Illinois Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day was spent driving to Illinois and visiting with Kevin's extended family. Of course, one of the highlights is seeing Great-grandma Beasley. She is such a happy woman and Camden enjoys playing at her house and dancing around the living room. But she also just likes sitting on her lap and laughing

Since it's Kevin's 40th Birthday this year (in 2 weeks), we decided to surprise him with a birthday party with his family. We all had to rub it in that he has now joined the "Over the Hill" gang. Everybody bought funny cards and we enjoyed some birthday cake (on top of all the other desserts - oh my!)

Such a good day!

Gobble, Gobble

Grandma's Girl

Grandma French has been watching Camden a lot recently. It's hunting season, so on Kevin's days off, he needs to be in the woods. Grandma (or "GaGa" as she is affectionately called by Camden) watches baby girl for us. She has snapped a lot of pictures in their time together. Some of them are similar to others that have been posted, but they are still adorable and deserved a post. Like this trick-or-treating pose...I forgot how big that hair was!

Camden has also begun to show off her dance skills. She twirls in circles, she swings her arms, she does her best flashdance foot stomps. The fireplace (and a cheerleading outfit) seemed to prompt her to take center stage.

She also loves to rock in the child's rocking chair or on the rocking horse.

Camden's cousin Amanda stops by frequently and helps to spoil her a bit. They especially like to read books together. Camden can't wait for Amanda's baby to be born this spring (the first great-grandchild) so she has a playmate close to her age!

Probably Camden's favorite "toy" at Grandma's is the cow that covers the vacuum cleaner. It stays in Grandma's bedroom, but if Camden ever gets the chance, she sneeks into the room and gives the cow a hug or two.

Finally, Camden has discovered that Grandma has the best food! She likes to eat leftover breakfast (bisquits and eggs) or anything that Grandma will give her. Recently she even helped her GaGa make some cookies.

She is definitely Grandma's girl.

Glamorous Farmer

Accessories make the outfit. Camden always has her trusted pacifier (or "nippy"), but since she was in her overalls, her dad decided she needed a straw hat.

Camden decided that no farmer in there right mind would consider their outfit complete until they were fully decked out...in bright mauve boots and cool shades.

She's so glamorous...even if the sunglasses are upside down!

C'mon Purdue

We try to do our part to support our local football team. It's sure been a rollercoaster season for the Boilermakers, but at least they have some cute cheerleaders.


She was a blur while trying to get these pictures. She likes to go, go, go. The refrigerator slowed her down for a minute. She's so curious.

A loaf of bread enticed her to stop for a second.

Brushing her teeth didn't make a difference.

I guess the good news is our other local team is the Colts!

Take a Niece to Work

I kept Camden home from daycare on Wednesday because she has had a bad cold. Through the night she had been snoring and wheezing which made me think I didn't need to expose other children to stuff when everyone is already so inundated with viruses. I did, however, need to run to Purdue and get some work I had to get done for the next day. Camden hadn't seen her Aunt Carole in a long time, so we made a quick detour to the Ag Building.

Camden couldn't keep her hands off all the cool "toys" that were on Aunt Carole's desk.

Camden loved her visit (and I think her Aunt thought it was pretty terrific, as well).

I Wanna Be a Cowgirl

Camden wore the boots her Grandma gave her on Sunday. I thought with the skirt she looked like a little cowgirl.

How appropriate that she wanted to ride her horse, Elmo. She doesn't usually need any coaching, but dad had to help her get going.

Happy, Happy, Happy

Camden amazes me all the time. I can't believe how much she understands and how much she can convey to us. She copies all that we say and do...so is expanding her knowledge and vocabulary all the time.

She hears a dog...and says, "Woof, woof" to let us know about it.

She wants to eat...and goes to the kitchen and stands in front of her high chair and pats it.

She goes to the computer and points to the on/off button...and shakes her head "No," because she knows she is not suppose to touch it.

But my two favorite thing she says now are "Yummy, yummy, yummy" and "Happy, happy, happy." Obviously the first one is in response to food she has tried - and sometimes if she sees us eating something she wants to try. But the second is just a state of being for her.

The first time I caught her saying it was about 3 weeks ago. I put her in the bath tub for her evening bath and she started saying something in a whisper. I leaned in and heard, "happy, happy, happy." She just kept saying it over and over. I wasn't sure if she meant it or it was just a new babble. But she says it when she gets home and starts playing with her toys. Or when I pick her up in the evening, put her in my lap, and start reading her a book. She actually says it alot. And I would agree...she is a very happy girl...and she just wants to let us know.

She has also started to blow kisses and give lots of hugs and even some real kisses when she wants. She is a very loving, happy, expression little girl.

I have no new pictures today...but was sitting at work thinking of my little sweetheart.

Oh...and she went to the doctor for a check-up (and three more shots)...at 15 months she weighs 23lbs 4oz. and is 31" long. Her head and height are somewhere just shy of the 75th percentile and her weight just above the 50th. Right on track!

A Clown and Her Loot

Camden was a hit on the trick-or-treating circuit in Waveland. We loaded our clown up in her wagon and set off on a beautiful fall evening.

We set out to just see Papaw and Grandma and Grandpa. And they couldn't get enough of the rosy cheeked girl.

Grandma even got Camden a real treat....new boots! She didn't inherit it from me, but this little squirt LOVES her shoes.

Here in this tiny town, people sit on their porches to pass out candy and every home we passed wanted to see the "adorable" clown.

A few of the firemen were out at the volunteer station and, of course, we needed to stop and see them!

At the end of the evening, Camden had quite a stash of candy.

We did let her sample a few bits of her treats (but she had to fight mommy and daddy for the Mounds & Reese's).

We captured a few fun video moments. The first is Camden relishing in her bucket of candy.

I'm not sure where or when she had a lollipop before, but she sure seemed to like it.

Can you understand what she likes even more than candy?

It was such a fun halloween with our silly little clown. We love you!