Trick or Treating - 2011

This year for her costume, Mallory was inspired by her new favorite book "Dirty Joe the Pirate".

Prior to heading outside, Mom and Mal put the finishing touches on her costume.

Once the candy holder was in place, the costume was complete. You won't find a tougher pirate around.

Papa Larry guarded the house while we went out and got candy. Mallory wasn't too keen on sharing her sucker.

After the trick or treating was over, Mallory had even more fun waiting for kids to come to the door. And she is even stingier than Daddy when it comes to passing out candy.

And of course, the main lesson of Halloween is "Safety first, kids."

Halloween Party - 2011

The family went for a little Halloween pre-party over to the Wayzata ECFE event.

Mallory and her friend Addison got to decorate their own pumpkins.

Pirate Mallory shows off her pumpkin.

Of course, we still had time to go over to the large motor room to try out some of the cool toys.

And rock out on the guitar.

Pumpkin Carving

And once we got the pumpkin home, Mallory was actually pretty excited this year to help carve it.
Mallory traced a nice pattern so Dad knew where to carve the top.

And she even helped get down and dirty in scooping out the seeds (for a little while, at least).

We borrowed Mom quickly for a photo op...

...before Mallory decided that she was a big girl and could take care of it all by herself.

Pumpkin Patch - '11

Come mid October, the Held's went on their annual tradition: a trip to Baker National Golf Course to spend Steve's pro shop winnings, followed by a trip up the road to Scherer's Pumpkin Patch.
How are we ever going to decide with all these choices?

Eventually, Mallory and Dad picked out a winner.

Mom helped hoist it into the wagon.

Luckily, Mallory helped steer Dad and the pumpkin back to the car. Otherwise, who knows where we would have ended up.

Haircut

Now that Mallory is 3 1/2 (read: a Big Girl), she has been going and getting her own haircuts.

She does a good job at sitting still in the chair...

...and listening to directions.

And who can argue with the result.

Apple Orchard 2011

In October, we took our annual trip with Bobo and Brian to the Apple Jack Orchards. We will see how this works next year with 4 kids instead of just 1...

Mallory got to see how tall she was, but...

...she still needed a little help from Dad to get to some of the apples.

Here she is doing a quick taste test on some of the merchandise.

And springing out from behind a tree to surprise the rest of the gang.

Gopher Football Game

On a mild fall Saturday afternoon, Mallory got to do something her father (alumni, former men's athletics employee) has yet to do: see a football game at TCF Bank Stadium.

The gang got together for a quick photo in the midst of a rare Gopher home victory.

Mallory had a good view of Goldy while hanging with Poppa Jim.

Of course, Mallory thinks it is against the rules to go to any athletic event and not have popcorn.

Dance Class

This fall, Mallory started a new dance class on Saturday mornings at the Plymouth Creek Center.
She got to do some ballet...

..and tap dancing (which is just as loud as it sounds).

The class also gave Mallory the opportunity to wear her leotard, which is always at the top of her list.