Tagged

So I've been tagged 3 times, and today I realized that if I don't do it now, I probably never will. Which, for awhile there, I was thinking that I just wouldn't ever do it. But I do enjoy reading other people's tag posts, so maybe some of you will enjoy reading mine. Let's get to it.

6 Things You May Not Know About Me:

1. I do not like being the center of attention. And this is probably why I've been so hesitant to do this tag post. I get nervous when I have to do things in front of people, although I usually seem to be able to pull it off just fine. One of my most embarrassing moments was in a drama class my junior year of high school. I seriously don't know what I was thinking signing up for drama. I guess I just needed to fill one more elective spot on my schedule and my art skills are even worse than my drama skills. Anyway, I won't go into too much detail about this embarrassing moment, but let's just say it involved me impersonating a fish on stage in front of everyone and ended with me storming out of class yelling, "I'm out of here!" Needless to say, I marched straight to the office and changed my schedule. So no, I don't like it when all eyes are on me. Although my next fact really contradicts this . . . .

2. I was a cheerleader in high school. Yes, it's true. But I loved it. All my best friends were cheerleaders with me (that's why I did it in the first place). I loved cheering at football games, practicing new stunts, competing in competitions, attending cheer camps, and choreographing dances to perform at rallys. It was so much fun. We also had to wear our uniforms to school every Friday which sometimes I was a little self-conscience in my skirt because . . . .

3. My right leg is crooked. Yep, I'm a little deformed. I'm not sure what part is actually crooked - it could be my knee. When I stand with my knees both straight my foot points out to the right. When I stand with my feet both straight, my knee points inward. It doesn't affect how I walk or run, which is good because . . . .

4. I love playing sports. Any sport. I haven't had much opportunity since I've been married and had kids, but I still love playing when I get the chance. I played basketball and softball in high school, and I also love playing volleyball. I did all kinds of intramural sports at BYU - so much fun! I still plan on taking tennis lessons sometime. I think it would be a fun hobby and great exercise.

5. My ears aren't pierced. I guess I just never wanted them bad enough.

6. I love to watch The Food Network. What can I say? There's just something so fun about watching someone else make delicious foods and imagining myself someday making them! I haven't watched it as much since we've moved, but I'll still sneak in a show now and then. My favorites: Everyday Italian, Barefoot Contessa, and Paula's Home Cooking. I wish I could say I was a great cook because of it . . . . but I guess I'm learning:)

"How big is Leah?"

"So big!"

I'm 3 now!

This post is according to the account of Annie; or in other words, I, Annie, wrote this post.

My birthday was November 1st. I'm 3 now!


That's me with my presents! Those are my cards. I loved my cards. I had a lot of presents! Grandma gave me lots of dishes for my kitchen and a white puppy. I named her Kelly. Grandma from Canada got me a princess dress.


That's my new kitchen! That's my fridge. It has two stoves, an oven, a sink, and pretend soap, and pretend trash. I love the sink. I put food in it. And the fridge.


I'm eating my cake! It was pink and had pink frosting, and yellow and blue and purple and orange sprinkle dots. And I had pink ice cream. It was yumm-O! I blew out my candles. My favorite part was taking them out and licking them.

Annie's Age 3 Favorites List:

Favorite color: pink

Favorite show: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Favorite food: candy necklaces, spaghetti, rice, pineapple, mac & cheese, apples

Favorite animal: zebra and elephant

Favorite movie: Robin Hood, The Sound of Music

Favorite story: The Little Gingerbread Man (she asks for this every night)

Favorite song: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Daddy (don't ask), I Love to See the Temple, Little Purple Pansies

Favorite game: I Spy with my Little Eye

Favorite thing to wear: princess dress

Favorite princess: Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty

Favorite place to go: preschool

Favorite thing to do at home: play computer games

My Little Bugs

Aren't my little bugs so cute? We loved our first Halloween here in Ohio! We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather. It was a beautiful clear night and everyone sat out on their porches or driveways to hand out candy. It was such a fun atmosphere. So many people decorate their houses and I've never seen so many trick-or-treaters! We loved going around in our new neighborhood. One family was having a huge BBQ and giving everyone chili dogs, chips, and drinks. So fun.


Sitting out on our driveway where we handed out candy.

Leaf Picking

After we went to the Circleville Pumpkin Show on Saturday, we drove another 1/2 hour south to check out Hocking Hills State Park. We've heard so many great things about this place, but we were still a little skeptical of these so called "hills" with Ohio being so flat. But we were pleased to find that yes, indeed, Ohio has a great place to go when we feel like enjoying the great outdoors. We went on a small hike to a waterfall (more like a drip at this time of year) and Annie had fun throwing rocks in the pool at the bottom. On our way out of the park we stopped at a lake because the trees were so gorgeous in color! We told Annie we were going to go "leaf picking." She has always loved leaves (she picks them up and carries them into the van everywhere we go), and she loved it when we went apple picking . . . . so, needless to say, this is now her new favorite activity! Which is fine with me . . . . it's easy AND cheap.

Leah loved the leaves as well . . . . although she was much more interested in eating them! She thought it was fun when we covered her legs with leaves and she would kick and kick to make them all rustle.

Circleville Pumpkin Show

Yesterday we went to Circleville, a little town about 45 minutes south that hosts an annual pumpkin festival (it was their 101st). There were several blocks of vendors, carnival rides, entertainment, and everything you can think of to eat made of pumpkin. We tried pumpkin donuts, fried pumpkin seeds, pumpkin waffles, and pumpkin ice cream. They also boast the world's largest pumpkin pie (although it wasn't as big as I was expecting, but it was made with 44 pounds of sugar). As you can see from the picture below, it is a pretty popular event here.

Ann Arbor

This past weekend we decided to head up to Ann Arbor, Michigan! It was only a 3 hour drive. Not bad at all. We stayed with our friends, Brett and Kim Brown. Brett is in the orthodontic program at University of Michigan. It was so fun to visit and see them again! We wanted to see Michigan during the fall and were hoping the trees would be vibrant with color, but I think we were a little too early due to the warm fall we've been having so far. But Michigan was still beautiful and it was so fun to check it out.

Dexter Cider Mill

The first place the Brown's took us was Dexter Cider Mill. It is the oldest operating cider mill in Michigan. They still make apple cider the same way they did over 120 years ago . . . . and it sure was good!! They also have incredible doughnuts and it was so fun to eat warm doughnuts and drink hot cider outside in the fall weather. YUMM - O!

Jenny's Farm Stand

Then we headed over to Jenny's Farm Stand, a cute little place with a pumpkin patch, hay maze, farm animals, pony rides, etc. Annie would not get near any animals (as usual) but she and Kody sure loved throwing hay all over Dan!

Annie and Leah with Mollie and Kody Brown

Hell, Michigan

Then we went to Hell. That's right, you heard me. Hell, Michigan. I mean, who would want to live in Hell? Not me. It's a small little town and they really like to play up the name. When we drove in, there was a huge motorcycle gang just leaving. I guess bikers like to hang out there.

University of Michigan

Finally, we drove around downtown Ann Arbor and the campus a little bit and decided to get out and walk around the Law Building. It was such a cool old building.

After our fun day of seeing Ann Arbor we all went back to the Brown's house to make dinner and watch a movie. To hear a funny/sad story about what happened at their house that night, click on Brett and Kim Brown's blog and read the post titled, "The Addict." Anyway, it was a great little trip!