Remembering "The Incident"

It's been exactly one year since "the incident" that caused Chloe to lose her front tooth.


She became my little Halloween Jack-O-Lantern....


I was in true mourning for a couple of weeks because of this. I missed her smile. I felt SO GUILTY.

But now, Chloe's smile is PERFECT. Her smile makes ME smile (insert song that is playing on my playlist right now - LOVE IT!!!).

Sometimes it's hard because I frequently have to explain how she lost it. It usually goes something like this: "I'm a bad mom and she fell." Sad, but true.

Now her smile is just a part of who she is. Her smile and I have a lot in common.... we're imperfect, but that's okay! ;)

Freaky Friday

We have been in full-force Halloween festivities around here. Even though Chloe's preschool class encouraged the kids to dress up just one day this week, Chloe went with some sort of disguise every day of the week! I'm always in a rush in the mornings to hurry and get Chloe on the bus then rush off to work, so this is the only time I remembered and had time to snag a picture. What a silly girl!!!.....


Friday seemed to be a big Halloween day. Most of my co-workers dressed up. These people crack me up. Even though I wish I didn't have to work, since I do, I'm in the right spot. I adore the people and like what I do! Here is one of the doctors and PA's in their costumes. They are hysterical!!!....



Chloe and I stopped by a few parties Friday night. Here are some pictures from our friends Ryan and Kendra's party. Chloe adores Kendra! (who wouldn't?!?!)....

I loved Ryan and Kendra's get-ups. Ryan was a white trash wrestler and Kendra was his honey. Think Nacho Libre with a girlfriend - sooooo funny!!!....

Good news. Friday the high school football team Oby coaches lost their game. And since it was the play-offs, that means it was his LAST game! I know I might be a bad person for being happy about that, but oh well. I like spending time with my hubby. And with Oby in school, both of us working, and all the other craziness, we don't get to be together much. Now with high school football out of the way, that's a few more precious hours we can be together!

Grammy's Girls

I raided my mom's camera today and found these pix of Chloe. Chloe has so much fun while she's with Grammy, she is Grammy's girl!





Chloe and I have taken turns being very sick the past couple of weeks, but since that didn't mean I could take a day off work, my mom stepped in and helped out even more than usual with Chloe. Chloe had a slumber party so I could get some sleep one night....


And Chloe stayed home from school one day when she was sick, but (gasp!) had fun playing with Papa and Jake on the motorcycle!....


Grammy's other girls stopped by for a quick visit this weekend. We wish Aspen and Izabella lived closer, we LOVE playing with them!!!....



I'm SO grateful Chloe has such special relationships with all of her grandparents. I never had that, and it is fun to see. She's one lucky girl!

Boo Bash

Chloe was being extra mischievous at Nana's Halloween party tonight. She would NOT look at the camera! She would either close her eyes or look away..... and giggle! Oh, she is so naughty! Good thing she's cute!!! She makes me smile....

The girls were so excited to see each other in their beautiful costumes....

Chloe - ladybug & Izzy - mermaid

Sally - peacock, Chloe - ladybug & Izzy - mermaid

And here are the wheelchair pals - so cute....

Chloe & Great Grandpa Phil

We are having so much fun this Halloween season. But I don't know what it is with me.... The second fall hits, I start listening to Christmas music and planning my shopping lists. Tis the season, I suppose!

Bootiful!

Even though it has been SO hard leaving Chloe while I go to work, it has been SO comforting to know that she is happy and well taken care of. While I'm at work, she's either at preschool, at Grammy's house or at Nana's house..... pretty much her 3 favorite places!

The other day, while she was at Nana's house, her cousin Izzy came over. They played dress-up -- complete with raiding Nana's jewelry, makeup and hair supplies. Later they made Halloween cupcakes. Chloe's shirt says "bootiful," and it was meant to be because don't they look bootiful!?!?....

Spooky Silliness

Chloe LOVES Halloween!....

She likes that things around here have become
{a little spooky} and
~ very silly ~

like how her piggy bank and teddy bear are in disguise
and the usual lamp has become a candelabra!....

Her picture also has a disguise!....


Even one of the pumpkins is in costume....


Chloe thinks her mummy is very silly and witches you a Happy Halloween!!!....


Bats all folks!!!! Mwah-hah-hah-hah!

little chloe. BIG DREAMS!

Chloe has a pair of pajamas that say, "little girl, BIG DREAMS!" That's the saying that comes to mind when I see these pictures.....

This is Chloe at her first business meeting. She looked so little sitting there, it just cracked me up! This was a meeting with a big local business (Energy Solutions) to discuss their possible involvement in the playground. Chloe was professional and the meeting was a success. She was flirting with all the men in the room, which I've got to teach her -- it's okay to do if you're sly about it, but don't be so obvious! lol! Instead of a blackberry, she had a storybook. She only giggled twice during the conference call. There's room for improvement, but I think she did great for her first meeting!

Things are coming right along with the playground. We've had some pretty big hiccups with our plan, but we are not deterred. We have edited our plan and increased our resolve. We've got loads of supporters and are moving forward in a positive direction! None of it would be possible without Chloe, though. She's the central figure. Not many 3-year-olds can demand attention in a room of business big wigs. This little girl has a bright future ahead of her!

Come As You Aren't

We attended our first Halloween party this past weekend. I love Halloween for many reasons, but especially wearing costumes. What can I say -- I'm a sucker for pretending to be someone I'm not.

There was fog in the room for dramatic effect, which was cool except it made it hard to get many good pictures. We managed to snag these cute ones, though. Chloe was an adorable lady bug, Oby was a Jesse James-ish thug and I was a pirate -- argh!....

All About Your Heart

I don't mind your odd behavior
It's the very thing I savor


If you were an ice cream flavor
You would be my favorite one

My imagination sees you
Like a painting by Van Gogh


Starry nights and bright sunflowers
Follow you where you may go

Oh, I've loved you from the start
In every single way


And more each passing day
You are brighter than the stars


Believe me when I say
It's not about your scars


It's all about your heart

You're a butterfly held captive
Small and safe in your cocoon


Go on you can take your time
Time is said to heal all wounds

Oh, I've loved you from the start
In every single way


And more each passing day
You are brighter than the stars
Believe me when I say
It's not about your scars


It's all about your heart

Like a lock without a key
Like a mystery without a clue
There is no me if I cannot have you



Oh, I've loved you from the start
In every single way


And more each passing day
You are brighter than the stars
Believe me when I say
It's not about your scars


It's all about your heart

Holy Moly, We Love Fall!

Yesterday was my cousin's wedding. It was outdoors at his parent's home in Liberty and it is just beautiful there....




Then today the Bennett family met at their traditional spot in Harrisville to listen to general conference. Chloe loves being in the mountains. It's like she knows she's a little bit closer to heaven....





Hooray for fall!!!