Weekend Rewind~Cardinals, Pumpkins, & a Date Night!

Last week it didn't seem like we had much planned for this weekend, but as I'm sitting here going through pictures & thinking of everything that happened...it was a pretty jam-packed October weekend.  

Friday I stayed home from work because both of our babysitters (aka Elyse's grandma's) were out of town and she's to the point where taking her to the office with me just isn't really a feasible option anymore.  I'll always take the excuse to stay home and play with my baby girl...and I did manage to do about an hour's worth of work during her morning nap.  

Friday evening I drove down & met Hubby at my parents' house for dinner & to watch the St. Louis Cardinals game.  We ordered in pizza & I brought dessert...PW's Quick & Easy Apple Tart.  Kendra posted about this recipe last week & it seemed so easy that I couldn't wait to try it!  It truly was delicious & super fast...well, it was super fast if I hadn't had to make it a second time since I mistakenly grabbed the Ground CUMIN out of the cabinet instead of the Ground CINNAMON!  I wanted to add some cinnamon to the top & yeah...cumin is completely different from cinnamon!  Thankfully I still had the ingredients to whip it up a second time!  

The Cardinals game was really anything but exciting if you're a Cards fan, but we still had a good evening with my parents!

I'd like to say that she was actually giving this look to the puppies outside, but I have a feeling I just managed to catch her in a funny transition!  Either way, it's hilarious!

The ladies of the house, me, Gigi, & Elyse!

I wish Elyse didn't go to bed so early, she was much more entertaining than the baseball game!  

Unfortunately we lost, but we're still hopeful for a repeat trip to the World Series....but we're gonna have to win it on the road!

Saturday morning we had some fun playtime with Elyse before Hubby headed out for his LONG, 12 mile, training run.  I put Elyse down for her nap & worked around the house while Hubby was gone.  I also admired my new diaper bag purchase...Vera Bradley's new Messenger Baby Bag in Ribbons.  I've never actually been a Vera Bradley fan, but I actually really love this bag & I think that cross-body bags are a must with a baby!  

After Hubby's run, we loaded up the car & headed to a local pumpkin patch.  It's actually owned & ran by some good family friends & one of my high school classmates was taking family fall pictures on Saturday.  We met up with my parents and took some fun pictures of Elyse with all the pumpkins & fall decor! 

Right after the visit to the pumpkin patch, we sent Elyse home with my parents & headed out.  Elyse was having a sleepover with my parents anyway so Hubby & I decided to make a day of it and run several errands before our evening plans.  We stopped at 7-8 different places and it was an afternoon that would have taken 3 weeks to complete if we'd had Elyse with us!  It was an extremely productive afternoon and just a fun time to hang out together sans baby.

Saturday night we had made plans to have dinner with our pastor & his wife (Tony & Dana) & another couple (Brandon & Jacinda) who are connected to us in several ways including small group, church, & high school friends of mine!  We went to the Branson Landing for dinner at Cantina Laredo.  It was a super fun evening and so nice to not have to worry about Elyse for an entire evening.

Dana, myself, & Jacinda 

This morning we went to church with my parents so we could pick up Elyse & then spent the rest of the day at home.  We had some quality fun with Elyse, did some laundry & Hubby worked in the yard all before heading off to small group.  A pretty typical Sunday, but exactly what we needed after a busy day yesterday.

One of our stops yesterday was to pick up a new toy for Elyse...a walker that will double as a stroller for her baby dolls!  She loves it already!

Of course she also loved sitting on top of the toy box & just laughing...she was throwing her head back & laughing at me!  

Hubby also did a few honey-do things in Elyse's room, which included hanging this shelf.  One of my good friends (Brandon, who went to dinner with us) made this shelf for me which I almost paid $$$ for instead!  It's exactly what I wanted and he did such a great job.

It's perfect for books right next to the chair in Elyse's room!

Elyse's reading corner is complete...check out my little bookworm reading in the floor!  

 Hope you all are enjoying the beautiful fall color!  I always have to snap a picture of the tree in our backyard, it's always gorgeous this time of year!  

Now, if only my St. Louis Cardinals can pull this one out...otherwise we're looking at Game 7 tomorrow night for a trip to the World Series!