Hello All!  October has been a very busy month for us.  We spent a couple of weeks sick and that was not much fun.  Laura got an ear infection and then a separate virus that caused vomiting.  Andy had some sort of cold with a cough.  I got the virus that Laura had most likely because I was so worn down from being up with her at all hours of the night.  The Kassel family is all well now though and doing well.

We had a great time tailgating at the Mizzou versus Nebraska game.  Mizzou beat the crap out of Nebraska and Andy and B really enjoyed the game!  Our friend, Jeremy, who was in town for the game is a big Nebraska fan and so the game wasn't so much fun for him.  It was still a good weekend and it was great to see him.

This past Friday, Andy and I went to the Davenport Society Banquet for the College of Business.  It is a black tie event to honor donors to the College of Business.  The food is always very good and it was a very nice time.  We got a night out with each other and we haven't had that in a very long time.  On Saturday, we took Laura to McCoy's Pumpkin Farm in Centralia, MO.  She had a great time petting the animals, riding in the wagon, and picking out pumpkins.  We wore her out though!  She slept all the way home.

This week, I'm in Indianapolis for the National FFA Convention.  I'll be working the career show for three days.  It will be a long three days, but it is always a good time.  I really missed coming to this convention last year because I had just returned to work from maternity leave.  It is hard being away from Andy and Laura for four days though.  I know they will be fine and Andy was looking forward to some Daddy-daughter time.

Other than all of that, Laura is walking all over the place.  She is also starting to talk much more.  We know that she is saying Mama, Dada, and up.  We are pretty sure she has said more and water, as well.  I'm sure there are some other words she has used too, but it can be really hard to tell what she is saying sometimes.  I'm very much looking forward to next week and Halloween.  Laura will make the cutest dragon!  We will take her trick-or-treating at a few houses and we will make sure to take pictures!