Hensler's Nursery

This post should have actually been before the pumpkin carving, but when you don't keep up with your blog regularly, you loose track of things like that.  Anyway, this year we went back to Hensler's nursery to get our pumpkins for Halloween carving.  This was our third year going.  It's not a huge place but we manage to have a great time and usually end of spending a couple hours there.  Bella had a great time playing on the wooden train and tractor they have there, plus the huge hay fort and slide.  We also had a blast watching the animals in the petting zoo area they have.  We probably stood for 15 minutes watching these two little goats attacking and head butted each other.  It was the funniest thing I've seen in a long time!!  We also took a horse drawn hay ride back to the pumpkin patch.  Every year we try to encourage Bella to pick a big pumpkin, but NO, she goes for the little ones.  She likes them her size!!  They also sell Christmas trees in the winter and they have a barn full of Christmas decorations and ornaments.  So Bella was able to get her new ornament for the year (we started a tradition the year she was born, getting her a new ornament to represent the year).  This year she got a ballerina!! 

Pumpkin Carving

This year we had our second annual Longanecker family pumpkin carve at our house.  Unfortunately, it was just me, Jason, Bella, and my mom and dad.  We had so much fun digging into our pumpkins and creating our designs.  Earlier in October, I found these cute little face things you just push into the pumpkin, so Bella picked one of those out for hers.  She chose a witch and it turned out cute.  It was too hard for her to push them in by herself so she had to tell me where she wanted the pieces and I pushed them in for her.

My dad always has a cracking up because for some reason he is obsessed with his pumpkins having ears.  He did this last year too!!  It's funny though when the pumpkin starts to rot.  The ears start to shrivel up and fall off.  Overall, we had a great time and I think our pumpkins turned out pretty good.  Can't wait to do it again next year!!

Halloween Party Performance

Every year the Plymouth Parks Department has a Boo in the Park Halloween party.  This is something free that is offered to the community.  Boy do the people turn out for this!!  Anyway, Bella's dance instructor had them perform at this outdoor event.  Bella's class danced to Casper the Friendly Ghost and they were all dressed like little ghost.  They looked so adorable!!  Of course, the rain held out until RIGHT as they were getting ready to perform.  Then the speaker/sound system wasn't working right so you could hardly hear the music.  For having all these issues, the girls still did a really great job!!  Unfortunately now, Bella doesn't have dance again until March...but next year is the BIG recital year so Bella will get to be all dressed up and look fabulous.  Can't wait!!  Here are some pics from the performance:

Nothing New

Not too much has been going on over the last month in the Standeford household.  Bella and I have both been fighting sinus infection.  Jason celebrated his 31st birthday on the 17th.  We took advantage of the nice days we had and got a lot of the yard work done to prepare for winter.  Other than that, nothing new.  We do however have a lot going on in the next couple weeks.  Bella has just finished up dance for the fall session.  She will be performing at a Halloween party on Oct. 26.  This weekend we will be going to the pumpkin patch and the zoo boo.  Then of course, we have trick or treat on Halloween night.  Bella is going to be a cheerleader this year.  So be looking forward to some new updates and pictures to come soon...

Coralynn Grace

Coralynn is our newest niece that joined the Standeford family on September 28.  We were lucky enough to go down the weekend after she was born to meet her.  We also got to spend lots of time with Nora and see Ann and Nellie too!  

Nora Sue getting so big

The Standeford Girls!!

Uncle Jason and Coralynn

Me and Coralynn

Fertility

For those who don't know, Jason and I have been trying to get pregnant again for quite awhile now with no success.  After suffering from endometriosis for 6 years now, I don't know if it has finally taken it's toll on my fertility or what is happening, but for some reason I'm not ovulating regularly, if at all.  I went to my OB last week and he has decided to put me on the fertility drug Clomid.  It's a very timed out process but a lot easier and less expensive than most.  This is the last resort for us in trying to conceive our own child.  If this doesn't work then we will be done.  There is no way we could possibly afford IVF and we don't want to put ourselves through that either.  We just felt we needed to draw the line somewhere.  With the Clomid, if it works, I have a 1 in 35 chance of conceiving twins (with Jason's family history).  I'm okay with that, especially if it means we will be able to have our own child again.  We are just asking all of our family and friends to pray for us!!  It has definately been a difficult struggle but it's a good feeling knowing you have support from the people you love.  We will keep you all posted!!

Blueberry Festival Fun

Every year over Labor Day weekend, Plymouth host the Marshall County Blueberry Festival.  If you've never been, it's full of food, rides, music/performances, and tons of craft booths.  This year was the first year that Bella got to walk like a big girl and not have to sit in the stroller.  She enjoyed getting to watch the older girls at Senter Stage (where she goes to dance class) perform and she also got to ride the carousel with Pappy.  We watched the fireworks at Uncle Joe and Aunt Chelle's house.  This is the first year she wasn't scared of them.  On Labor Day, we went to the parade.  Bella was excited to see the fire trucks and all the bands that marched.  Here are a couple pics of our fun: