Days With Kate: Gertie

Dear Kate,

Halloween 2013 proved to be one of my favorite so far. I was quite proud of your costume, not to mention you were as cute as can be. Back in the summer, I put your hair in pigtails and instantly I knew what had to be done... Gertie for Halloween - no question about that. Gertie you ask - oh, yes, see at this point in time you have no clue who I am referring to. That would be Gertie from E.T., who is also known as Drew Barrymore. Here's her in the movie...

And then there is you. Spitting image, huh, well, I personally think you are a smidge cuter, but who am I to judge...

Our Halloween this year consisted of several activites, including a trip to Zoo Boo, or whatever it is called (i.e. Halloween party at the zoo!). We waved this event last year since your sister wasn't too fond of dressed up characters, but this year we thought we could pull it off, and we did! Hooray! We met Kipper and his crew there and Mimi joined us, too. We had fun on the hayride and riding the carousel and, of course, trick or treating at all the 'scary' spots!

And it's not a party unless you have some dancing!

You found two Ariels and decided they made good dance partners...

But Sister was by far the best!

Towards the end, they had a costume contest. Sister saw the Weather Penguin and decided this was one contest she could lose but you had a different idea. You wanted to win win win! So we waited in line...

And, well, let's just say you changed your mind...

We had a fun night at the zoo!

On a Saturday afternoon, we went to Kingston Springs where a lot of Daddy's family lives and had a fall family reunion bonfire, including a hayride!

Mommy and Daddy went on the first ride and we got to see horses and all the land that Daddy's family has, but then you got to go on a second ride without Mommy! You were super excited and Caroline promised to take good care of you.

While on the ride, I received this picture text from Uncle Martin!

On Sunday, we headed to the annual Pumpkin Festival in downtown Franklin. We opted out for wearing our costumes because we weren't going to be there too long (and it was a little chilly), but you and Sister enjoyed yourselves anyway! And, it wouldn't be a Pumpkinfest if we didn't see our pals Ryan and Jake!

You fed some rabbits, too...

You also had a Halloween party at school. You got to wear your costume and see all your friends dressed up too. You were mainly interested in showing off how strong Gertie could be...

And how much fun she can have on a playground!

E.T. had fun, too!
We also had our annual pumpkin carving and Daddy enjoyed grossing us all out!

You and Sister did a great job getting all the 'guts' out.

And at the end we had a super scary ghost pumpkin (Sister's choice this year!).

On Halloween, Sister had a party at her school and you got to join her! You were VERY excited to sit with her at her lunch table and actually eat lunch!

Then to top it off, you got to sit with her friends for story time!

The big kids went on to a carnival while we hung back in the room and Uncle Jaybee and Kipper surprised us. It was funny watching you and Kipper play in Sister's classroom. You two will both be in this class before we know it!

SO... This was Halloween, like as in October 31st, a Thursday. We had a party at Sister's school, then we were planning on having everyone over for trick or treating. Well... the weather was C-R-A-Z-Y this year with really really bad storms, so most of the neighborhoods were postponing the trick or treating until Friday. Our neighborhood decided Friday was probably the best option considering tornados and bad rain were in the forecast right at T or T time! To say the least, this was the best idea!
So, instead we ran to Publix AND low and behold they had fun Halloween activities, including games you play for candy and cookie decorating!

That night, instead of trick or treating, you helped make chili and Christmas Crack, oh, and helped Sister build a tower with all my groceries...

Since it was awful outside to trick or treat, it was suggested maybe we go to the mall. Ummmm... NO THANK YOU! This was from Facebook!

It all worked out just perfect actually! On Friday, it was a beautiful day and everyone was able to join us for some trick or treating! AND, for the first time in the history of mankind, we were able to get all 6 of you in a picture together!!! Look how cute everyone is!