Happy Halloween!

Does this look like three cases of H1N1, one ear infection, two cases of bronchitis, and temperatures up to 104.2 to you?
I didn't think so!

We may have been sick for the last two weeks (and counting!), but we still know how to have a good Halloween!
Love,
The Farmer Girl,
Spiderman,
and a pig

Pure Contentment

There are very few pictures of me like this. I'm the one that usually snaps the photos, seeing a "moment" and wanting to capture it. At the moment this picture was taken, I felt completely content. I asked Duncan to catch it on the camera so I could look back and remember:
Contentment.
Freshly bathed babes,
snuggling up against me,
enjoying a bedtime story.
Moments like these make the weeks of illness we've be dealing with, and other times like it, so worth it. Duncan made this the desktop photo on our computer. Seeing it nearly requires an attitude of thankfulness. And that's what I am. Thankful. And content.

Oooooooh, so content.

Homemade Dough

From a dough-making session of last month--

I love that Duncan is seen making bread in the background. That particular batch had little bits of blue dye it it. Go figure.

Ya gotta love afternoons spent like this.

Baltimore Zoo

I don't care what anyone says. The Baltimore Zoo, which we visited back in August for the first time, is way better for kids than the National Zoo. Don't get me wrong, I like the National Zoo, I just think the one in Baltimore is better for kids. Everything is closer together and the animals are easier to spot for the pre-school set. And they have a midway. With rides. I'm just sayin'.

3,2,1

baby elephant

square tea cups!

Violet the Pilot! (I'm a poet and...)

Linus had a good time, but ManWithLongLegs? Notsomuch.

Our baby orioles in their nest...

turned into baby herons in their nest.

farm aminals!

ride 'em cowboy and cowgirls!

The bronze lion wasn't too hot to sit on as we left--the temp had dropped about 20 degrees as the storm (which started as we were putting the stroller in the trunk) rolled in.

But Violet was too tired for the bronze lion. She sipped pink lemonade instead.

Since our visit was free with our aquarium membership, my biggest issue with the Baltimore Zoo was solved. (Why go to a zoo that charges admission when there's a free one right down the road?) But I would totally pay to go again. It's the perfect zoo for little legs.
Good times.

Happy Father's Day: Game Four With Nancy

This happened so long ago, that we've had another date night since. It's just how blogging is going to go for now, I guess.
Duncan and I completed his Father's Day gift by attending one of the Nationals' last home games of the season. We spent a lot of time eating which is how we like our baseball games--full of junk food. We documented our food experiences:

sausage and peppers

chicken nachos

some funnel cake

and a peanut (one of many. This was just an ode to Violet.)

And just to prove that it wasn't all about the food, here's a little baseball shot. Or would that be shotty baseball?
Abe showed up in our section, after losing the Presidential Race.

He paused for a minute to let me have my photo taken with him.

customary self-portrait

score board

And one more self-portrait on the way to the Metro station.
While the Nats lost and there were countless horrible plays, it was an exciting and close game overall. We had a good time and look forward to spending many summer (and early fall) evenings at the baseball game in the future.

And for a little trip down Father's Day memory lane, click on the links below:
Duncan receiving his gift on Father's Day morning.
Game One with Amelie.
Game Two with Violet.
Game Three with Linus.

A Royal Party

Late one afternoon...

waiting for dinner and daddy...

...we ventured into the world of princes...

...and princesses...

...and queens...

Alright, so that last one is a stretch. But you have to admit that it's fun to pretend.

Happy Wednesday!

Murillo Mystery: Solved!

Thanks for all of your guesses!
Yes, I know what it is! This was just my lame attempt at engaging you readers out there. Most of you were on the right track. Although...intimate underwear? Really anonymous?

Thursday afternoon was a sad, sad day for me. As I hurriedly emptied the dishwasher, the crock part of the crockpot slipped out of my hand and fell just two feet to the ground, onto the throw rug that we keep by the sink. It broke into the many pieces you can see here.

Just a few days prior, I was sharing with all that would listen just how much I loved my crock pot. I actually inherited it upon marrying Duncan. I believe it was given to him by his brother and sister-in-law. (Am I right, Ian and Stef?) It allows me to make my simple dinners in the morning or at lunch time and it frees up so much time here at the Salada home. So when it broke last Thursday a genuine pout could be seen on my face. Sensing a blog-worthy even, I snapped a few pictures and cleaned up the mess. I shared the sad news with Duncan as soon as he got home from work. He then suggested we could go and buy a new one, then and there--even though a babysitter was coming so we could catch a baseball game! My depression must have been most evident. I insisted I could wait and that we should follow through with our original plan.

May she rest in "piece."
(Teehee)

On Friday night, armed with a 15% off coupon, we took a family trip to Kohls with the intent to scope out the crockpot selection. We discovered this bigger-than-the-old-one-floor-model-with-no-box on sale for 60% off of its original price. The tag said 49.99 with a sale price of 19.99! And another 15% off of that for a total of 16.99 + tax! How's that for a deal?

We brought her home, cleaned her up and she's ready to go. She was going to get her first run tonight, but Duncan suggested we hit Chick-fil-a after our family flu shot appointment. I think he's such a wise man. So, she'll have to wait until tomorrow. I'm sure she won't disappoint.

Murillo Mystery

This is a roll call of sorts. Never left a comment? Consider trying to solve this Murillo Mystery!

Any guesses as to what the above photo shows?