Happy Halloween

One more Halloween post before the holiday is over. Melissa has thought, stressed and searched for costumes for Violet for Halloween I think since the day Violet was born. She finally settled on a poodle dog costume.

The only problem was Violet wanted nothing to do with it. I hate to admit that we forced her into this costume just to get a picture.

In the end she settled on the cheerleader outfit before heading off to her old neighborhood to Trick or Treat.

But we were able to get good use of the costume and dress Khloe in it. I tell you, you can do just about anything to this dog. Now Lola on the other hand would bite your hand off before she would allow this.

Pumpkin Carving

It's Halloween season and the Taylors are doing what everyone family does - carve pumpkins.

Violet thought this was pretty interesting as did both Khloe and Lola - of course Lola thought maybe this was some type of new food. Jamie even put his own spin on the pumpkin celebrating Royals fever here in Kansas City.

Lola and the Doggie Door

When Melissa and Jamie moved into their new house they decided to install a doggie door so the puppies could go in and out and they chose. Khloe is delighted to run in and out but Lola is another story.

She's not too keen on having to do things on her own. She'd much rather have someone open the door for her. But her curiosity gets the best of her and she'll eventually go out the door. Today she's checking to see if maybe she needs a sweater before she goes out. That's our Lola!

Michael Goes to the World Series

Game 6 of the World Series and Michael is at the game leaving his Mom, girlfriend, sister and brother-in-law at home to watch the game on TV. I don't know any details on how he got a ticket but my guess is he's working his VIP Host job for Harrah's.

It's only the top of the 5th inning but the Royals are ahead of the Giants 8-0. Let's hope this early post doesn't jinx the outcome of the game.

Michael & Ashley - Sporting KC

So many sporting events right now in Kansas City. Karen and I went to the Chiefs game. The Royals are playing the 5th game of the World Series in San Francisco.

And Michael and Ashley went to the Sporting KC soccer game. Looks like no one else showed up for the game - but they just got there early.

Violet Makes Muffins

While Karen and I were at the Chiefs game Violet was home making muffins.

This was here first time but I hear the muffins were delicious.

Then she had to brag about them. Hopefully she'll save me one..

CHIEFS!!!!!

Here it is the end of October and I have a sunburn.

Karen and I went to the Chiefs game today and the temperature was 85 degrees. Plus our seats were in the blazing sun.

Dad dropped us off at the gate and we walked and we walked and we walked to the other side of the stadium to meet up with friends from high school - Nancy and Todd Walters and their daughter Paige. We didn't get there until 11:00 - Todd had been there since 7:30 a.m. So we were a little late getting any food.

I see this guy all the time in Chiefs game pictures. As it turns out I also went to high school with him - Monte Short. It's a little hard to see but there are arrows sticking out of the opposing team's jersey. His take on being a Chiefs fan.

My other goal for the day was to find Marlo Gerber Simpson. Marlo and her family lived across the street from us when we were growing up. I spent many a night babysitting Marlo and her older brother and sister.

Karen and I left during the middle of the third quarter. There was such a big crowd and with Dad picking us up I didn't want to get caught in the rush to leave. Karen had a sore foot so we found a courtesy golf cart that dropped us off at the gate so our walk back was much shorter. By the way the Chiefs won against the St Louis Rams - 34-7. Not much of a knuckle biter!

Khloe Learns to Dance

It's must be pretty boring over at the Taylor house. Jamie just sent me this video of Khloe dancing.

Poor Lola. She's trying but she just can't get her big booty up. Way to go Khloe!

The Taylors Visit the Pumpkin Patch

Also last week the Taylors made their annual Halloween trip to the pumpkin patch.

Carolyn's Pumpkin Patch is located in Liberty, MO and is a great crowd pleaser during the Halloween season.

There's so much for kids to do. Feed the goats. Jamie said Violet walked around clutching goat feed in her hand. I guess she wanted to make sure the goats had plenty of snacks for later. Either that or she was hungry herself.

Go down the slide.

Take funny pictures in a life-size cutout.

Or just hang around with Mom sitting on pumpkins.

But after a while even the pumpkin patch gets boring and it's time to go home.

Whitney's Wedding

Last weekend Melissa, Jamie, Violet and I headed out to Haysville, KS to attend Whitney's wedding. Whitney is the daughter of my cousin Lesley.

We were a little skeptical how Violet would act with such a long car ride but she was darn near close to perfect.

As I was saying, Whitney is the daughter of my cousin Lesley who is the daughter of my Aunt Donna and Uncle Mike.

It's been quite some time since I've seen all my cousins. There's Kevin, Danny, Michele, Ronnie, Kathleen (Kevin's daughter), Shelley, Jim (Shelley's husband), Eric (Ronnie's son), me and Timmy. The only one missing is the mother of the bride, Lesley.

After a few hours of visiting we decided to pack Violet back in the car and head home.

Michele and Bruce had left about 15 minutes before us but when Jamie is ready to get home...well let's just say he's ready. We passed Michele and Bruce on the way then had to stop and get gas. As we were getting gas Melissa and I saw Michele and Bruce pass by on the hiway. Within 5 minutes of getting back on the hiway, we passed them again. Needless to say we got back to Kansas City almost an hour before Michele and Bruce made it to my house. Long day but great visit.

World Series Fever

It's been 29 years since the Royals have been in the World Series and you can sure tell it in Kansas City. After visiting with Aunt Pam in the hospital - she had her other knee replacement - Melissa, Violet and I headed to Rally House to get our World Series Royals shirts.

The store was jam packed with people and the selection wasn't the absolute best. But I think we got the best shirts available. It was a little hard trying to pick up shirts and hold Violet at the same time so Melissa set her down. I was following Violet around the store and she headed for the dressing rooms. So I thought she couldn't do much damage there. But then she shut the dressing room door. I didn't realize that the door would automatically lock - FROM THE INSIDE. I didn't know what to do. I was afraid to leave her by herself in the dressing room. But then I thought if I couldn't get her out no one else could take her. But then I saw Melissa and I called her over and ran to find someone to unlock Violet from the dressing room. It was really kind of funny but not when you saw the tears in her eyes. GO ROYALS!!!

Karen the Bird

I have a bird feeder on my deck and there's this red-headed sparrow that has been coming to feed all summer long. It is a regular brown sparrow except for it's bright red head. Melissa and I call the bird Karen because of the red head.

It's a little hard to see but I had to take the picture through the screen. Otherwise Karen flies away. Now Karen (the bird) sits most of the day guarding the bird feeder and chasing away all the other birds who try to get something to eat. Which really isn't like Karen (my sister) at all. Unless she's tired of cleaning up after the other birds eat. I do see the bird cleaning up all the shells the other birds have dropped. I guess that would make me mad too if I was constantly cleaning up after everyone. Thanks for the help Karen!

Halloween Decorating

I go crazy decorating for Christmas...Halloween not so much. But now that Violet is getting bigger I decided to do a bit of decorating for Halloween.

Outside I had Jamie string a spider web across the front porch with a giant spider that lights up orange at night. Inside I have the haunted house that Mom and Dad made years ago and a fiber optic jack-o-lantern. Violet wasn't too interested in the giant spider. The haunted house she was a bit afraid of. The fiber optic jack-o-lantern was fun for awhile. But her favorite was going through my cabinets looking for a snack. Pray the rain doesn't destroy my spider.