I know, I know....this update is long overdue. For journal purposes, I'm going to try to do a brief update of the past couple months, so here goes...

It's a good thing Derek & I are such kids at heart. We get to break out all of our old toys & put them to use again...ahhh....

After living in Arizona for two years now - (Yah, can you believe it? Our 2 year mark was the middle of October!) - Anyway, I'm finally getting in the mindset of the weather here. After what seemed like a summer that would never end, it has finally started to cool off. Now, even as of a week or two ago, it was still hitting the mid-90's, so "cooling off" is a term used very loosely. I get very excited when it is in the 50's -60's and I can pull out the sweatshirts. Yes, most days we are still wearing short sleeves & carpis. Growing up in Utah and the snow, this just doesn't seem right. It is great that we can go and enjoy the outdoors, though. This is the time of year that kids play outside, we can take walks, go to the park, roll the car windows down, and we actually see and converse with our neighbors. It's great & we're definitely taking advantage.

Ashlyn loves going outside to play and to take walks. If we could only keep her from running out in the street, and I literally mean running, then we would have a lot more peace of mind when the front door opens. Luckily, we have a very private, gated, & walled back yard, so she can roam out there all she wants.

Some neighbors down the street were having a yard sale last month. We happened to pass by & got this great playhouse & slide for next to nothing. Go ahead, take a guess.....okay, I'll tell you....$8.00 ea!!! I was so excited. They're a little beat up, but that would happen anyway & this way they're already broken in. Now that some little friends have come over and helped Ashlyn learn how to play with them, she loves it! She'll always come ask me while pointing to the patio door, "ide?"(outside)? How can I resist? Then she'll go get my shoes & bring them to me so I'll go out with her. It's the sweetest thing. She always brings me the right and matching pairs too. Oh, I just love that she's getting older and so interactive!

I'm assuming it's because the weather is so hot that State Fair is held late in the year. It ran for 3 weeks the end of October through the first of November.

For our Oct. Pulsipher Family Fun Day, we wanted to go check out the Fair & take Ashlyn to see all the animals. We were a bit disappointed in the lack of animals and the overwhelming amount of concessions, games, & rides. We don't do rides or the concessions & games, so we quickly walked through to see it all. We saw lots of Llamas & sheep, which Ashlyn liked to imitate when she heard them "baa". The best part, though, was the petting zoo area for the kids. It was a free-roaming area filled with sheep, llamas, goats, and a few baby pigs & kangaroos. It was so great! We could walk right up to the animals.

Ashlyn kept her distance for about the first 5 minutes. Not quite sure what to think...Then when she realized it wasn't so bad, she started getting up close & personal with the goats. She'd keep squealing, pointing, and chasing after them. That was the most entertaining part of the day for Derek & I. We had to go back for a second time before going home.

A goat eating my bracelet...

Fear no more...

Can you say personal space?...

Tickling Daddy...

At our ward Trunk-or-Treat, Derek stayed at the car to pass out the candy and I took Ash around the parking lot. It was really kinda pointless 'cause she was thrilled with the first sucker she got and could have cared less about anything more. At least she looked cute while walking (or running) around! Although we didn't get any pics of Derek in his football jersey & me in my cheer leading get-up, we did manage to snap a couple shots of our little ladybug the few moments she was holding still. I love Ebay!

Ashlyn has been really into the Playhouse Disney shows. I left her watching those while I went to the bathroom & suddenly I heard little hands in the candy dish. I thought that she was just reaching up on the counter & was going to pull the dish down on top of her. I came out to find her sitting on top of the counter with sticky Juicyfruits everywhere and a big ol' smile on her face. And yes, that is Christmas decorations you can see that we already have up. Gotta make the season last as long as possible!

Last, but not least, I was helping with a dinner for a funeral last week and Ashlyn was of course doing her best to help out. She was watching me cut up lemons for the water and kept asking for one. This is what happened...

She normally only has pacifiers when she sleeps & we keep them put up the rest the time, but I was being a bit lenient....she was getting over a bout of Strep Throat from a few days before. Yah, never believe it when you hear that kids under two can't get it! Antibiotics are fabulous! She must have a low immune system & I'm afraid the sick season's just starting. Better get more vitamins!

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!! Can't wait to come up for some cooler weather and to see everyone!!!