So Moosical

(Her other cousins didn't get to see her on Halloween so Maylee gladly dressed up as a cow again.)

Vandal Cousins

(Even Cinder's collar is Vandal gear.)

Packing Herself

We went back down south for my cousin's wedding and Maylee thought it was great fun to pack herself for Grandma's house...

Halloween 2010

Since we live on a county road with no other kids around and don't get any trick or treaters, we decided to travel down to spend the weekend with family and provide a real trick or treating experience for Maylee.  On Saturday, Maylee got to play with cousin Jaxson who is six weeks younger than she is and we also got to see the new twin preemie cousins.  Maylee didn't get jealous when Kev or I held one of the twins.  She liked to give them little pats on the back to help burp them.  This picture shows perspective...Tessa is about six pounds (up from her 1 lb 13oz birth weight) and 12 weeks old.

 

We brought her special wooden bike down for her to play with at Aunt Betty's and she did a great job of sharing it with her cousins. 

She also found mini pumpkins at Aunt Betty's and brought them to me saying "puh-puh"...I was proud of her since these pumpkins were not exactly like her pumpkins at home!

Jaxson and his mama Tonya came over to see Grandma Julie's new house.  Maylee and Jaxson played really well together...

 

 

Since Halloween was on Sunday this year, Grandma Julie let Maylee wear her cow costume to church (given the choice between a dress or the cow - Maylee chose the cow, she always chooses the cow).  People at church thought she was a cute little cow.  Here she wanted the cow on over her pajamas and the next picture was taken right before church...

She also wore a hand-me-down costume from her older cousins for part of the day.  Here kitty, kitty...

 

 

We did some trick or treating and then spent some time at Aunt Betty's with cousins.  Maylee would walk up to doors and then want to go inside the houses.  She understood the idea of getting candy and that candy is food but she didn't want to put it in her bag...just hold it.  She actually sucked so hard on the mini chocolate candy bar Grandma Julie gave her that some chocolate started to come out of the seams!

 

 

 

Carving Her 1st Pumpkin

Maylee wasn't too sure about carving her pumpkin.  She enjoyed herself but didn't want to touch the slimy guts...only the seeds.  She copied me of putting the seeds in the bowl but then she decided to put them back in the pumpkin.  Cinder of course had to be in the action too and couldn't wait to eat some of the carved pumpkin pieces.  Maylee tried saying pumpkin but it comes out as "puh-puh."

 

 Seeds go in the bowl...

 

Seeds from the bowl back inside the pumpkin...

 Stirring the seeds and Cinder getting a bite...

 Sharing with Cinder
(got a new spoon after Cinder licked it)...

All the guts out...time for Mommy to carve it.

Cinder and Maylee checking out the pumpkins on the deck.  Maylee would point to them and say "puh-puh."

 Trying to put the lid on...

Hunting Camp 2010

It was another disappointing year for Kev and elk hunting...all he saw was wolf tracks in seven days!  However, we did have fun camping at hunting camp and Maylee enjoyed walking around and playing with her cousins.  For meals, Maylee sat in her portable high chair in the middle of Grandma Julie's and Grandpa Bruce's camper table...she loved being the center of attention.  The weekend before Halloween, Maylee really liked cousin Sarah's pumpkin that she carved.  We had good weather until the last weekend...taking down camp in the mud is a very dirty job.

(Uncle Wes bought the Baby Ski-Doo hat for his oldest daughter 11 years ago - sister of Sarah in the photo)

A Nice September Day

Maylee is quiet mobile now and exploring all the time!  On this day she enjoyed learning to walk on the slope of our side yard and practice going up and down our steps.  She also loves to swing!

 

 

 

Maylee's 1st Birthday

Maylee turned one on Friday, September 10th but we celebrated in Moscow on Saturday so that our relatives wouldn't have to drive all the way up to our house...plus, people could see my parent's new house.  We went down to Moscow Friday night and stayed up until midnight helping Mom unpack stuff.  Saturday morning I was totally shocked to find Shelly and Brother come out of the other guest room!!  What a wonderful and unexpected surprise!!

We chose a killer whale theme since that is the one thing we know that Maylee loves!  We also gave her a stuffed animal killer whale scented with coconut.

 

 

We put Maylee in a kiddie pool lined with a cheap table cloth (easy clean up).  She was amazed when everyone started singing Happy Birthday to her.  She put her toe in the cake first and it took her a while to realize she could eat it.  After she ate (mostly played with) her cake, I wrapped her up and took her straight to the tub.  She had a blast!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

After her bath, she went right back to playing and entertaining her 30+ guests!  It was a great party and she was a trooper to have a great attitude the whole time!  (The nap right up until party time helped.)

 

 

Maylee also enjoyed the chocolate chip cookie that Kathy W. gave her...