. The ground was wet from Monday, when it rained all day long, but I bundled up big time and worked outside for a few hours. It was a lot of fun. Memphis played the whole time too.

Brant made an appearance outside just for a few seconds . . . He had to stay active to keep warm! :)


Afterwards Memphis and I went running around Royalton. Without gloves or a hat, I was too cold to run as long as usual. Memphis was pretty tired afterwards! He's set up watch at the side window. But it looks like he couldn't stay awake to monitor his post!


Brant and Annie now have this funny game they play. He grabs her hands then throws them out from her body. It used to startle her, but now she just giggles. :)

Annie turned 8 weeks old yesterday!


I like the look she's giving the camera in this picture.


Annie is trying to experiment with sucking her thumb while she thinks no one's looking. ;-) So far it hasn't caught on, and she just makes faces like her thumb tastes yucky. Kinda' cute!

Stay warm, everybody!!

Great Weekend!

Hi everyone! Well, we had a really fun weekend, but I was sad I didn't take more pictures! So I'm just posting a bunch of recent Annie pictures. :) On Friday night we went to our ward Fall Shindig. It was a chili cookoff, so Brant made up a DELICIOUS pot of chili! There was also a cake walk, and Annie and I won a huge caramel apple cake the very first time we walked around the circle! She's my good luck charm! I wasn't sure how long Annie would last being happy at the party, but she was awake and happy the whole time! There were so many people there (the Bishop said about 160 or so people came--a lot more than showed up at our ward parties in Provo!) Annie had so many things to look at and hear. Music was playing the whole time. On Saturday we got up and drove down to Gettysburg to spend the day with my parents. Brant and I went to see . . . High School Musical 3!! Hahaha it was SO much fun! My parents watched Annie, so they had a blast, too! Then my dad grilled up some pork tenderloin, which was some of the best we've ever had! We ended up hanging around their house pretty late. It was so relaxing--plus Annie tried out the baby swing in their basement (she promptly fell asleep in it), and I got to go through my dad's book collection! Sunday was church. Nine of our ten sunbeams were there, and all the kids were super wound up from performing in the primary program during sacrament meeting. WOW it was hard to get them focused during class. Brant told some good stories, but by the time we went home from church, we were exhausted! Plus Brant had stayed up ALL night long watching West Wing. :)
She is now totally aware of the mobiles above her crib and pack -n- play. She was so content to just stare at the mobile for a long long time.


Annie was being really alert and thoughtful in her pack -n- play today. She wasn't kicking around and laughing as much as she normally does. She was being so cute.


Here she was playing with her hands and "talking" to herself.


All cuddled up in her swing.


We put her in a turqouis sleeper--she looked great in the color!


I think it looks like she's movin and groovin in this picture. :)

Halloween Parade!

Annie's been so sleepy today! She seems to be going through a growth spurt--it's hard work! Brant was studying all morning, and Annie was very obliging by sleeping the whole time. :)


The Middletown Halloween Parade was tonight. Brant had to be in class all night, but my mom came down, so Annie and I went with her. It was a little chilly--not too bad, just enough to make it really feel like an autumn night. The parade was a HUGE deal! So many people were out on the streets, and there were amazing floats and costumes and performers! So fun! It made me really feel happy to live here.
Annie had so much fun at the parade. She was awake the whole time and was so smiley. Her eyes were so wide as she watched the fire engines with all their flashing lights. And all the music was great!

Meeting Great Gram

Today we drove over to Lancaster with my parents to visit my grandmother. So Annie got to meet her great grandmother! Annie is the third great granddaughter on the Quinn side. No great grandsons yet! Afterwards we drove down the road to Conestoga, PA, where they were holding a fall festival at the local historical society. We watched lots of old fashioned craftsmen and tradesmen. The best part about the day was the drive along the Susquehanna. I discovered some really cool old towns along the river. :)

And video!

Both of these videos are when Annie is about 6 weeks old.

Pictures!

Along the Susquehanna River in downtown Harrisburg

On Annie's blessing day!

Annie on her blessing day with Grandma Cindy!

In Amish country!

Strolling along the river downtown