Eckert's Farm

It's almost a tradition! This is Lilie's second year of scoring late-season pumpkins and apples with the Bennett family at Eckert's Farm in Grafton. (www.eckerts.com)

It was a great day. I checked the weather forecast, and saw that we were headed for a high near eighty degrees. I failed to take into account that it wouldn't *be* that warm in the morning, and forgot that the farm is actually perpetually windy... We kept Lilie covered in a blanket or sweater for the first part of our adventure...

On to the pictures!

Liliana picked out her outfit, but we refused to let her accessorize with a flashlight...

The Bennett women.

The rest of the party.

The obligatory arm's-length self-pic.

On the tractor - getting closer!

We learned two things: first, crocs don't work well at the orchard.  Second, dandelions are more intriguing than apples...

Brian saw a *really good apple*, and Lilie was glad to help.

First, she peeled the apples.  Then, she threatened Katie with the knife!

Yummy apples -

but don't you hate it when it gets caught in your teeth?

Chloe found two pumpkins that had fused together....

...and it took two seconds for the girls to turn them into a bum-joke.

This is the point where Lilie had enough of the camera.

Uncle Brian explains, "Camel spit is actually really good for your skin."

"Thanks for joining me on another episode of the 'Pig Whisperer'."

"They have ponies!!!  Can I ride one?"

Uncle Brian, spoiling Lilie...

I found a chicken feather, and Marci *really* didn't enjoy it as much as I did.

Neither did Katie.  They think chicken have lice.

As we left, Lilie shouted, "Bye pumpkins! We come pick you next year!  Bye pigs, bye apples..."

Mega Photo Upload

Yes, I know. It has been almost a month since we last posted pictures. We just wanted to build the suspense. :) So without further ado:

Lilie actually fell asleep during a bike ride

Brianna, Lilie, and Uncle Brian at the MO Botanical Gardens.  Lilie shows off what she does best:  wiggle

Lilie letting the wind blow bubbles

Lori and Lilie blowing bubbles

Lori, Brianna, Marci, and me at our very windy-yet totally fun-picnic at the park

Followed by our windy-yet totally tasty-frozen custard run to Bobby's

The Bennetts looking so cute!

Aunt Marci helps Lilie fix her hair.  I'm not exactly sure what emotion Lilie was trying to convey to the camera here but it's pretty funny. 

Lilie and her good friend Payton

Lilie dressed up for her first St. Louis Cardinals game.  Not too happy...

Until she gets her milk and her baby, then she's Good. To. Go.

Liliana has a little bit of an obsession with fire hydrants and loves to point them out wherever we go.  So it only seemed appropriate to take her picture next to one while we had some free time. 

Yes, I did actually let her leave the house in this outfit.  Sometimes you just have to pick your battles, right?

Brayden explains something to Lilie.  You can tell it's important by his gesticulation. 

Cutie-putie pie!

Under the table was the hottest place to be in the hospital waiting area.

Silly Brianna takes a picture of someone taking her picture. 

A little sleepy....

A little sulky...

A little delirious. 

Army-crawling quickly away from the offensive Cubs blanket. 
"Don't worry, Brayden!  I'll come back for you once I get the pig to safety!"

Elmo helps Liliana read her book.

Liliana adores a book that contains rubber cats that squeak and stick their tongues out when you squeeze them.  Here, I squeeze her and she does her impression. 

Peek-a-boo

I see you!

Sweet baby Emily bug (or as I affectionately refer to her:  EmGo)

Funny faces.  This was actually a lot harder to coordinate than you'd think with a pair of two-year-olds.

Baby toes